Maine Mechanic's Lien Template

Filing Deadline

Subcontractors/suppliers (no direct contract with owner) must record a Notice of Lien (sworn certificate) in the county Registry of Deeds within 90 days after ceasing to labor, furnish materials, or perform services. ALL claimants (including general contractors with a direct owner contract) must commence a court action to enforce the lien within 120 days of last furnishing labor/materials/services. GCs are NOT required to record at the Registry — the lawsuit itself preserves their lien.

Clock starts: The clock starts on the date the claimant last performed labor, last furnished materials, or last performed services on the project (not invoice date, not contract end date).

Where to Record

County Registry of Deeds in the county where the property is located. For Maine's largest county (Cumberland), the office is at 25 Pearl Street, Portland, ME 04101 (phone 207-871-8389). Most Maine registries accept in-person, mail, and e-recording submissions. Flat recording fee is $40 per document as of 2026 (verify current fees with the specific registry). Note: General contractors with a direct owner contract do NOT record — they file suit directly in Superior or District Court.

Notarization

Required — document must be sworn before a notary.

10 M.R.S. § 3253 requires the certificate to be 'subscribed and sworn to' by the claimant — meaning a notarial jurat (oath), not merely an acknowledgment. The generator must produce a jurat block (not

Service Requirement

After recording, a copy of the lien certificate must be served on the property owner(s) by ordinary mail. A U.S. Post Office certificate of mailing is statutorily declared sufficient proof of service (10 M.R.S. § 3253). Certified mail is not required (Maine is unusual here), but obtaining and retaining the certificate of mailing is mandatory evidence. Service is only required for non-direct claimants who record at the Registry; GCs preserve their lien by filing the enforcement action and serving the complaint.