North Carolina

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?

Not mandatory (lien rights lost if intervening sale/mortgage prior to notice)

Lien Filing Deadline

File by:

120 days after last furnishing

Foreclosure Deadline

Enforce by:

180 days after last furnishing

Statutory Authority

Where found:

N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 44A-7 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 claim of lien on real property with the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the property is located. Must include property description, amount of lien, and name of owner. Serve on owner within specified time.

Important Notes:

Quick Deadline Timeline

Contract
Signed

Work Begins
Signed

Preliminary
Notice

Not mandatory (lien rights lost if intervening sale/mortgage prior to notice)

Last
Furnishing

File Lien

120 days after last furnishing

Enforce Lien

180 days after last furnishing