Maryland

Mechanic's Lien

Deadlines & Filing Guide

Know your notice requirements, lien filing deadlines, and foreclosure deadlines before you lose your rights.

GET YOUR LIEN TOOLKIT

preliminary notice

Required?

Subcontractors/suppliers: Notice of Intention to Claim Lien within 120 days after last work

Lien Filing Deadline

File by:

Petition to Establish Lien within 180 days after last work/materials

Foreclosure Deadline

Enforce by:

1 year after Petition to Establish Lien filed

Statutory Authority

Where found:

Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. §§ 9-101 et seq.

DEADLINE CALCULATOR

Enter your last day of work to calculate your deadlines.

Last Day You Provided Labor or Materials

PRELIMINARY NOTICE

Deadline

—

LIEN FILING

Deadline

—

FORECLOSURE

Deadline

—

Enter your last day of work to see your estimated deadlines.

Where and How to File:

File a Petition to Establish Mechanic's Lien with the Circuit Court (or District Court for amounts under $5,000) in the county/city where the property is located. This is a judicial process, not a recording.

Important Notes:

Maryland uses petition process rather than typical recording.

Quick Deadline Timeline

Contract
Signed

Work Begins
Signed

Preliminary
Notice

Subcontractors/suppliers: Notice of Intention to Claim Lien within 120 days after last work

Last
Furnishing

File Lien

Petition to Establish Lien within 180 days after last work/materials

Enforce Lien

1 year after Petition to Establish Lien filed