Ohio Mechanic's Lien Template

Filing Deadline

Residential (1-2 family dwelling): 60 days from last day of work or material delivery. Commercial / non-residential: 75 days. Oil & gas / coal / mineral wells: 120 days. (ORC 1311.06)

Clock starts: Last date claimant actually furnished labor or materials to the project (punch-list and warranty work generally do not extend this date)

Where to Record

County Recorder's office in the county where the improved real property is physically located (ORC 1311.06). For Ohio's largest county, this is the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer / Recorded Documents (Cleveland). Recording fees are statutory and uniform statewide: $34 for the first two pages plus $8 per additional page (ORC 317.32, as updated). Each county may have minor formatting standards (margins, page size 8.5x11, legible black ink) — most enforce the statewide standardization document under ORC 317.114.

Notarization

Required — document must be sworn before a notary.

ORC 1311.06 expressly requires the lien affidavit to be sworn to and signed before a notary public or other officer authorized to administer oaths. The county recorder will reject an un-notarized affi

Service Requirement

After recording, the claimant MUST serve a copy of the recorded lien affidavit on the owner (or the owner's designee on the Notice of Commencement) within 30 days of recording (ORC 1311.07). Permitted service methods: (1) sheriff service, (2) certified or registered mail with return receipt, (3) personal service, or (4) any method authorized by Ohio Civil Rule 4.1. If, after reasonable effort, the owner cannot be served at the address shown on the Notice of Commencement, the claimant may post a copy in a conspicuous place on the property — but only after diligent inquiry. Failure to serve within 30 days renders the lien unenforceable.