Michigan Mechanics Lien Guide

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

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Understanding Michigan Mechanics Lien Law

Michigan mechanics lien rights are governed by Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 570.1101 to 570.1305. To file a mechanics lien in Michigan, you must record your claim with the County Register of Deeds in the county where the property is located. The estimated recording fee is $15-$30, though fees vary by county.

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

Michigan Mechanics Lien Deadlines by Role

Role	Preliminary Notice	Lien Filing Deadline
General Contractor	Not required	90 days from last furnishing
Subcontractor	20 days from first furnishing	90 days from last furnishing
Material Supplier	20 days from first furnishing	90 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: 90 days from last furnishing
Preliminary Notice: Not required
Filing Office: County Register of Deeds
Estimated Recording Fee: $15-$30
Statute Reference: Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 570.1101 to 570.1305

Must file within 90 days of last furnishing. Must serve copy on owner and GC within 15 days of recording. No prelim notice for GCs.

Subcontractor

Lien Deadline: 90 days from last furnishing
Preliminary Notice: Required — 20 days from first furnishing
Filing Office: County Register of Deeds
Estimated Recording Fee: $15-$30
Statute Reference: Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 570.1101 to 570.1305

Must send a Notice of Furnishing within 20 days of first furnishing. File lien within 90 days of last furnishing.

Material Supplier

Lien Deadline: 90 days from last furnishing
Preliminary Notice: Required — 20 days from first furnishing
Filing Office: County Register of Deeds
Estimated Recording Fee: $15-$30
Statute Reference: Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 570.1101 to 570.1305

Must send a Notice of Furnishing within 20 days of first delivery. File lien within 90 days of last delivery.

What You Need to File

Gather the following information before preparing your Michigan 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 Michigan

1
Send Your Preliminary Notice
Check whether your role requires a preliminary notice in Michigan. 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 Michigan lien generator to create a state-compliant mechanics lien document with all required fields.
4
Record with the County Register of Deeds
File your completed lien document with the County Register of Deeds in the county where the property is located. Expect to pay approximately $15-$30 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 Michigan law. Keep proof of service for your records.

Important Notes for Michigan

Must file within 90 days of last furnishing. Must serve copy on owner and GC within 15 days of recording. No prelim notice for GCs.

Must send a Notice of Furnishing within 20 days of first furnishing. File lien within 90 days of last furnishing.

Must send a Notice of Furnishing within 20 days of first delivery. File lien within 90 days of last delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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 Michigan?

General Contractors are not required to send a preliminary notice. Subcontractors must send a preliminary notice within 20 days of first furnishing. Material Suppliers must send a preliminary notice within 20 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 Michigan?

In Michigan, mechanics liens are filed with the County Register of Deeds in the county where the property is located.

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

The estimated recording fee in Michigan is $15-$30. Fees vary by county and may change. Contact your local County Register of Deeds for current rates.

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

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 Michigan Mechanics Lien?

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