MN · Mechanics Lien Law
Minnesota Mechanics Lien Law: Deadlines, Notices & Filing Guide
Minnesota mechanics lien and bond claim rules under Minn. Stat. § 514.08 (private) and § 574.31 (public), covered by My Lien Lawyer. The 45-day pre-lien notice and 120-day recording window both hinge on furnishing dates that claimants must document from the start.
Minnesota mechanics lien deadlines at a glance
Subcontractors and suppliers serving sub-tiers or the general contractor must serve a written pre-lien notice on the owner within 45 days of first furnishing labor or materials. Skipping this notice where it applies can forfeit lien rights entirely, making it one of the most consequential early deadlines in Minnesota practice.
The mechanics lien statement must be recorded with the county recorder within 120 days of the claimant's last furnishing of labor, skill, or materials to the project. This 120-day period runs strictly from the last date of contribution, so partial completion or an early estimate of the finish date will not extend it.
Suit to enforce the lien must be brought within 1 year after last furnishing labor or materials, per Minn. Stat. § 514.12, subd. 3.
For Minnesota public works, a claimant on a payment bond must serve written notice of claim on both the prime contractor and the surety within 120 days of last furnishing labor or materials. This notice period mirrors the private lien recording deadline, which makes it easier to track but no less strict.
Primary statute
Minn. Stat. § 514.08 · Minn. Stat. § 574.31
Who can file a mechanics lien in Minnesota?
Minnesota lien rights are open to contractors, subcontractors, sub-subcontractors, material suppliers, and design professionals who contributed labor, materials, or services to the improvement, as the statute allows.
Overview of Minnesota lien practice
Minnesota's lien statute front-loads much of the risk into the 45-day pre-lien notice, which most subcontractors and suppliers must serve on the owner to keep their lien rights intact; failing to serve it on time can forfeit those rights altogether rather than merely limiting them. Once work wraps up, attention shifts to the 120-day recording deadline, measured from the claimant's last furnishing of labor, skill, or materials, and to serving a copy of the recorded lien statement on the owner within 5 days of recording. Because both deadlines are unforgiving, claimants benefit from logging first furnishing the day they start on site and tracking last furnishing as work winds down, rather than relying on memory or invoices alone. Recording must happen with the correct county recorder, and the lien must correctly identify the owner of record to be enforceable. Public projects run on a parallel but separate bond claim track under a different statute, so contractors working across both public and private Minnesota jobs need to keep the two deadline sets distinct. Federal property, as always, falls outside any state lien remedy.
Common pitfalls on Minnesota projects
Missing the 45-day notice forfeits rights
Failure to serve a timely pre-lien notice within 45 days of first furnishing forfeits lien rights entirely for claimants who are required to give it.
Recorded lien must be served quickly
A copy of the recorded lien statement must be served on the owner within 5 days of recording.
Pre-lien notice is a filing prerequisite
Where required, the 45-day pre-lien notice is a prerequisite to recording a valid lien statement, not merely a best practice.
Minnesota mechanics lien FAQs
When must a mechanics lien be recorded in Minnesota?
Within 120 days after the claimant's last contribution of labor, skill, or materials, recorded with the county recorder under Minn. Stat. § 514.08.
Is a preliminary notice required in Minnesota?
Yes, subcontractors and suppliers serving sub-tiers or the general contractor must serve a written pre-lien notice on the owner within 45 days of first furnishing.
How long do I have to enforce a lien in Minnesota?
Suit must be commenced within 1 year of the claimant's last furnishing labor or materials under Minn. Stat. § 514.12, subd. 3.
What notice is required for Minnesota public projects?
A claimant on a public works payment bond must serve written notice on the prime contractor and surety within 120 days of last furnishing labor or materials.
Filing a Minnesota mechanics lien or bond claim?
My Lien Lawyer coordinates mechanics lien filings, bond claims, and construction collections in Minnesota — directly or through our vetted local-counsel network. The first call is free.
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This page is general information and not legal advice. Statutes change — verify against the official text linked above.