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Mechanics Lien Deadlines in Connecticut

In Connecticut, a lien certificate must be recorded within 90 days after the claimant stops work, and an action to foreclose must be started within 1 year after the lien is recorded.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Connecticut at a glance

Deadline to record lien
90 days
A copy must be served on the owner within 30 days after recording.
Preliminary notice required
Yes in some cases (notice of intent, some subs)
Subcontractors without a written, assented contract must give the owner and original contractor a notice of intent no later than 90 days after ceasing work.
Deadline to enforce lien
1 year after recording
A lis pendens must also be recorded; the period can run to 60 days after a reduction or discharge hearing, if later.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Connecticut

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

Deadline to record lien in Connecticut: 90 days. A copy must be served on the owner within 30 days after recording.

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

Yes in some cases (notice of intent, some subs). Preliminary notice required in Connecticut: yes in some cases (notice of intent, some subs). Subcontractors without a written, assented contract must give the owner and original contractor a notice of intent no later than 90 days after ceasing work.

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

Deadline to enforce lien in Connecticut: 1 year after recording. A lis pendens must also be recorded; the period can run to 60 days after a reduction or discharge hearing, if later.

Where do the Connecticut mechanics lien deadlines come from?

The rules above come from Conn. Gen. Stat. 49-34, Conn. Gen. Stat. 49-35 and Conn. Gen. Stat. 49-39. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

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.