Skip to content
Oakclause

Mechanics Lien Deadlines in Indiana

In Indiana, a lien notice must be recorded within 90 days after last work or materials (60 days for Class 2 structures), some suppliers to owner-occupied homes must give the owner notice within 30 or 60 days, and suit must be filed within 1 year after recording.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Indiana at a glance

Deadline to record lien
90 days
60 days for work on Class 2 structures (as defined in Indiana building law, generally one and two family homes).
Preliminary notice required
Yes in some cases (owner-occupied homes)
Credit suppliers to someone other than the owner must give a 30-day notice on owner-occupied home repairs, or a 60-day notice (also filed with the recorder) on new owner-occupied homes.
Deadline to enforce lien
1 year after recording
Or after a credit expires, if a credit is given.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Indiana

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

Deadline to record lien in Indiana: 90 days. 60 days for work on Class 2 structures (as defined in Indiana building law, generally one and two family homes).

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

Yes in some cases (owner-occupied homes). Preliminary notice required in Indiana: yes in some cases (owner-occupied homes). Credit suppliers to someone other than the owner must give a 30-day notice on owner-occupied home repairs, or a 60-day notice (also filed with the recorder) on new owner-occupied homes.

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

Deadline to enforce lien in Indiana: 1 year after recording. Or after a credit expires, if a credit is given.

Where do the Indiana mechanics lien deadlines come from?

The rules above come from Ind. Code 32-28-3-3, Ind. Code 32-28-3-6 and Ind. Code 32-28-3-1. 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.