Kent County, Michigan — Mechanics Lien Filing Guide

Everything you need to know about filing a mechanics lien in Kent County under Michigan law — deadlines, notice requirements, and step-by-step process.

Preliminary Notice

20 days

Lien Filing Deadline

90 days

Enforcement Period

1 year

Notice Category

Preliminary

Mechanics Lien Requirements in Kent County

If you've provided labor, materials, or services for a construction project in Kent County,Michigan, and haven't been paid, you have the legal right to file a mechanics lien. This applies whether you're a general contractor, subcontractor, plumber, electrician, roofer, material supplier, or any other construction professional working in Kent County.

All construction projects in Kent County are governed by Michigan state law (M.C.L.A. 570.1101 et seq.). There isn't a separate Kent County lien law — the state rules apply uniformly. However, when you file the lien paperwork, you file it at the Kent County Recorder's office (or equivalent filing office).

Important: To keep your lien rights active on a Kent County project,Michigan requires you to send the “Notice of Furnishing” within 20 days of starting work or delivering materials. This is a standard compliance step — not confrontational — and it keeps all your options open.

Once you file your mechanics lien in Kent County, the property owner can't easily sell or refinance the property until your claim is resolved. You then have 1 year to file a lawsuit to enforce the lien if the owner still doesn't pay. Most disputes are resolved through payment or negotiation after the lien is filed.

Who Must Receive Notice for Kent County Projects?

Your RoleMust Notify
General ContractorNo notice required
SubcontractorProperty Owner, General Contractor
Material SupplierProperty Owner, General Contractor
LaborerProperty Owner, General Contractor
Equipment Rental CompanyProperty Owner, General Contractor
Architect / Engineer / SurveyorProperty Owner, General Contractor

Who Can File a Mechanics Lien in Kent County?

Nearly anyone who contributes to a construction project in Kent County can file a lien if they're not paid. This includes general contractors, subcontractors (electricians, plumbers, roofers, etc.), material suppliers, equipment rental companies, laborers, architects and engineers, and surveyors. You don't need a direct contract with the property owner — even if you're several layers down the payment chain, Michigan law protects your right to get paid for work done in Kent County.

How a Mechanics Lien Protects You

A mechanics lien puts a legal claim on the Kent County property you improved — the owner can't easily sell or refinance until your payment is resolved. In most cases, filing the lien is enough to get paid without going to court. To keep this option available, make sure your notices and deadlines are handled on time.

Accepted Delivery Methods

Michigan accepts these methods for delivering notices on Kent County projects:

Certified Mail (with return receipt)Personal Delivery (hand-delivered)

Key Rules for Kent County

Owner/Lessee must record Notice of Commencement before work begins

Contractor must provide sworn statement upon demand

Laborers have 30 days for wage notices, 5th of 2nd month for benefits

Claim must be served on owner designee within 15 days of recording

Filing Deadlines for Kent County

Lien Filing Deadline

90 days

From last furnishing labor or material

Enforcement Deadline

1 year

To file foreclosure action after recording the lien

Official Michigan Resources

These are official state government websites where you can look up statutes, verify contractor licenses, and search business registrations.

State Legislature

Look up Michigan lien statutes and laws

Michigan Legislature

Contractor Licensing

Verify licenses and check requirements

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

Secretary of State

Business entity search and registration

Michigan Secretary of State

File a Mechanics Lien in Kent County, Michigan

LienGrid handles the entire lien filing process in Kent County, Michigan — from required notices to the filing itself. State-compliant documents, certified mail delivery, and deadline tracking, all in one platform.

Start Free — File NowSee How It Works

Kent County Mechanics Lien FAQ

Common questions about filing a mechanics lien in Kent County, Michigan.

Filing a mechanics lien in Kent County follows Michigan state law (M.C.L.A. 570.1101 et seq.). Here's the basic process: First, you need to have sent the required "Notice of Furnishing" to the proper parties. Then, prepare your lien document with your name, the property address, a description of work done, and the amount owed. File it at the Kent County Recorder's office (or equivalent filing office) — there's usually a small recording fee. After filing, send a copy to the property owner. You have 90 days from last furnishing labor or material to file. File within this window to keep your lien rights protected.
Yes. Michigan requires a "Notice of Furnishing" for construction projects, including those in Kent County. You must send it within 20 days of when you first start working or delivering materials to the project. This notice goes to specific parties (like the property owner and general contractor) and protects your right to file a lien later if you're not paid. Sending it on time keeps your lien rights active and gives you full protection if payment issues come up later.
For projects in Kent County, you have 90 days from last furnishing labor or material to file your mechanics lien. This is a hard deadline set by Michigan state law — not a Kent County rule specifically. File within this window to keep your lien rights protected on that project. After filing, you have 1 year to file a lawsuit to enforce the lien if the owner still doesn't pay.
You file your mechanics lien at the Kent County Recorder's office (sometimes called the Register of Deeds or Clerk's office, depending on the county). This is the office that handles all real property records for Kent County. You'll need to bring your completed lien document and pay a recording fee. Some counties also accept electronic filings. The lien requirements come from Michigan state law (M.C.L.A. 570.1101 et seq.), but the actual filing happens at the county level.
For Kent County construction projects, Michigan law accepts these delivery methods: Certified Mail, Personal Delivery. The delivery method matters — using a method that isn't on the approved list could make your notice invalid even if the other party received it. Always keep proof of delivery (receipts, tracking numbers) in your project file.
Almost anyone who provides labor, materials, or services for a construction project in Kent County can file a mechanics lien if they're not paid. This includes general contractors, subcontractors (electricians, plumbers, roofers, etc.), material suppliers, equipment rental companies, architects, engineers, and laborers. Even if you don't have a direct contract with the property owner, Michigan law typically allows you to file a lien to protect your right to payment.
Yes — LienGrid automates the entire mechanics lien process for Kent County and all of Michigan. The platform tracks your deadlines, generates compliant notices with the correct Michigan statutory language, identifies required recipients, and can send notices via approved delivery methods on your behalf. Instead of manually tracking dates and managing compliance on your Kent County project, LienGrid handles it all. Start a free trial to see how it works.

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View preliminary notice requirements in Kent County
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Content reviewed by LienGrid's compliance team|Last reviewed: March 2026

This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Michigan laws change frequently — always verify current requirements and consult a licensed attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking legal action. LienGrid makes every effort to keep this information accurate, but we cannot guarantee completeness or currency.