To secure payment on a construction project in Oregon, you must follow a strict statutory process. The most critical rule is the 75-day deadline: you must record your lien with the county within 75 days of your last date of labor or material delivery to the job site — or within 75 days of the project’s substantial completion — whichever comes earlier. Do not wait for the project to fully finish; the clock may already be running when you stop work.
Note: Oregon has one of the shortest lien deadlines in the nation. If you miss the 75-day recording window, you lose your right to file an Oregon construction lien form entirely—no exceptions. Read our full guide below and learn how to file a lien in Oregon. Reviewed for accuracy by lien specialists. Updated February 2026.
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In less than 2 minutes, we explain how to file your lien under the Oregon Construction Lien Statute.
A mechanic’s lien (or “construction lien”) is a legal claim that secures payment for contractors, suppliers, and laborers who have improved a property. By filing a lien, you attach a financial interest to the property itself, preventing the owner from selling or refinancing until your wages are paid. In short, it is your most powerful tool to force payment when a client refuses to pay.
In Oregon, if you’re a contractor, subcontractor, supplier, or even a laborer, you can file a mechanics’ lien form if you haven’t been paid for your work on a property.
Just remember, there are some rules to follow, like sending out preliminary notices and meeting a 75-day deadline. These steps help protect everyone who adds value to real estate.
Filing a lien in Oregon is time-sensitive and has strict regulations. There is a short 75-day window for filing. Missing this deadline or skipping required notices can result in the permanent loss of your lien rights.
To file a lien as a contractor, take note of these deadlines and action steps:
| Action Required | Deadline (Oregon) | Who Must File? |
|---|---|---|
| Send Notice of Right to Lien | Within 8 days of starting work or delivery | * Subcontractors & Suppliers |
| File Lien (Recording) | 75 days from last work or completion, whichever is earlier | All Claimants |
| Serve Copy to Owner | Within 20 days of filing the lien | All Claimants |
| Foreclosure Lawsuit | Within 120 days of filing the lien | All Claimants |
* General Contractors must send an Information Notice to Owner About Construction Liens
Filing a construction lien in Oregon requires strict attention to detail. According to Oregon lien laws (ORS 87.035), missing a deadline or skipping a required notice can invalidate your entire claim. Follow this 4-step process to ensure your lien is enforceable.
To file a lien as a contractor, you must generally send a preliminary notice at the start of the project.
If you remain unpaid, you must draft a “Claim of Lien” document that meets all statutory requirements under ORS § 87.035. A valid Oregon mechanics lien form must contain:
You must file your lien with the county recording office where the project is located. You have exactly 75 days from the date you last provided labor/materials or from the completion of construction, whichever happens first.
You can file in person, by mail, or electronically. Electronic filing is often preferred to avoid rejection due to miscalculated county recording fees (which typically range from $60 to $150).
After recording the lien at the county office, you must notify the owner that a lien has been placed on their property. You must send a copy of the recorded lien to the property owner within 20 days of recording.
Failing to do this won’t invalidate the lien itself, but it will disqualify you from recovering attorney fees and legal costs if you have to go to court later.
An Oregon mechanics’ lien is valid for only a limited time. You must take action before it expires.
Oregon has a strict 75-day filing window. Don’t miss the deadline.
E-Record My Lien TodayNorthwest Lien Service has processed thousands of mechanics lien filings in Oregon, Washington, and California since 1999 and has collected over $250 million for our clients. We stay up to date with all state codes and compliance changes to help make filing simple and stress-free for you.
“I had no knowledge of how this process worked, and fortunately, I found Northwest Lien Service. I worked with Michelle and she took care of everything. She answered all my questions and within a week my lien was filed.” – Melissa McDowell
To put a lien on a property in Oregon, you must complete a notarized Claim of Lien form and record it at the county clerk’s office where the property is located. Before doing this, subcontractors and suppliers must have sent a Notice of Right to Lien within 8 days of starting work.
The base cost to file a mechanics lien in Oregon varies by county, typically ranging from $60 to $150 for recording fees. You must also factor in notary fees and the cost of certified mail. To avoid miscalculating county fees and having your lien rejected, many contractors use a professional filing service. Check out our transparent and affordable prices. We can handle the entire process for you.
In Oregon, a contractor must file a mechanics lien within 75 days of their last date of work or material delivery, or within 75 days of the project’s completion, whichever comes first. Missing this 75-day window permanently voids your right to file a mechanics lien.
In construction contracting, the 3-2-1 rule defines when a project reaches Substantial Performance. It states a project is substantially complete when the remaining work can be finished at a cost of no more than: 3% of the first $500,000 of the contract price, 2% of the next $500,000, and 1% of the remaining balance. Hitting this milestone usually triggers the release of hold-back funds to contractors.
No, a homeowner cannot file a mechanics lien against a contractor. Mechanics’ liens are specifically designed for contractors to secure payment from property owners. If a homeowner has a financial dispute with a contractor in Oregon, their recourse is to file a complaint against the contractor’s surety bond through the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) or file a civil lawsuit.
To get an Oregon general contractor license or Construction Contractors Board (CCB) license in Oregon, you must complete a state-approved 16-hour pre-license training course and pass the official Oregon CCB exam. After passing, you must purchase the required surety bond and general liability insurance, then submit your application to the CCB along with the $325 licensing fee.
In Oregon, a contractor can be held liable for construction defects for up to 10 years after the project is substantially completed under the “Statute of Repose.” Within that 10-year window, if a property owner discovers a defect, they generally have 2 years (for negligence claims) to 6 years (for breach of contract claims) from the date of discovery to file a lawsuit.
If you get ripped off by a contractor in Oregon, your first step should be to file an official dispute with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB).
A perfected lien is a security interest that has been legally recorded with the appropriate government authority to make it enforceable against third parties. In construction, a mechanics lien becomes “perfected” only when the claimant strictly follows all statutory steps—such as recording the document with the county clerk within the 75-day deadline and serving notice to the owner—effectively freezing the property’s title.
A statutory lien is a type of lien created automatically by state or federal law (statute) rather than by a contract or court judgment. Mechanics liens are the most common form of statutory liens, as state laws (like ORS 87 in Oregon) grant contractors the right to claim an interest in a property they have improved to secure payment, even without a direct contract with the property owner.
The Information Notice to Owner About Construction Liens is a mandatory document that Oregon General Contractors (GCs) must provide to residential property owners on projects exceeding $2,000. It explains the owner’s exposure to mechanics liens, their rights under Oregon law (ORS Chapter 87), and how to protect themselves. A GC who fails to deliver this notice before or at contract signing may face CCB penalties and loss of lien rights.
| Information Notice to Owner | Notice of Intent to Lien (NOI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who Sends It | General Contractor (to the property owner) | Any unpaid contractor, subcontractor, or supplier |
| When to Send It | At or before contract signing (residential projects over $2,000) | Before filing a lien, typically sent as a final warning for payment |
| Purpose | Informs the owner of their lien exposure and rights under Oregon law | Notifies the owner that a lien will be filed if payment is not received |
| Legal Status | Required by law: Failure risks CCB penalties and loss of lien rights | Not required: Optional but strongly recommended as a prompt-to-pay tactic |
Save this construction lien checklist for your reference.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Mechanics lien laws are complex and vary by jurisdiction. For specific legal guidance regarding your situation, please consult a qualified Oregon-licensed attorney.
