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Mechanics Lien Deadlines in Alabama

In Alabama, an original contractor must file the lien statement within 6 months after last furnishing work (4 months for most others, 30 days for day laborers), and must sue to enforce it within 6 months after the debt matures.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Alabama at a glance

Deadline to record lien
6 months (original contractor)
4 months for subcontractors and suppliers, 30 days for journeymen and day laborers, counted from last work or materials.
Preliminary notice required
Yes in some cases (pre-filing notice, non-prime claimants)
No notice at job start is required, but claimants other than the original contractor must give the owner written notice of the lien claim before filing.
Deadline to enforce lien
6 months after the debt matures
The action must be commenced within six months after the entire debt secured by the lien becomes due.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Alabama

How long does a contractor have to file a mechanics lien in Alabama?

Deadline to record lien in Alabama: 6 months (original contractor). 4 months for subcontractors and suppliers, 30 days for journeymen and day laborers, counted from last work or materials.

Is a preliminary notice required before filing a mechanics lien in Alabama?

Yes in some cases (pre-filing notice, non-prime claimants). Preliminary notice required in Alabama: yes in some cases (pre-filing notice, non-prime claimants). No notice at job start is required, but claimants other than the original contractor must give the owner written notice of the lien claim before filing.

How long do you have to foreclose a mechanics lien in Alabama?

Deadline to enforce lien in Alabama: 6 months after the debt matures. The action must be commenced within six months after the entire debt secured by the lien becomes due.

Where do the Alabama mechanics lien deadlines come from?

The rules above come from Ala. Code 35-11-215, Ala. Code 35-11-218, Ala. Code 35-11-221 and Ala. Code 35-11-210. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

A supplier who notifies the owner in writing before furnishing materials can claim a lien for the full price, not only the unpaid balance owed to the contractor (Ala. Code 35-11-210).

What this means in practice

Deadlines often differ by role. The period for a general contractor who dealt directly with the owner can be different from the period for a subcontractor or supplier, and residential projects can have their own rules. Check which category fits before relying on a single number.

The event that starts the clock matters as much as the length of the period. Depending on the statute, it can be the last day labor or materials were furnished, completion of the project, or the recording of a notice of completion or commencement by the owner. Keeping dated records of the last work performed helps establish the start date.

Recording a lien is not the end of the process. If the debt is not paid, the claimant generally has to file a lawsuit to foreclose the lien within the enforcement period, or the lien expires. When the debt is paid, the owner will usually want a signed lien release recorded so the title is clear.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.