Minnesota Mechanics Lien Guide

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

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Understanding Minnesota Mechanics Lien Law

Minnesota mechanics lien rights are governed by Minn. Stat. §§ 514.01 to 514.17, § 514.011. To file a mechanics lien in Minnesota, you must record your claim with the County Recorder's Office in the county where the property is located. The estimated recording fee is $46, though fees vary by county.

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

Minnesota Mechanics Lien Deadlines by Role

Role	Preliminary Notice	Lien Filing Deadline
General Contractor	10 days from first furnishing	120 days from last furnishing
Subcontractor	45 days from first furnishing	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: 120 days from last furnishing
Preliminary Notice: Required — 10 days from first furnishing
Filing Office: County Recorder's Office
Estimated Recording Fee: $46
Statute Reference: Minn. Stat. §§ 514.01 to 514.17, § 514.011

GCs must provide disclosure to owner within 10 days of work agreement. File lien within 120 days of last furnishing. Serve owner within 10 days of filing.

Subcontractor

Lien Deadline: 120 days from last furnishing
Preliminary Notice: Required — 45 days from first furnishing
Filing Office: County Recorder's Office
Estimated Recording Fee: $46
Statute Reference: Minn. Stat. §§ 514.01 to 514.17

Must send preliminary notice within 45 days of first furnishing. File within 120 days of last furnishing.

What You Need to File

Gather the following information before preparing your Minnesota 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 Minnesota

1
Send Your Preliminary Notice
Check whether your role requires a preliminary notice in Minnesota. 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 Minnesota lien generator to create a state-compliant mechanics lien document with all required fields.
4
Record with the County Recorder's Office
File your completed lien document with the County Recorder's Office in the county where the property is located. Expect to pay approximately $46 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 Minnesota law. Keep proof of service for your records.

Important Notes for Minnesota

GCs must provide disclosure to owner within 10 days of work agreement. File lien within 120 days of last furnishing. Serve owner within 10 days of filing.

Must send preliminary notice within 45 days of first furnishing. File within 120 days of last furnishing.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Deadlines vary by role. General Contractors have 120 days from last furnishing. Subcontractors 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 Minnesota?

General Contractors must send a preliminary notice within 10 days of first furnishing. Subcontractors 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 Minnesota?

In Minnesota, mechanics liens are filed with the County Recorder's Office in the county where the property is located.

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

The estimated recording fee in Minnesota is $46. Fees vary by county and may change. Contact your local County Recorder's Office for current rates.

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

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 Minnesota Mechanics Lien?

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