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Mechanics Lien Deadlines in Georgia

In Georgia, a claim of lien must be filed within 90 days after completing work or furnishing materials, some claimants must send a notice to contractor within 30 days on projects with a notice of commencement, and a lien action must start within 365 days after filing.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Georgia at a glance

Deadline to record lien
90 days
Preliminary notice required
Yes in some cases (notice to contractor)
Claimants without privity with the contractor must give a notice to contractor within 30 days when a notice of commencement has been filed.
Deadline to enforce lien
365 days after filing the lien
A notice of filing the action must also be filed within 30 days after the action starts.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Georgia

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

Deadline to record lien in Georgia: 90 days.

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

Yes in some cases (notice to contractor). Preliminary notice required in Georgia: yes in some cases (notice to contractor). Claimants without privity with the contractor must give a notice to contractor within 30 days when a notice of commencement has been filed.

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

Deadline to enforce lien in Georgia: 365 days after filing the lien. A notice of filing the action must also be filed within 30 days after the action starts.

Where do the Georgia mechanics lien deadlines come from?

The rules above come from O.C.G.A. 44-14-361.1 and O.C.G.A. 44-14-361.5. 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.