Updated Nov 11, 2025 | Private Projects: AK Stat § 34.35.064 , 068
In Alaska, mechanics liens protect material suppliers and other construction participants from non-payment. There are specific requirements for a valid mechanics lien.
Material Suppliers’ Mechanics Lien in Alaska
Suppliers must ensure that materials are delivered to the real property and incorporated into the project to qualify for lien rights. (AS 34.35.050(3)). Alaska doesn’t require a preliminary notice to secure lien rights. However, it is still best practice to serve a Notice of Right to Lien as discussed in detail in our Preliminary Notice in Alaska article.
Serving a Notice of Right to Lien ensures that you are notified in case the owner files a Notice of Completion, which shortens the deadline of lien filing drastically. Failure to file a mechanics lien in time is fatal to your lien rights.
How to File a Mechanics Lien in Alaska
By end of the project or upon receiving notice of NOC recordation, you may now prepare to file a mechanics lien for unpaid materials and work in Alaska private projects. Without an NOC filed by the owner, the default deadline is 120 days from last delivery. Once an NOC is recorded, the deadline shortens to 15 days after recordation.
1. Prepare your mechanics lien document
Your Alaska mechanics lien or Claim of Lien must contain the following information: (AS 34.35.070)
- a legal description of the property subject to lien
- the name of the owner
- the name and address of the claimant
- the name and address of the person with whom the claimant contracted
- a general description of the labor, materials, or services provided to the project
- the amount due to the claimant for the labor, materials, services, or equipment
- the date the last labor, materials, services, or equipment was furnished
Alaska law no longer requires notarization of a mechanics-lien form—subsection (b) of AS 34.35.070 was repealed. You may still include a notary acknowledgment if a local recorder prefers one.
2. Record your mechanics lien
Once your mechanics lien form is ready, you may record your lien in the recorder’s office in the district where the project is located. There is no statutory requirement to notify the property owner that you have recorded a mechanics lien. Make sure to file the lien within the deadline.
3. Enforce/release the mechanics lien
After recording your mechanics lien, you will either have to enforce the lien if you remain unpaid or release the lien if payment has been made.
Claimants must file a lawsuit to enforce the lien within 6 months of lien recording in state court. This deadline can be extended another 6 months by filing an extension notice. The Extension Notice must be recorded in the same office where you filed the original mechanics lien. (AS 34.35.085)If you receive your full payment before your mechanics lien expires, you are expected to cancel or release the lien. This step is not a strict requirement in Alaska, but it is considered best practice in the industry to have a mechanics lien released once it has been satisfied. (AS 34.35.110)