Alaska Mechanic Lien Law: Complete Guide
Your Complete Guide to Mechanic Lien Rights Under AK §34.35.050 et seq. — Private Works, Payment Bonds & Public Projects
Alaska mechanic lien deadline table with toggles for project type and claimant type.
Alaska Preliminary Notice & Mechanic Lien Deadlines
Select your project type and role to see the deadlines that apply to you.
Prime Contractor — In privity with the property owner
Not mandatory. Alaska does not require any claimant to serve a preliminary notice as a condition of lien rights.
Strongly recommended: record a Notice of Right to Lien with the recorder in the district where the property is located. Recording before or within 15 days after a Notice of Completion preserves the full 120-day lien filing window.
The notice must contain the statutory warning language prescribed by Alaska law.
Record the Claim of Lien in the recording district where the property is located within 120 days after completing the contract or last furnishing labor or materials.
If the owner records a Notice of Completion, the deadline shortens to 15 days after the Notice of Completion is recorded, unless the claimant recorded a Notice of Right to Lien before or within the 15-day window, in which case the full 120-day period still applies.
The recorded Claim of Lien must be served on the property owner within 15 days after recording.
Commence suit to foreclose the Claim of Lien within 6 months after recording.
The 6-month period may be extended once for an additional 6 months by recording a Notice of Extension in the same recording office before the initial period expires, for a total of up to 12 months.
Preliminary Notice
Not mandatory. Alaska does not require any claimant to serve a preliminary notice as a condition of lien rights.
Strongly recommended: record a Notice of Right to Lien with the recorder in the district where the property is located. Recording before or within 15 days after a Notice of Completion preserves the full 120-day lien filing window.
The notice must contain the statutory warning language prescribed by Alaska law.
Mechanic Lien
Record the Claim of Lien in the recording district where the property is located within 120 days after completing the contract or last furnishing labor or materials.
If the owner records a Notice of Completion, the deadline shortens to 15 days after the Notice of Completion is recorded, unless the claimant recorded a Notice of Right to Lien before or within the 15-day window, in which case the full 120-day period still applies.
The recorded Claim of Lien must be served on the property owner within 15 days after recording.
Enforcement
Commence suit to foreclose the Claim of Lien within 6 months after recording.
The 6-month period may be extended once for an additional 6 months by recording a Notice of Extension in the same recording office before the initial period expires, for a total of up to 12 months.
Alaska private project deadlines
Prime Contractor
Preliminary Notice: Not mandatory. Alaska does not require any claimant to serve a preliminary notice as a condition of lien rights. Strongly recommended: record a Notice of Right to Lien with the recorder in the district where the property is located. Recording before or within 15 days after a Notice of Completion preserves the full 120-day lien filing window. The notice must contain the statutory warning language prescribed by Alaska law.
Mechanic Lien: Record the Claim of Lien in the recording district where the property is located within 120 days after completing the contract or last furnishing labor or materials. If the owner records a Notice of Completion, the deadline shortens to 15 days after the Notice of Completion is recorded, unless the claimant recorded a Notice of Right to Lien before or within the 15-day window, in which case the full 120-day period still applies. The recorded Claim of Lien must be served on the property owner within 15 days after recording.
Enforcement: Commence suit to foreclose the Claim of Lien within 6 months after recording. The 6-month period may be extended once for an additional 6 months by recording a Notice of Extension in the same recording office before the initial period expires, for a total of up to 12 months.
Subcontractors & Suppliers
Preliminary Notice: Not mandatory, but strongly recommended. Record a Notice of Right to Lien with the recorder in the district where the property is located. Recording a Notice of Right to Lien before or within 15 days of a Notice of Completion preserves the full 120-day lien filing window and shifts the burden of proof to the owner on knowledge and consent. The notice must contain the statutory warning language prescribed by Alaska law.
