What is the deadline to file a mechanic’s lien in Virginia?

In Virginia, a general contractor must file a memorandum of lien no later than 90 days from the last day of the month in which it last performed labor or furnished material, and no later than 90 days after the building is completed or the work otherwise ends. The memorandum is filed in the clerk’s office of the county or city where the building is located, and a general contractor must also file a certification that a copy was mailed to the owner. On a one- or two-family dwelling whose building permit names a mechanics’ lien agent, a lien claimant must notify that agent within 30 days of first performing labor or furnishing material, or the lien is limited to work done after the notice is given. A suit to enforce the lien must be brought within six months after the memorandum was recorded or 60 days after the building was completed or the work ended, whichever is later. A subcontractor or supplier often has different notice requirements and deadlines. This is Va. Code §§ 43-4, 43-4.01, 43-17.

WhatVirginia
Deadline to file the lien90 days after the month of last work
Who this deadline is forA contractor hired directly by the owner

Source

Va. Code §§ 43-4, 43-4.01, 43-17

Read the statute in the Code of Virginia (Virginia General Assembly): law.lis.virginia.gov.

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.

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