Oklahoma Mechanic Lien Law: Complete Guide
Your Complete Guide to Mechanic Lien Rights Under Oklahoma Statute Annotated Title 42 §141-154 — Private Works, Oil & Gas, Equipment Lessors & Public Projects
Oklahoma mechanic lien deadline table with toggles for project type and claimant type.
Oklahoma 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
Record the Lien Statement with the county clerk within 4 months after last furnishing labor, materials, or equipment.
Commence suit to foreclose the lien within 1 year after filing the Lien Statement, and not sooner than 90 days after filing.
Preliminary Notice
Mechanic Lien
Record the Lien Statement with the county clerk within 4 months after last furnishing labor, materials, or equipment.
Enforcement
Commence suit to foreclose the lien within 1 year after filing the Lien Statement, and not sooner than 90 days after filing.
Oklahoma Mechanic Lien Law Overview
Oklahoma construction mechanic lien rights are governed by Oklahoma Statute Annotated Title 42 §141-154 and §171-180. This statutory framework provides Mechanic's Lien rights to contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, and equipment lessors who furnish labor, materials, or equipment for the improvement of real property in the State of Oklahoma.
Oklahoma has distinct filing deadlines for different claimant types. Contractors must record a Mechanic Lien Statement within 4 months of last performance. Subcontractors and materialmen must file a Pre-Lien Notice no later than 75 days after last furnishing (with a $10,000 minimum threshold) and record a Mechanic Lien Statement within 90 days of last performance or delivery. Equipment lessors must provide Notice to Owner within 5 days of equipment being placed on-site.
For owner-occupied dwellings, Oklahoma requires additional statutory notices. Contractors must include statutory notice in their contracts, and subcontractors must give statutory notice not later than 75 days after first furnishing. Equipment lessors on owner-occupied dwellings must give statutory notice before beginning work.
Oklahoma also provides mechanic lien rights for oil and gas projects under §144-145, with separate notice and filing requirements. Public works projects over $25,000 require bonds under Title 61 §1. National Lien & Bond provides authoritative guidance on every aspect of Oklahoma construction mechanic lien compliance.
Topics on This Page
Oklahoma Mechanic Lien Law: Key Topics
Navigate the critical compliance areas for Oklahoma construction mechanic lien law.
Notice Requirements
Pre-Lien Notice within 75 days for subcontractors, Equipment Lessor 5-day notice, owner-occupied dwelling statutory notices, and public works bond notice within 90 days
Mechanic Lien Deadlines
4-month Mechanic Lien Statement for contractors, 90-day filing for subcontractors, County Clerk service to owner, oil and gas mechanic lien deadlines, and $10,000 Pre-Lien threshold
Mechanic Lien Enforcement Deadlines
1-year suit deadline from mechanic lien filing, public works bond suit within 1 year, retainage provisions, and oil and gas enforcement
Frequently Asked Questions
What statute governs mechanic liens in Oklahoma?
Construction mechanic liens are governed by Oklahoma Statute Annotated Title 42 §141-154 and §171-180. Oil and gas mechanic liens are under §144-145. Public works bonds are governed by Title 61 §1-2 for contracts over $25,000.
Is a preliminary notice required to file a mechanic lien in Oklahoma?
Contractors need no general preliminary notice. Subcontractors must file a Pre-Lien Notice within 75 days of last furnishing (not required under $10,000). Equipment lessors must give Notice to Owner within 5 days of placing equipment on-site. Owner-occupied dwellings have additional notice requirements.
What is the deadline to file a mechanic lien in Oklahoma?
Contractors: 4 months from last performance. Subcontractors and materialmen: 90 days from last performance. Equipment lessors: 90 days. Oil and gas: 120 days. The County Clerk serves notice to the owner within 5 days of recording.
How does Oklahoma mechanic lien law differ from other states?
Oklahoma has several unique features: different filing deadlines for contractors (4 months) vs. subcontractors (90 days), equipment lessor mechanic lien rights with 5-day notice, separate oil and gas mechanic lien provisions, the County Clerk automatically notifies the owner, a $10,000 Pre-Lien threshold, and public works retainage provisions (10%/5%).
What are the notice requirements for Oklahoma public works bond claims?
Subcontractors, materialmen, and third-tier subcontractors must serve Notice of Claim on Bond to the contractor and surety within 90 days of last performance by certified mail. Suit must be filed within 1 year of last performance. Applies to projects over $25,000.
What is the deadline to file suit to enforce an Oklahoma construction mechanic lien?
All claimants must file suit within 1 year from the date of filing the Mechanic Lien Statement. For public works bond claims, suit within 1 year after last performance. For oil and gas mechanic liens, 1 year from mechanic lien filing.