Mechanic Lien: Record the Claim of Lien in the recording district where the property is located within 120 days after last furnishing labor or materials. If the owner records a Notice of Completion, the deadline shortens to 15 days after the Notice of Completion is recorded, unless the claimant recorded a Notice of Right to Lien before or within the 15-day window, in which case the full 120-day period still applies. The recorded Claim of Lien must be served on the property owner within 15 days after recording.
Enforcement: Commence suit to foreclose the Claim of Lien within 6 months after recording. The 6-month period may be extended once for an additional 6 months by recording a Notice of Extension in the same recording office before the initial period expires, for a total of up to 12 months.
Remote Claimants
Preliminary Notice: Critical for remote claimants. Record a Notice of Right to Lien with the recorder in the district where the property is located as early as possible. Alaska's lien statute has tier limits: a material or equipment supplier must supply directly to the project site, and a materialman or subcontractor generally must contract with a subcontractor or higher (not a sub-sub) to have lien rights. Confirm eligibility before relying on a lien claim. Recording a Notice of Right to Lien preserves the full 120-day window if a Notice of Completion is later recorded and shifts the burden of proof to the owner on knowledge and consent.
Mechanic Lien: Record the Claim of Lien in the recording district where the property is located within 120 days after last furnishing labor or materials. If the owner records a Notice of Completion, the deadline shortens to 15 days after the Notice of Completion is recorded, unless the claimant recorded a Notice of Right to Lien before or within the 15-day window, in which case the full 120-day period still applies. The recorded Claim of Lien must be served on the property owner within 15 days after recording.
Enforcement: Commence suit to foreclose the Claim of Lien within 6 months after recording. The 6-month period may be extended once for an additional 6 months by recording a Notice of Extension in the same recording office before the initial period expires, for a total of up to 12 months.
Alaska public works deadlines
Prime Contractor
Preliminary Notice: Not applicable. The prime contractor is the principal on the payment bond and pursues payment through contract remedies, not a bond claim.
Bond Claim: Not applicable. Mechanic liens cannot attach to public property in Alaska. Prime contractors pursue payment through contract remedies.
Lawsuit to Enforce Bond Claim: Contract remedies against the public owner, subject to any applicable notice-of-claim and limitations periods.
Subcontractors & Suppliers
Preliminary Notice: Not required for first-tier subcontractors or suppliers in direct contractual relationship with the bonded prime contractor. Maintain thorough records of labor and materials furnished to support a later bond claim.
Bond Claim: Mechanic liens cannot attach to public property in Alaska. Payment rights run through the payment bond required on public contracts exceeding $100,000.
Lawsuit to Enforce Bond Claim: File suit on the payment bond no earlier than 90 days after last furnishing labor or materials, and no later than 1 year after final settlement of the contract.
Remote Claimants
Preliminary Notice: Claimants not in direct contractual relationship with the bonded prime contractor must serve written notice on the prime contractor within 90 days after last furnishing labor or materials. The notice must state with substantial accuracy the amount claimed and the name of the party to whom the material was furnished or for whom the labor was performed. Service must be by registered mail (postage prepaid) addressed to the contractor's office, business, or residence, or by any manner in which a peace officer may serve a summons. Suppliers to suppliers are likely not protected by the payment bond under Alaska's Little Miller Act, which closely mirrors the federal Miller Act.
Bond Claim: Mechanic liens cannot attach to public property in Alaska. Payment rights run through the payment bond, and the 90-day Notice of Claim is a prerequisite to suing on the bond.
Lawsuit to Enforce Bond Claim: File suit on the payment bond no earlier than 90 days after last furnishing labor or materials, and no later than 1 year after final settlement of the contract. The 90-day Notice of Claim must first have been served on the prime contractor by registered mail.
Alaska Mechanic Lien Law Overview
Last updated June 2026 · Reviewed by Thomas Emalfarb, Esq.
Alaska construction mechanic lien rights are governed by Alaska Statutes §34.35.050 et seq. This statutory framework protects the payment rights of general contractors, subcontractors, materialmen, equipment suppliers, architects, engineers, surveyors, vendors, laborers, and union employee benefit trust funds who furnish labor, services, or materials for the improvement of real property in the State of Alaska.
