Utah Mechanics Lien Guide

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

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Understanding Utah Mechanics Lien Law

Utah mechanics lien rights are governed by Utah Code §§ 38-1a-101 to 38-1a-803, § 38-1a-501. To file a mechanics lien in Utah, you must record your claim with the County Recorder's Office in the county where the property is located. The estimated recording fee is $25-$50, though fees vary by county.

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

Utah Mechanics Lien Deadlines by Role

Role	Preliminary Notice	Lien Filing Deadline
General Contractor	20 days from first furnishing	180 days from completion
Subcontractor	20 days from first furnishing	180 days from completion
Material Supplier	20 days from first furnishing	180 days from completion

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 completion
Preliminary Notice: Required — 20 days from first furnishing
Filing Office: County Recorder's Office
Estimated Recording Fee: $25-$50
Statute Reference: Utah Code §§ 38-1a-101 to 38-1a-803, § 38-1a-501

All parties must file preliminary notice with State Construction Registry (SCR) within 20 days of first furnishing. File lien within 180 days of completion (90 if NOC filed).

Subcontractor

Lien Deadline: 180 days from completion
Preliminary Notice: Required — 20 days from first furnishing
Filing Office: County Recorder's Office
Estimated Recording Fee: $25-$50
Statute Reference: Utah Code §§ 38-1a-101 to 38-1a-803, § 38-1a-501

Must file preliminary notice with State Construction Registry within 20 days. Late filing only protects work done 5 days before and after. File lien within 180 days (90 if NOC).

Material Supplier

Lien Deadline: 180 days from completion
Preliminary Notice: Required — 20 days from first furnishing
Filing Office: County Recorder's Office
Estimated Recording Fee: $25-$50
Statute Reference: Utah Code §§ 38-1a-101 to 38-1a-803, § 38-1a-501

Must file preliminary notice with SCR within 20 days of first delivery. File lien within 180 days of completion (90 if NOC).

What You Need to File

Gather the following information before preparing your Utah 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 Utah

1
Send Your Preliminary Notice
Check whether your role requires a preliminary notice in Utah. 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 Utah 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 $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 Utah law. Keep proof of service for your records.

Important Notes for Utah

All parties must file preliminary notice with State Construction Registry (SCR) within 20 days of first furnishing. File lien within 180 days of completion (90 if NOC filed).

Must file preliminary notice with State Construction Registry within 20 days. Late filing only protects work done 5 days before and after. File lien within 180 days (90 if NOC).

Must file preliminary notice with SCR within 20 days of first delivery. File lien within 180 days of completion (90 if NOC).

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

Do I need to send a preliminary notice in Utah?

General Contractors must send a preliminary notice within 20 days of first furnishing. 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 Utah?

In Utah, 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 Utah?

The estimated recording fee in Utah is $25-$50. 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 Utah?

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 Utah Mechanics Lien?

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