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Mechanics Lien Deadlines in Michigan

In Michigan, a claim of lien must be recorded within 90 days after the claimant last furnished labor or materials, subcontractors and suppliers must serve a notice of furnishing within 20 days after first furnishing, and foreclosure must be brought within 1 year after the claim of lien is recorded.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Michigan at a glance

Deadline to record lien
90 days after last work or materials
Preliminary notice required
Yes in some cases (notice of furnishing, subs and suppliers)
Due within 20 days after first furnishing. A late notice does not defeat the lien except to the extent the owner already paid in reliance on sworn statements or waivers. Contractors with the owner need none.
Deadline to enforce lien
1 year after recording the claim of lien

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Michigan

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

Deadline to record lien in Michigan: 90 days after last work or materials.

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

Yes in some cases (notice of furnishing, subs and suppliers). Preliminary notice required in Michigan: yes in some cases (notice of furnishing, subs and suppliers). Due within 20 days after first furnishing. A late notice does not defeat the lien except to the extent the owner already paid in reliance on sworn statements or waivers. Contractors with the owner need none.

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

Deadline to enforce lien in Michigan: 1 year after recording the claim of lien.

Where do the Michigan mechanics lien deadlines come from?

The rules above come from MCL 570.1111, MCL 570.1109 and MCL 570.1117. 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.