Florida Mechanics Lien Guide

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

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Understanding Florida Mechanics Lien Law

Florida mechanics lien rights are governed by Fla. Stat. §§ 713.01-713.37. To file a mechanics lien in Florida, you must record your claim with the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the property is located. The estimated recording fee is $10-$20, though fees vary by county.

Some claimant types in Florida are required to send a preliminary notice before filing a lien. Check the requirements for your specific role below. Additionally, Florida requires a Notice of Intent to Lien before filing.

Florida Mechanics Lien Deadlines by Role

Role	Preliminary Notice	Lien Filing Deadline	Notice of Intent
General Contractor	Not required	90 days from last furnishing	5 days before filing
Subcontractor	45 days from first furnishing	90 days from last furnishing	Not required
Material Supplier	45 days from first furnishing	90 days from last furnishing	Not required

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

Requirements by Role

General Contractor

Lien Deadline: 90 days from last furnishing
Preliminary Notice: Not required
Notice of Intent: Required — 5 days before filing
Filing Office: Clerk of the Circuit Court
Estimated Recording Fee: $10-$20
Statute Reference: Fla. Stat. §§ 713.01-713.37

Contractors must serve a contractor's final affidavit at least 5 days before filing. Must file within 90 days of last furnishing.

Subcontractor

Lien Deadline: 90 days from last furnishing
Preliminary Notice: Required — 45 days from first furnishing
Filing Office: Clerk of the Circuit Court
Estimated Recording Fee: $10-$20
Statute Reference: Fla. Stat. §§ 713.06, 713.08

Subcontractors must serve a Notice to Owner within 45 days of first furnishing. Lien must be filed within 90 days of last furnishing.

Material Supplier

Lien Deadline: 90 days from last furnishing
Preliminary Notice: Required — 45 days from first furnishing
Filing Office: Clerk of the Circuit Court
Estimated Recording Fee: $10-$20
Statute Reference: Fla. Stat. §§ 713.06, 713.08

Suppliers must serve a Notice to Owner within 45 days of first furnishing. Lien must be filed within 90 days of last furnishing.

What You Need to File

Gather the following information before preparing your Florida 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 Florida

1
Send Your Preliminary Notice
Check whether your role requires a preliminary notice in Florida. If required, send it within the specified deadline to preserve your lien rights. Learn more in our preliminary notice guide.
2
Send a Notice of Intent to Lien
Florida requires you to notify the property owner of your intent to file a lien before recording it. This gives them a final chance to resolve the payment dispute.
3
Gather Your Documentation
Collect all required information including contract details, payment records, and property information. See the checklist above for the complete list.
4
Prepare Your Lien Document
Use our free Florida lien generator to create a state-compliant mechanics lien document with all required fields.
5
Record with the Clerk of the Circuit Court
File your completed lien document with the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the property is located. Expect to pay approximately $10-$20 in recording fees.
6
Serve Notice on the Property Owner
After recording, serve a copy of the filed lien on the property owner as required by Florida law. Keep proof of service for your records.

Important Notes for Florida

Contractors must serve a contractor's final affidavit at least 5 days before filing. Must file within 90 days of last furnishing.

Subcontractors must serve a Notice to Owner within 45 days of first furnishing. Lien must be filed within 90 days of last furnishing.

Suppliers must serve a Notice to Owner within 45 days of first furnishing. Lien must be filed within 90 days of last furnishing.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Deadlines vary by role. General Contractors have 90 days from last furnishing. Subcontractors have 90 days from last furnishing. Material Suppliers have 90 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 Florida?

General Contractors are not required to send a preliminary notice. Subcontractors must send a preliminary notice within 45 days of first furnishing. Material Suppliers must send a preliminary notice within 45 days of first furnishing. Even when not required, sending a preliminary notice is recommended as a best practice.

Where do I file a mechanics lien in Florida?

In Florida, mechanics liens are filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the property is located.

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

The estimated recording fee in Florida is $10-$20. Fees vary by county and may change. Contact your local Clerk of the Circuit Court for current rates.

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

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.

Do I need to send a Notice of Intent to Lien in Florida?

Yes. General Contractors must send a Notice of Intent at least 5 days before filing. This notice gives the property owner a final opportunity to resolve the payment dispute before a lien is filed.

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 Florida Mechanics Lien?

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