Michigan mechanics lienNotice of furnishing and deadlines

The notice of furnishing is due 20 days after you first furnished labor or material¹. The lien deadline is 90 days after your last furnishing of labor or material²; the deadline to sue is 1 year after the claim of lien is recorded³.

Your Michigan lien deadlines

Enter your dates. Calendar days unless a line says otherwise.

First day you furnished labor or materials

Last day you furnished labor or materials

Date you recorded the lien (if done)

Deadlines that fall on a weekend or holiday may move; the statute linked on each line controls.

Michigan lien timeline

First day of work
20 daysafter first workNotice of furnishing¹
your workany lengthLast day of work
90 daysafter last workRecord the claim of lien²
1 yearafter recordingStart foreclosure³

Calendar days unless noted. The first rule listed for each step; the calculator applies the others.

How many days do you have to file a mechanics lien in Michigan?

Record a claim of lien with the register of deeds in each county where the property sits within 90 days after the claimant's last furnishing of labor or material, or the right to a lien ends. Subs, suppliers and laborers attach proof of service of their notice of furnishing. Within 15 days after recording, serve a copy of the claim and proof of service on the designee (or the owner if none), personally or by certified mail.² MCL 570.1111(1),(4),(5)

When is the Michigan notice of furnishing due?

The owner or lessee records a notice of commencement before work starts (it names a designee and the general contractor). A subcontractor or supplier then serves a notice of furnishing on the designee and the general contractor, personally or by certified mail, within 20 days after first furnishing labor or material; a laborer serves within 30 days after wages were due but unpaid. A contractor dealing directly with the owner does not need one. On a residential structure, a contractor has no lien unless there is a written contract with the owner carrying the license statement in Sec. 114.¹ MCL 570.1108, 570.1109(1)-(2), 570.1114

How long is a mechanics lien good for in Michigan?

Foreclosure proceedings must start within 1 year after the claim of lien was recorded. File a notice of lis pendens when the suit starts, and name everyone whose interest the foreclosure would affect. A contractor or subcontractor suing must show the owner was given a sworn statement if one was requested or required.³ MCL 570.1117

Who can file a mechanics lien in Michigan?

Each contractor, subcontractor, supplier or laborer who provides an improvement to real property has a lien on the interest of the owner or lessee who contracted for it, limited to the claimant's contract amount less payments received. An unlicensed residential builder or maintenance and alteration contractor cannot impose a lien or sue for payment.⁴ MCL 570.1107(1); MCL 339.2412

Does a Michigan lien claim have to be notarized?

The claim of lien is signed by the claimant, agent or attorney and subscribed and sworn before a notary public (statutory form).² MCL 570.1111(2)

Public jobs: read the Michigan lien statute.

How do you file a mechanics lien in Michigan?

Notice of furnishing: due 20 days after you first furnished labor or material. MCL 570.1108, 570.1109(1)-(2), 570.1114 Not needed by a contractor dealing directly with the owner.
Record the claim of lien: due 90 days after your last furnishing of labor or material. MCL 570.1111(1),(4),(5)
Start foreclosure: due 1 year after the claim of lien is recorded. MCL 570.1117

Each line restates the statute cited next to it. Check the statute text before you file.

Sources

MCL 570.1108, 570.1109(1)-(2), 570.1114 (legislature.mi.gov, 2026-10-27)
MCL 570.1111(1),(4),(5) (legislature.mi.gov, 2026-10-27)
MCL 570.1117 (legislature.mi.gov, 2026-10-27)
MCL 570.1107(1); MCL 339.2412 (legislature.mi.gov, 2026-10-27)