How to File a Mechanics Lien in Nevada
Step 1 — Confirm you have lien rights in Nevada
Nevada's recorded rules cover subcontractors and suppliers, general contractors (NRS § 108.245). Each of those roles has its own filing window — see Step 3. Nevada rule detail: REQUIRED: Serve preliminary notice within 31 days of first furnishing. No notice = no lien rights. Serve by certified mail.
Step 2 — Send the Nevada preliminary notice
Nevada requires a preliminary notice 31 days (comm), notice of right (NRS § 108.226). It is a precondition, not a formality. It must reach County Recorder and Owner and GC and Prime Contractor and Surety and Prime Contractor and Construction Lender or Owner and Construction Lender. Delivery: Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested. Nevada rule detail: File notice of lien within 90 days of last furnishing. Serve copy on owner within 30 days of recording.
Step 3 — Your Nevada filing deadline
Nevada sets the window by claimant role: • Subcontractors and suppliers: within 90 days of your last day of work or materials. • General contractors: within 90 days of project completion. The clock runs from completion — not your invoice date. Punch-list and warranty callbacks generally do not restart it. Nevada rule detail: File notice of lien within 90 days of completion or cessation of work.
Step 4 — Prepare and record the lien in Nevada
Record in the county where the property sits, under NRS § 108.233. The document must identify the property, the owner of record, the amount actually owed, and what you furnished. Overstating the amount can void the claim outright. Nevada rule detail: File suit to enforce lien within 6 months of recording. Lien expires after 6 months if not enforced.
Step 5 — Serve the recorded Nevada lien
Nevada requires service on County Recorder and Owner and GC and Prime Contractor and Surety and Prime Contractor and Construction Lender or Owner and Construction Lender. Use Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested and keep the receipt. In many states an unserved lien is unenforceable even though it appears on title. Nevada rule detail: Written notice within 90 days of last furnishing. Bond required on public projects over $100,000.
Step 6 — Enforce before the Nevada deadline expires
You must sue to foreclose within 6 months (filing) (NRS § 339.025). Miss it and the lien expires and title clears, leaving only a contract claim. Nevada rule detail: File suit on payment bond within 6 months of last furnishing.
Nevada stop notice option
Nevada also recognises a stop notice, which reaches undisbursed construction funds rather than the property itself (NRS § 108.2403). It can be used alongside a lien. Nevada rule detail: No sooner than 90 days, no later than 1 year.
Retainage rules that affect your Nevada claim
Nevada treats retainage on its own schedule (NRS § 338.555), so money still held back may have a different due date than your progress billings. Nevada rule detail: Prime must pay sub within 10 days of receiving payment from owner. Interest at prime rate + 2% on late payments after written demand.
Other Nevada requirements that void liens
• Public retainage released within 45 days of completion/acceptance. Private: per contract. 10% maximum retainage. • NV STOP NOTICE: After serving 31-day preliminary notice, a claimant may serve a Stop Notice on the construction lender. Lender must withhold funds equal to 125% of claimed amount. Must be served before lender makes the final disbursement of construction funds. • NV NOTICE OF COMPLETION: Owner or prime contractor records a Notice of Completion within 3 working days of completion of work. Recording triggers the lien deadline for claimants: 15 days after notice of completion is recorded (for sub-tier claimants who have already served prelim notice). If no notice recorded, 90-day window applies. • NV STOP NOTICE: After serving 31-day preliminary notice, served on construction lender. Lender must withhold 125% of claimed amount. Must be served before final disbursement of construction loan funds. Freezes undisbursed loan amounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a mechanics lien in Nevada?
Nevada requires the lien to be recorded within 90 days, measured from completion. The exact window depends on your role — subcontractors and suppliers: within 90 days of your last day of work or materials.
Do I need to send a preliminary notice before filing in Nevada?
Yes. Nevada requires a preliminary notice 31 days (comm) (notice of right). Failing to send it on time generally forfeits your lien rights entirely, regardless of how much you are owed.
Where do I file a mechanics lien in Nevada?
File with the county recorder's office in the county where the property is located. Filing in the wrong county does not preserve your deadline, and re-filing in the correct county after the deadline will not save the claim.
What happens if I miss the Nevada filing deadline?
Your lien rights are extinguished. Nevada courts do not grant extensions for missed mechanics lien deadlines. You would be left with a breach-of-contract claim against whoever hired you, which carries no security interest in the property and is far harder to collect.
How long does a mechanics lien last in Nevada?
Once recorded, you must file suit to enforce within 6 months (filing). If you do not, the lien expires automatically and no longer clouds the property's title.