New Jersey Mechanic's Lien Template

Filing Deadline

Non-residential (commercial): lien claim must be lodged with the county clerk within 90 days from the last date the claimant provided work, services, materials, or equipment to the project. Residential: lien claim must be filed no later than 120 days from the last date of work AND no later than 10 days after receipt of the arbitrator's determination — whichever is earlier.

Clock starts: Last date claimant actually provided labor, services, materials, or equipment to the project (NOT date of invoice, NOT date of substantial completion). Punch-list and warranty/repair work generally do NOT restart the clock.

Where to Record

County Clerk's office in the county where the real property is physically located (e.g., Bergen County Clerk, One Bergen County Plaza, Room 110, Hackensack). Most counties require a recording cover sheet (or charge a $20 surcharge if omitted) and impose a $3 per-document state surcharge plus per-page recording fees. Margin and formatting requirements vary by county; some accept eRecording through Simplifile/CSC.

Notarization

Required — document must be sworn before a notary.

The lien claim form prescribed by N.J.S.A. 2A:44A-8 must be signed, acknowledged, AND verified by oath of the claimant before a notary. Critical quirk: the claimant's signature can only be substituted

Service Requirement

Within 10 DAYS of lodging the lien with the county clerk, the claimant MUST serve a copy of the recorded lien on (1) the property owner, (2) the community association if applicable, (3) the general contractor, and (4) any subcontractor through which claimant's contract derives. Service must be by personal delivery OR by simultaneous certified/registered mail (return receipt requested) AND regular first-class mail to the last known business address. Failure to serve within 10 days forfeits the lien.