Oklahoma mechanic's liens

Who and what this applies to

Private real-property construction liens; original contractors and qualifying subcontractors, suppliers and laborers.

Thresholds and scope

Pre-lien notice generally applies to non-original claimants; owner-occupied dwellings have stricter notice protection.

The rules

• Under §142, an original contractor files the verified lien statement with the county clerk within four months after last furnishing; §143 gives covered lower-tier claimants 90 days after last furnishing under their subcontract. Source
• Section 142.6 generally requires non-original claimants to send pre-lien notice to the owner and original contractor before filing and within 75 days after last furnishing. Exceptions include agreed retainage, claims below $10,000 and qualifying non-owner-occupied residential projects of four or fewer units; the owner-occupied-dwelling rule overrides the monetary/residential exceptions. Source
• Section 172 requires a lien-enforcement action within one year after filing. Source

Deadlines

Pre-lien notice generally 75 days; filing four months for original contractors or 90 days for lower tiers; suit one year after filing.

Primary sources

• os42.pdf

Sources reviewed 2026-09-30. This guide covers the projects and rules stated above.

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