Rhode Island Mechanic's Lien Template

Filing Deadline

Notice of Intention to Claim Lien must be (a) mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) to the owner of record AND (b) recorded in the land evidence records of the city/town where the property is located, within 200 days after the claimant last performed work or last furnished materials. The recorded Notice of Intention IS the lien — RI uniquely collapses 'preliminary notice' and 'lien' into a single instrument. The lien covers only labor/materials furnished within the 200 days immediately preceding the recording (RI Gen. Laws Sec. 34-28-4). A separate Complaint to Enforce Lien plus Notice of Lis Pendens must then be filed in Superior Court within 40 days after the Notice of Intention is recorded, or the lien is void (Sec. 34-28-10).

Clock starts: Last day claimant performed labor or last day materials were delivered/furnished to the project (NOT substantial completion of the whole project, and NOT the date of final payment).

Where to Record

Land evidence records of the city or town where the real property is located (Rhode Island has no functional county recording — all recording is at the municipal city/town clerk / recorder of deeds level). For Providence (the largest municipality), file with the Providence Recorder of Deeds, 25 Dorrance Street, Room 508, Providence, RI 02903. The Complaint to Enforce Lien and Notice of Lis Pendens are filed in the Rhode Island Superior Court for the county in which the property is located.

Notarization

Required — document must be sworn before a notary.

Rhode Island mechanic's liens (the Notice of Intention to Claim Lien) MUST be notarized to be valid for recording in the land evidence records. The claimant signs under oath before a notary public. La

Service Requirement

Service of the Notice of Intention is accomplished BEFORE/SIMULTANEOUS WITH recording, by mailing the notice via prepaid registered or certified mail with return receipt requested to the owner of record at the owner's last known address (and, when the claimant is a sub or supplier, customary practice is to also mail a copy to the prime contractor). After recording, Rhode Island does NOT require a separate post-recording service of the recorded notice. However, the claimant MUST file a Complaint to Enforce Lien in Superior Court and record a Notice of Lis Pendens in the same land evidence records within 40 days of the Notice of Intention being recorded, and then serve the complaint on all interested parties per the Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure. Keep the green card / certified mail return receipt and an affidavit of mailing — these are evidence of perfection.