Alabama Mechanics Lien Guide

Everything you need to know about filing a mechanics lien in Alabama — deadlines, requirements, costs, and a free document generator.

Generate Your Alabama Lien Document

Understanding Alabama Mechanics Lien Law

Alabama mechanics lien rights are governed by Ala. Code §§ 35-11-210 to 35-11-234. To file a mechanics lien in Alabama, you must record your claim with the Office of the Judge of Probate in the county where the property is located. The estimated recording fee is $25-$50, though fees vary by county.

Some claimant types in Alabama are required to send a preliminary notice before filing a lien. Check the requirements for your specific role below.

Alabama Mechanics Lien Deadlines by Role

Role	Preliminary Notice	Lien Filing Deadline
General Contractor	Not required	180 days from last furnishing
Subcontractor	30 days from before filing	120 days from last furnishing
Material Supplier	30 days from before filing	120 days from last furnishing

Use our deadline calculator to find your exact filing dates based on your project timeline.

Requirements by Role

General Contractor

Lien Deadline: 180 days from last furnishing
Preliminary Notice: Not required
Filing Office: Office of the Judge of Probate
Estimated Recording Fee: $25-$50
Statute Reference: Ala. Code §§ 35-11-210 to 35-11-234

GCs must file within 6 months of last furnishing. Must give unpaid balance notice to owner before filing.

Subcontractor

Lien Deadline: 120 days from last furnishing
Preliminary Notice: Required — 30 days from before filing
Filing Office: Office of the Judge of Probate
Estimated Recording Fee: $25-$50
Statute Reference: Ala. Code §§ 35-11-210 to 35-11-234

Subcontractors must file within 4 months of last furnishing. Must provide notice of unpaid lien to owner before filing.

Material Supplier

Lien Deadline: 120 days from last furnishing
Preliminary Notice: Required — 30 days from before filing
Filing Office: Office of the Judge of Probate
Estimated Recording Fee: $25-$50
Statute Reference: Ala. Code §§ 35-11-210 to 35-11-234

Suppliers must file within 4 months of last furnishing. Must provide notice of unpaid lien to owner before filing.

What You Need to File

Gather the following information before preparing your Alabama mechanics lien document:

✓Your full legal name (or business name)
✓Property owner's name
✓Property address (legal description preferred)
✓Description of work performed or materials supplied
✓Total amount owed
✓Name of the party who hired you

How to File a Mechanics Lien in Alabama

1
Send Your Preliminary Notice
Check whether your role requires a preliminary notice in Alabama. If required, send it within the specified deadline to preserve your lien rights. Learn more in our preliminary notice guide.
2
Gather Your Documentation
Collect all required information including contract details, payment records, and property information. See the checklist above for the complete list.
3
Prepare Your Lien Document
Use our free Alabama lien generator to create a state-compliant mechanics lien document with all required fields.
4
Record with the Office of the Judge of Probate
File your completed lien document with the Office of the Judge of Probate in the county where the property is located. Expect to pay approximately $25-$50 in recording fees.
5
Serve Notice on the Property Owner
After recording, serve a copy of the filed lien on the property owner as required by Alabama law. Keep proof of service for your records.

Important Notes for Alabama

GCs must file within 6 months of last furnishing. Must give unpaid balance notice to owner before filing.

Subcontractors must file within 4 months of last furnishing. Must provide notice of unpaid lien to owner before filing.

Suppliers must file within 4 months of last furnishing. Must provide notice of unpaid lien to owner before filing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a mechanics lien in Alabama?

Deadlines vary by role. General Contractors have 180 days from last furnishing. Subcontractors have 120 days from last furnishing. Material Suppliers have 120 days from last furnishing. These deadlines are strictly enforced — missing them means losing your lien rights.

Do I need to send a preliminary notice in Alabama?

General Contractors are not required to send a preliminary notice. Subcontractors must send a preliminary notice within 30 days of before filing. Material Suppliers must send a preliminary notice within 30 days of before filing. Even when not required, sending a preliminary notice is recommended as a best practice.

Where do I file a mechanics lien in Alabama?

In Alabama, mechanics liens are filed with the Office of the Judge of Probate in the county where the property is located.

How much does it cost to file a mechanics lien in Alabama?

The estimated recording fee in Alabama is $25-$50. Fees vary by county and may change. Contact your local Office of the Judge of Probate for current rates.

What information do I need to file a mechanics lien in Alabama?

You will need: Your full legal name (or business name), Property owner's name, Property address (legal description preferred), Description of work performed or materials supplied, Total amount owed, Name of the party who hired you. Subcontractors and suppliers may also need the name of the party who hired them.

Related Resources

What Is a Mechanics Lien?

A comprehensive overview of mechanics liens and how they protect your right to payment.

How to File a Mechanics Lien

Step-by-step guide to preparing and filing your mechanics lien document.

Preliminary Notice Requirements

Learn when and how to send a preliminary notice to protect your lien rights.

Deadline Calculator

Calculate your exact filing deadlines based on your project dates and role.

Ready to File Your Alabama Mechanics Lien?

Our guided form will walk you through the state-specific requirements and generate your document.