State Library
Every state, the same six questions.
Each state file answers the questions that come up on every deal: mechanics' liens, executing and notarizing documents for recording, securing future advances, subdivision rules, how title premiums are set, and the taxes and fees due when deeds and mortgages are recorded.
51 of 51 jurisdictions published
Hover or tab to a state for its lien deadline and key quirk. Click to open the full state file.
All state files
Alabama
Two kinds of lien: a "full price" lien for the contractor (or a supplier who gave advance notice) and an "unpaid balance" lien for everyone else.
AKAlaska
No state transfer tax. Some claimants must record within 15 days after the owner records a notice of completion.
AZArizona
A construction lender's deed of trust recorded within 10 days after work starts can rank ahead of mechanics' liens.
ARArkansas
Lenders can rely on a non-commencement affidavit, with an inspection within 4 business days of recording.
CACalifornia
The notary must take the signer's right thumbprint in the journal for deeds affecting real property.
COColorado
Claimants must serve a notice of intent at least 10 days before recording the lien statement.
CTConnecticut
A lien lapses 1 year after perfection unless foreclosure starts and a lis pendens is recorded.
DEDelaware
Attorney-closing state: a Delaware-licensed attorney must conduct sale and refinance closings.
DCDistrict of Columbia
A 2.9% recordation tax applies to transfers of controlling interests in entities that own real property.
FLFlorida
Deeds need two subscribing witnesses, and since 2024 their names and post-office addresses must appear.
GAGeorgia
A lien can be disregarded if no notice of commencement of lien action is filed within 395 days.
HIHawaii
Two recording systems (Land Court and the Regular System), and no adverse possession against Land Court land.
IDIdaho
The future-advance statute protects mortgages, but the Idaho Supreme Court held it does not reach deeds of trust.
ILIllinois
Liens attach as of the contract date; earlier encumbrances are preferred only up to the land's value at that time.
INIndiana
No mechanic's lien has priority over another mechanic's lien.
IAIowa
Insurers can't write title insurance on Iowa land; the state's Iowa Title Guaranty fills that role.
KSKansas
All claimants relate back to the earliest unsatisfied lien on the project.
KYKentucky
A mortgage stating a maximum secures later advances ahead of later liens, even with notice.
LALouisiana
No "mechanics' liens" here: they are claims and privileges under the Private Works Act.
MEMaine
A lien beats a prior mortgage only if the mortgagee consented to the work.
MDMaryland
A lien must be established by court petition within 180 days; the court decides whether it attaches.
MAMassachusetts
A three-step lien: record a notice of contract, record a statement of account, then sue.
MIMichigan
Construction advances made after a lien arises keep priority only if made on sworn statements with waivers.
MNMinnesota
The contractor's pre-lien notice is mandatory: no notice, no lien.
MSMississippi
First filed, first in right: no relation back to the start of work.
MOMissouri
The "first spade" rule: liens beat encumbrances attaching after work commenced, even a purchase-money deed of trust.
MTMontana
A mortgage stating a maximum has priority as if fully advanced at execution, even at a zero balance.
NENebraska
Advances on a prior-recorded construction loan keep priority even with knowledge of a lien.
NVNevada
HOA superpriority: part of an HOA lien primes the first deed of trust.
NHNew Hampshire
The lien exists automatically for 120 days and is secured by a court attachment within that window.
NJNew Jersey
A lien attaches only when the lien claim is filed, with no relation back to first work.
NMNew Mexico
Promulgated rates: the Superintendent sets title premium rates.
NYNew York
A lien takes effect only when the notice of lien is filed; 8 months to file (4 for a single-family home).
NCNorth Carolina
Projects of $40,000+ need a lien agent, and a missed Notice to Lien Agent can cost the lien.
NDNorth Dakota
Policies need an abstract from a certified abstracter, examined by a North Dakota attorney.
OHOhio
Dower still exists: a spouse who doesn't release it keeps a one-third life estate interest.
OKOklahoma
Title policies must rest on a certified abstract and an Oklahoma attorney's title opinion.
OROregon
Credit-line instruments need a "line of credit" legend, maximum principal and maturity on the front page.
PAPennsylvania
New construction liens date from visible commencement; alteration and repair liens date from filing.
RIRhode Island
Enforcement is fast: complaint and lis pendens within 40 days after recording the notice of intention.
SCSouth Carolina
Attorney-closing state: a licensed South Carolina attorney must supervise residential closings.
SDSouth Dakota
A county-licensed abstracter directs the search and countersigns the policy.
TNTennessee
On owner-occupied 1-4 unit homes, only the prime contractor has a lien.
TXTexas
Promulgated rates and forms: the Commissioner fixes the premiums, and Texas uses its own T-forms instead of ALTA forms.
UTUtah
No preliminary notice on the State Construction Registry within 20 days of starting work, no lien.
VTVermont
Land records are kept by the town clerk, not the county.
VAVirginia
Wet settlement: record and disburse within 2 business days.
WAWashington
HELOCs aren't negotiable instruments and need judicial foreclosure (Marquez Vargas, 2026).
WVWest Virginia
Every class of lien is discharged 100 days after completion unless perfected.
WIWisconsin
For new construction, liens rank from visible commencement, meaning substantial excavation.
WYWyoming
Off-site design work doesn't count as commencement for priority; on-site work does.