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Mechanics Lien Deadlines in Missouri

In Missouri, a lien must be filed with the circuit clerk within 6 months after the debt accrues, original contractors must give the owner a statutory notice and other claimants a 10-day notice before filing, and suit must be brought within 6 months after the lien is filed.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Missouri at a glance

Deadline to record lien
6 months after the debt accrues
Equipment rental claims: 60 days after the equipment was last removed.
Preliminary notice required
Yes (owner notice; 10-day notice for others)
Original contractors give a notice to owner before receiving payment; others give 10 days' notice before filing. Title-insured new residences are exempt from the contractor notice.
Deadline to enforce lien
6 months after filing the lien

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Missouri

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

Deadline to record lien in Missouri: 6 months after the debt accrues. Equipment rental claims: 60 days after the equipment was last removed.

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

Yes (owner notice; 10-day notice for others). Preliminary notice required in Missouri: yes (owner notice; 10-day notice for others). Original contractors give a notice to owner before receiving payment; others give 10 days' notice before filing. Title-insured new residences are exempt from the contractor notice.

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

Deadline to enforce lien in Missouri: 6 months after filing the lien.

Where do the Missouri mechanics lien deadlines come from?

The rules above come from Mo. Rev. Stat. 429.080, Mo. Rev. Stat. 429.012, Mo. Rev. Stat. 429.100 and Mo. Rev. Stat. 429.170. 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.