Alaska mechanic lien law provides a broad range of eligible claimants and establishes a Notice of Right to Mechanic Lien system under §34.35.064 that, while not always mandatory, affords maximum protection for those who comply. The Notice of Right to Mechanic Lien must be recorded and served on the owner and construction lender before performance begins, and must contain the statutory language prescribed by the statute.
The Alaska mechanic lien statute establishes a structured system of preliminary notices, mechanic lien filing deadlines, and enforcement timelines that must be strictly followed. Alaska also provides payment bond claim procedures for public works projects under AK §36.25.010 et seq., requiring bonds on all contracts exceeding $100,000. Contractors and subcontractors must be registered in Alaska under §08.18.151 to preserve their mechanic lien rights.
National Lien & Bond provides authoritative guidance on every aspect of Alaska construction mechanic lien compliance, from Notice of Right to Mechanic Lien requirements through Claim of Mechanic Lien filing, public works bond claims, and mechanic lien enforcement proceedings.
Topics on This Page
Alaska Mechanic Lien Law: Key Topics
Navigate the critical compliance areas for Alaska construction mechanic lien law.
Notice Requirements
Statutory preliminary notice obligations for private works and public works bond claims under Alaska law
Mechanic Lien Deadlines
Claim of Mechanic Lien filing requirements, deadlines by claimant type, and notice of completion procedures
Mechanic Lien Enforcement Deadlines
Suit commencement deadlines, extension procedures, public works bond claim enforcement, and statutory exceptions
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of projects are covered by Alaska mechanic's lien law?
Alaska mechanic's lien law under §34.35.050 et seq. covers private works projects involving the improvement of real property. A broad range of claimants are eligible, including general contractors, subcontractors, materialmen, equipment suppliers, architects, engineers, surveyors, vendors, laborers, and union employee benefit trust funds. Public works projects are covered separately under the payment bond requirements of §36.25.010 et seq.
Is the Notice of Right to Mechanic Lien required before filing a mechanic's lien in Alaska?
The Notice of Right to Mechanic Lien is not always mandatory under Alaska law, but recording and serving it on the property owner and construction lender before performance begins affords maximum protection under §34.35.064. Claimants who fail to provide this notice may have reduced rights when seeking to enforce their mechanic lien claims.
What are the key deadlines for filing a mechanic's lien in Alaska?
Under §34.35.068, mechanic lien claimants must record a Claim of Mechanic Lien within 120 days after last furnishing labor or materials. If the property owner files a Notice of Completion, the deadline is shortened to 15 days. Suit to foreclose the mechanic lien must be filed within 6 months after recording, with one possible 6-month extension.
Do contractors need to be registered in Alaska to file a mechanic's lien?
Yes. Under §08.18.151, contractors and subcontractors must be registered in Alaska as a condition of doing business. Unregistered contractors may face penalties and may be unable to enforce mechanic's lien rights or recover on construction contracts. This applies to both in-state and out-of-state contractors.
How do public works payment bond claims work in Alaska?
Alaska requires payment bonds on public works contracts exceeding $100,000 under §36.25.010 et seq. First-tier subcontractors in privity with the bonded contractor need no preliminary notice. Second-tier claimants must serve a written 90-Day Bond Claim Notice on the bonded contractor by registered mail within 90 days of last performance. Suit must be filed not less than 90 days after performance and not more than 1 year after final settlement of the prime contract.
Are there any exceptions to the public works payment bond requirement in Alaska?
Yes. Under §36.25.025, municipalities may exempt qualified contractors from compliance on projects where the estimated cost does not exceed $400,000. Additionally, under §44.33.300, the Governor may exempt the payment bond requirement when an area has been declared impacted by economic disaster. Subcontractors and suppliers should be aware that bond protection may not be available on exempt projects.