WY · Mechanics Lien Law
Wyoming Mechanics Lien Law: Deadlines, Notices & Filing Guide
This overview explains Wyoming mechanics lien and public bond claim deadlines under Wyo. Stat. §§ 29-1-601 et seq. and Wyo. Stat. §§ 16-6-602, 16-6-116. The two-step lien process and the separate retained-funds notice rules make careful date tracking essential from first furnishing onward.
Wyoming mechanics lien deadlines at a glance
Wyoming subcontractors and suppliers must serve a preliminary notice within 30 days of first furnishing labor or materials. This notice is separate from, and precedes, the later Notice of Intent to Lien required before the lien itself is filed.
Wyoming requires a Notice of Intent to Lien to be served at least 20 days before the lien is filed, meaning it must go out by day 100 after last furnishing, with the lien itself due within 120 days of last furnishing under Wyo. Stat. §§ 29-1-601 et seq. Missing the earlier notice deadline can leave a claimant unable to timely complete the required two-step process.
A Wyoming lien foreclosure lawsuit must be commenced within 180 days of the date the mechanics lien was filed.
Wyoming public bond enforcement generally must be initiated within 1 year of final completion, or within 1 year of the first publication of the notice of final payment on Department of Administration and Information projects. Claims against retained funds instead require pre-final-payment notice, either 10 days for local projects or 40 days for state-level projects, followed by the same 1-year enforcement window.
Primary statute
Wyo. Stat. §§ 29-1-601 et seq. · Wyo. Stat. §§ 16-6-602, 16-6-116
Who can file a mechanics lien in Wyoming?
Contractors, subcontractors, sub-subcontractors, material suppliers, and qualifying design professionals furnishing labor, materials, or services in Wyoming can claim a mechanics lien.
Overview of Wyoming lien practice
Wyoming layers several distinct notice obligations onto its lien process, so claimants need a clear calendar from the very start of the job. A 30-day preliminary notice is required of subcontractors and suppliers after first furnishing, and it is entirely separate from the later Notice of Intent to Lien, which must be served at least 20 days before the lien is recorded, effectively by day 100 of the 120-day recording window under Wyo. Stat. §§ 29-1-601 et seq. Missing either notice can unravel the eventual lien even if the underlying work is undisputed. Public project claimants face their own bifurcated system: bond enforcement generally runs on a 1-year clock from final completion, while claims against retained funds require pre-final-payment notice on a much shorter timeline, 10 days for local projects or 40 days for state projects, before the same 1-year enforcement period applies. As with any state, the lien must be recorded in the correct county against the correct record owner, and federal property in Wyoming remains outside the reach of the state lien statute entirely.
Common pitfalls on Wyoming projects
Missing the 20-day notice of intent
The Notice of Intent to Lien must be served at least 20 days before filing, so it has to go out by day 100 after last furnishing for the lien to be filed on time.
Confusing the two required notices
The 30-day preliminary notice for subcontractors and suppliers is separate from the later Notice of Intent to Lien; serving one does not satisfy the other.
Overlooking retained-funds notice on public work
Claims against retained funds require pre-final-payment notice — 10 days on local projects, 40 days on state-level projects — before the one-year enforcement window applies.
Wyoming mechanics lien FAQs
When must a mechanics lien be recorded in Wyoming?
The lien statement must be filed with the county clerk within 120 days of last furnishing, after serving a Notice of Intent to Lien on the owner at least 20 days before filing.
Is preliminary notice required in Wyoming?
Yes, subcontractors and suppliers must serve preliminary notice within 30 days of first furnishing labor or materials.
How long do I have to enforce a lien in Wyoming?
A foreclosure lawsuit must be commenced within 180 days of the mechanics lien filing date.
What about Wyoming public projects?
Bond enforcement generally must begin within 1 year of final completion, while claims against retained funds require pre-final-payment notice of 10 days locally or 40 days at the state level, followed by the same 1-year enforcement window.
Filing a Wyoming mechanics lien or bond claim?
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This page is general information and not legal advice. Statutes change — verify against the official text linked above.