What is the deadline to file a mechanic’s lien in Georgia?
In Georgia, a contractor must file its claim of lien with the clerk of the superior court of the county within 90 days after completing the work, and send the owner a copy by registered or certified mail or statutory overnight delivery within two business days after filing. The claim must include a statement of when the lien expires and a notice that the owner has the right to contest it, or the lien is invalid. The contractor must start a lien action within 365 days after filing the claim of lien and, within 30 days after starting it, file a notice of the action with the clerk of the superior court. The 30-day preliminary notice in § 44-14-361.5 is owed by those without privity of contract with the contractor, after a notice of commencement filed by the owner, the owner’s agent or the contractor within 15 days after work physically begins. An unlicensed contractor has no lien for work that required a residential or commercial general contractor license. A subcontractor or supplier often has different notice requirements and deadlines. This is O.C.G.A. §§ 44-14-361.1, 44-14-361.5, 43-41-17.
| What | Georgia |
|---|---|
| Deadline to file the lien | 90 days after completion of the work |
| Who this deadline is for | A contractor hired directly by the owner |
Source
O.C.G.A. §§ 44-14-361.1, 44-14-361.5, 43-41-17
Read the statute in the Official Code of Georgia (Georgia General Assembly): legis.ga.gov.
The linked sections open Justia’s free copy of the code, because the state’s own site has no stable address for each section.
Checked against the statute on November 13, 2026.
This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.
How Seayora uses this rule
A contractor on Seayora keeps every job’s dates, its estimate, its invoices and its payments in one record, so the date work was last performed and the amount still owed are on file when a lien deadline is counted.
Guides on this rule
- Mechanic’s Lien Deadlines by State: When to File — Mechanic’s lien filing deadlines in all 50 states and DC, when each clock starts, and the notice a statute requires before filing.
Compare this rule in every state
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The same question in other states
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