In Oklahoma, the GC gets 4 months to file and subs and suppliers get 90 days. Before filing, subs and suppliers usually need a pre-lien notice sent within 75 days of their last work. On owner-occupied homes, that notice is required no matter how small the claim.
Quick answer: Subs and suppliers send a pre-lien notice to the owner and GC within 75 days of last furnishing (unless exempt). GCs file within 4 months of last furnishing; subs and suppliers within 90 days. Foreclose within 1 year of filing.
Oklahoma lien deadlines at a glance
| Step | Who | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-lien notice | Subs, sub-subs and suppliers | Before filing, and no later than 75 days after last furnishing |
| Lien statement | GC (contract with owner) | 4 months after last furnishing |
| Lien statement | Subs and suppliers | 90 days after last furnishing |
| Foreclosure suit | Everyone | 1 year after filing |
Who can file a lien in Oklahoma
Anyone who furnishes labor, materials or equipment to improve land can lien, either under a contract with the owner or through a contractor or sub. Sub-subs count as subs.
Notices before the lien
Subs, sub-subs and suppliers must send a pre-lien notice to the original contractor and the owner before filing, and no later than 75 days after their last furnishing. Certified mail or hand delivery with a receipt is the safe choice.
It's not required for claims under $10,000 total, for non-owner-occupied residential projects of 4 or fewer units, or for retainage. It is always required for owner-occupied homes.
Filing the lien
File a sworn lien statement with the county clerk: within 4 months for GCs, within 90 days for subs and suppliers. Subs and suppliers also give the clerk a notarized affidavit confirming the pre-lien notice was sent (when required). The county clerk then mails notice of the lien to the owner, using the addresses you provide.
Residential jobs
On owner-occupied homes, a lien is invalid without a pre-lien notice sent within 75 days of last furnishing, even on a small claim. Non-owner-occupied residential projects of 4 or fewer units are exempt from the notice.
After you file
Give the county clerk the owner's address and the address of the party who owes you; the clerk mails the owner notice of the filing. You must sue to foreclose within 1 year of filing. Owners can bond off the lien with a bond of 125% of the claim.
Mistakes that cost Oklahoma contractors their lien
- Skipping the pre-lien notice on an owner-occupied home because the claim is small.
- Using the GC's 4-month deadline when you're a sub or supplier with 90 days.
- Forgetting the notarized pre-lien affidavit when filing, or missing the 1-year foreclosure deadline.
Missed the deadline or the lien didn't pay?
The debt doesn't go away when lien rights do. The party that hired you still owes you, and we can pursue it through construction collections on contingency, 10% to 33%, with no charge if we don't collect. Here's what you can still do.
Still in your window? We prepare, file and serve Oklahoma liens, usually in about 2 business days. Start a lien →
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a mechanics lien in Oklahoma?
4 months after last furnishing if you contracted with the owner, and 90 days if you're a sub or supplier.
Do I need a pre-lien notice in Oklahoma?
Subs and suppliers usually do, within 75 days of last furnishing. Claims under $10,000 and some small residential projects are exempt, but owner-occupied homes always require it.
How long does an Oklahoma lien last?
You must file suit to foreclose within 1 year after filing the lien.
This article is general information, not legal advice. LevelSet Collections is not a law firm. Deadlines are based on Oklahoma Statutes Title 42, sections 141 through 153 as of October 2026, and lien laws change. Confirm your dates for your specific job. Sources: 42 O.S. § 142.6, 42 O.S. § 143, Oklahoma Bar Journal: To Lien or Not To Lien.
Owed money on a Oklahoma job?
Liens from $199, filed in about 2 business days. Call (469) 694-8003.
