Wyoming Notice of Right to Lien — W.S. § 29-2-112 Pre-Claim Notice & County Clerk Filing Guide (2026)
✓ Verified against Wyoming statutes · Reviewed August 2026 · By Michael Evan — Founder · 50 states · 799 rules
Wyoming mechanics lien deadlines at a glance
Preliminary Notice
None — N/A
Mechanics Lien
120 days — From last date of furnishing
Enforcement
180 days — From filing
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What Is the Wyoming Notice of Right to Lien and How Does the Lien Framework Work?
The Wyoming Notice of Right to Lien is the mandatory pre-claim notice every sub-tier construction claimant must serve on the property owner before sub-tier mechanic's lien rights can be enforced. Wyoming's construction lien framework is codified at W.S. Title 29, Chapter 2 (W.S. §§ 29-2-101 through 29-2-118), with general recording procedures at W.S. Title 29, Chapter 1. The framework operates as a five-gate workflow: (1) sub-tier claimants give the W.S. § 29-2-112 Notice of Right to Lien to the owner within 30 days of first furnishing; (2) all claimants record the W.S. § 29-2-109 Statement of Lien with the county clerk within 150 days (original contractor) or 120 days (sub-tier) after last furnishing — accelerated to 30 days if the owner records a W.S. § 29-1-312 Notice of Substantial Completion; (3) all claimants commence the W.S. § 29-2-110 foreclosure suit in Wyoming District Court within 180 days after recording with a lis pendens; (4) the lien proceeds to enforcement as a property-secured action; and (5) the lien is satisfied from foreclosure-sale proceeds in order of priority under W.S. § 29-1-308.
Who Must File a Wyoming Notice of Right to Lien Under W.S. § 29-2-112?
Under W.S. § 29-2-112, every sub-tier construction claimant who does not have a direct contract with the owner must give the Notice of Right to Lien — subcontractors, sub-subcontractors, material suppliers, equipment lessors, design professionals supplying through a subcontractor, and laborers furnishing through a subcontractor. Original (general) contractors in direct contract with the owner are exempt because they already have privity of contract, but they must still file the W.S. § 29-2-106 Statement of Lien within 150 days (or 30 days after a W.S. § 29-1-312 Notice of Substantial Completion). Wyoming differs from California's Cal. Civ. Code § 8200 (universal 20-day notice to owner / GC / lender), Arizona's A.R.S. § 33-992.01 (20-day notice including original contractor), Nevada's NRS 108.245 (31-day notice), and Washington's RCW 60.04.031 (60-day rolling notice) — Wyoming runs only to the owner, only from sub-tier claimants, and only within the 30-day first-furnishing window.
W.S. § 29-2-112 Notice of Right to Lien: The 30-Day Window and Service Requirements
Under W.S. § 29-2-112(a), the Notice of Right to Lien must be served on the owner within 30 days after the date the sub-tier claimant first furnished labor, materials, or equipment. The 30-day window runs from first furnishing — not from each subsequent shipment, not from contracting, not from completion. Under W.S. § 29-2-112(b), service is by certified or registered mail with return receipt requested at the owner's last-known address. The notice must include the claimant's name and address, a description of labor/materials/equipment, the estimated total amount due, the name of the person with whom the claimant contracted, and a description of the property sufficient to identify it (legal description from county clerk records plus street address). Wyoming's 30-day window is shorter than California's 20 days (which runs to owner / GC / lender), Arizona's 20 days, Nevada's 31 days, and Washington's 60-day rolling window — only Oregon's 8-business-day window is materially shorter.
After the Notice of Right to Lien: W.S. § 29-2-106 and W.S. § 29-2-107 Statement of Lien Recording
The Notice of Right to Lien only preserves sub-tier lien rights. The actual claim is the W.S. § 29-2-109 Statement of Lien, filed with the county clerk of the county in which the property is located. W.S. § 29-2-106 requires original contractors to file within 150 days after the last day labor or materials were furnished. W.S. § 29-2-107 requires sub-tier claimants to file within 120 days after the last day labor or materials were furnished. Both windows are accelerated to 30 days after the owner records a W.S. § 29-1-312 Notice of Substantial Completion — Wyoming's most dangerous lien-timing trap because the Notice of Substantial Completion is constructive notice on filing with no mailed notice to known claimants. The Statement of Lien must be verified by oath and must include the claimant's name and address, the owner's name, the contracting-party name, a sufficient property description, an itemized statement of labor or materials, dates of first and last furnishing, and the amount due after just credits and offsets.
After Recording: W.S. § 29-2-110 180-Day Foreclosure Window
Under W.S. § 29-2-110, foreclosure must be commenced in the Wyoming District Court for the judicial district in which the property is located within 180 days after the Statement of Lien is filed with the county clerk. If foreclosure is not commenced within 180 days, the lien is extinguished by operation of law. Wyoming's 180-day window is in the middle of the U.S. range — longer than Hawaii's three months under HRS § 507-45, California's 90 days under Cal. Civ. Code § 8460, and Oregon's 120 days under ORS 87.055, but shorter than Arizona/Nevada/Alaska's six months, Washington's eight months, and New Mexico's two years. A lis pendens is recorded with the county clerk. The foreclosure proceeds as a property-secured action; owners may bond around a perfected lien by depositing a release bond adequate to cover the claim plus interest, costs, and statutorily authorized attorney fees.
