Missouri Mechanic's Lien Template

Filing Deadline

Six (6) months after the indebtedness accrued (i.e., last date claimant furnished labor or materials to the project). Equipment lessors on commercial projects over $5,000 have only 60 days from removal of equipment. Suit to enforce the lien must be filed within six (6) months after the lien is recorded (RSMo 429.170).

Clock starts: Last date claimant actually furnished labor or materials to the project (NOT invoice date, NOT punch-list/warranty/corrective work).

Where to Record

Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of the county in which the property (or the major part of the building/improvement) is located. NOTE: Missouri is unusual — liens are filed with the CIRCUIT COURT CLERK, not the County Recorder of Deeds. For property in the City of St. Louis, file with the Circuit Court Clerk of the City of St. Louis (the city is independent of any county). For St. Louis County, Jackson County (Kansas City), etc., file with that county's Circuit Court Clerk.

Notarization

Required — document must be sworn before a notary.

Missouri requires the lien statement to be VERIFIED by the oath of the claimant or some credible person — i.e., signed before a notary public. An unverified lien is void. The notary block must be prop

Service Requirement

No statutorily required post-recording service on the owner under RSMo Chapter 429 (the 10-day Notice of Intent under 429.100 is a PRE-filing requirement for non-original contractors). However, best practice — and effectively required to provoke payment or preserve evidence for the enforcement suit — is to send a stamped/recorded copy of the filed lien to the owner and the GC by certified mail, return receipt requested, promptly after recording. The enforcement lawsuit (which must be filed within 6 months of recording) requires formal service of process on all owners and other necessary parties under the Missouri Rules of Civil Procedure.