How many days do you have to file a mechanics lien in District of Columbia?
Record a notice of intent in the land records of the Office of the Recorder of Deeds during construction or within 90 days after the earlier of completion or termination of the project. If it is not recorded in that time the lien ends. The notice must include the amount claimed, a description of the work and materials, the property, and the contractor's license and good standing documents.1 D.C. Code 40-301.02
Do you need a preliminary notice in District of Columbia?
There is no preliminary notice before the lien itself. A contractor records a notice of intent in the land records during construction or within 90 days after completion or termination, then sends a copy to the owner by certified mail within 5 business days (posting it on the property if the mail comes back). A subcontractor or supplier records the same notice and must also serve the owner with a copy, or the owner can keep paying the contractor.1 D.C. Code 40-301.02, 40-303.01, 40-303.03
How long is a mechanics lien good for in District of Columbia?
File suit to enforce the lien within 180 days after the notice of intent was recorded, and record a notice of pendency of action within 10 days of filing suit. Missing either deadline ends the lien.2 D.C. Code 40-303.13
Who can file a mechanics lien in District of Columbia?
A contractor who contracted with the owner or the owner's agent, and any subcontractor, supplier or laborer directly employed by that contractor. If the owner has paid the original contractor in full in good faith, the people employed by the contractor have no lien.3 D.C. Code 40-301.01, 40-303.01, 40-303.02
Does a District of Columbia lien claim have to be notarized?
The notice of intent must include a sworn, notarized statement under penalty of perjury that its contents are true and that the contractor has a right to recover the amount claimed.1 D.C. Code 40-301.02(b)(9)
What about public jobs in District of Columbia?
Before a District public construction contract above $25,000 is awarded, the contractor must furnish a performance bond and a payment bond; for contracts of $1,000,000 or less the payment bond is one-half the contract amount. A person unpaid 90 days after last supplying labor or materials may sue on the payment bond; one with no contract with the prime contractor must give written notice within 90 days.4 D.C. Code 2-201.01, 2-201.02
Sources
- D.C. Code 40-301.02 (code.dccouncil.gov, 2026-10-27)
- D.C. Code 40-303.13 (code.dccouncil.gov, 2026-10-27)
- D.C. Code 40-301.01, 40-303.01, 40-303.02 (code.dccouncil.gov, 2026-10-27)
- D.C. Code 2-201.01, 2-201.02 (code.dccouncil.gov, 2026-10-27)