Wyoming's 23 Counties and Nine Judicial Districts — Public Works, Federal Projects, and Municipal Contractor Licensing
Wyoming has 23 counties: Albany (Laramie), Big Horn (Basin), Campbell (Gillette), Carbon (Rawlins), Converse (Douglas), Crook (Sundance), Fremont (Lander), Goshen (Torrington), Hot Springs (Thermopolis), Johnson (Buffalo), Laramie (Cheyenne — state capital), Lincoln (Kemmerer), Natrona (Casper), Niobrara (Lusk), Park (Cody), Platte (Wheatland), Sheridan, Sublette (Pinedale), Sweetwater (Green River / Rock Springs), Teton (Jackson — Jackson Hole), Uinta (Evanston), Washakie (Worland), and Weston (Newcastle). The W.S. § 29-2-109 Statement of Lien must be filed with the county clerk of the county where the property is located; the W.S. § 29-2-110 foreclosure must be filed in the Wyoming District Court for the judicial district where the property is located. On Wyoming state and local public works exceeding $7,500, pursue the Wyoming Mini Miller Act payment bond under W.S. § 16-6-112. On federal projects (F.E. Warren AFB in Cheyenne, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Devils Tower National Monument, Wind River BLM, Bureau of Reclamation reservoirs, U.S. Forest Service Wyoming National Forests, Wyoming National Guard, Wind River Indian Reservation), pursue the federal Miller Act payment bond under 40 U.S.C. § 3131 et seq. Wyoming has no statewide general-contractor licensing, but Cheyenne, Casper, Jackson, Gillette, Rock Springs, Sheridan, Cody, Laramie, Evanston, and Torrington maintain municipal licensing programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who must give a Wyoming Notice of Right to Lien under W.S. § 29-2-112?
Every sub-tier construction claimant who does not have a direct contract with the owner — subcontractors, sub-subcontractors, material suppliers, equipment lessors, design professionals supplying through a subcontractor, and laborers furnishing through a subcontractor. Original contractors in direct contract with the owner are exempt. The notice must be served on the owner by certified or registered mail with return receipt requested within 30 days after first furnishing labor, materials, or equipment to the project.
When must the Wyoming Notice of Right to Lien be served?
Within 30 days after the date the sub-tier claimant first furnished labor, materials, or equipment to the project. The 30-day window runs from first furnishing — not from contracting, not from each shipment, not from completion. Wyoming's 30-day window is shorter than California's 20 days (to owner / GC / lender), Arizona's 20 days, Nevada's 31 days, and Washington's 60-day rolling window — only Oregon's 8-business-day window is materially shorter. Failure to give the notice forfeits sub-tier lien rights for the entire project.
When must the Wyoming Statement of Lien be filed?
W.S. § 29-2-106 requires original contractors to file with the county clerk within 150 days after the last day labor or materials were furnished. W.S. § 29-2-107 requires sub-tier claimants to file within 120 days. Both windows are accelerated to 30 days after the owner records a W.S. § 29-1-312 Notice of Substantial Completion — Wyoming's most dangerous lien-timing trap because the Notice of Substantial Completion is constructive notice on filing with no mailed notice to known claimants.
Where is the Wyoming Statement of Lien recorded?
With the county clerk of the county in which the property is located. Wyoming has 23 counties. Filing in the wrong county is a fatal recording defect at foreclosure. Wyoming county clerk recording fees run approximately $12 for the first page plus $3 per additional page under W.S. § 18-3-402.
How long does a Wyoming mechanic's lien last after recording?
Under W.S. § 29-2-110, the foreclosure action must be commenced in the Wyoming District Court for the judicial district where the property is located within 180 days after the Statement of Lien is filed with the county clerk. If foreclosure is not commenced within 180 days, the lien is extinguished by operation of law. A lis pendens is recorded with the county clerk. Wyoming's 180-day window is in the middle of the U.S. range.
Does Wyoming require contractor licensing before filing a mechanic's lien?
Wyoming has no statewide general-contractor licensing — one of the few U.S. states without one. Electrical contractors are state-licensed under W.S. § 35-9-119. Cheyenne, Casper, Jackson, Gillette, Rock Springs, Sheridan, Cody, Laramie, Evanston, and Torrington maintain municipal contractor-licensing programs. Wyoming does not have the catastrophic licensing bars that California Bus. & Prof. Code § 7031, Arizona A.R.S. § 32-1153, Nevada NRS 624.320, or Hawaii HRS § 444-22 impose — Wyoming contractors generally retain access to Wyoming courts for compensation claims even without licensing, but municipal licensing failures can still expose contractors to penalties and contract-enforceability issues.
How does Wyoming handle public works and federal projects?
No private lien attaches to public property. On Wyoming state, county, municipal, and school-district public works over $7,500, pursue the prime contractor's payment bond under the Wyoming Mini Miller Act at W.S. § 16-6-112. On federal projects (F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Devils Tower, Wind River BLM, Bureau of Reclamation Buffalo Bill / Boysen / Pathfinder / Seminoe / Glendo / Alcova reservoirs, U.S. Forest Service Bridger-Teton / Shoshone / Bighorn / Medicine Bow-Routt / Black Hills National Forest, Wyoming National Guard, Wind River Indian Reservation), pursue the federal Miller Act payment bond under 40 U.S.C. § 3131 et seq.