Updated Nov 11, 2025 | Private Projects: AK Stat § 34.35.064 , 068
In Alaska, a Notice of Right to Lien is an optional preliminary notice for material suppliers, optional as it’s not strictly required but it impacts the timeline of lien filing. Material suppliers do not lose mechanics lien rights when they fail to serve one, however, it may make deadlines tighter for lien filing in certain situations.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about serving a Notice of Right to Lien in Alaska.
What is a Notice of Right to Lien in Alaska?
A Notice of Right to Lien is Alaska’s preliminary notice, a document that informs a property owner that you are involved in the construction or improvement of their property. Consequently, it also lets them know that you are expecting to get paid for your work and that if payment issues arise, you are willing to exercise your mechanics lien rights.
When to Serve the Alaska Notice of Right to Lien
A Notice of Right to Lien may be given at any time, but it is recommended to send one prior to first delivery.
How to Serve an Alaska Notice of Right to Lien
- Prepare the Notice of Right to Lien form
- Serve the Alaska Notice of Right to Lien on the owner or owner’s agent
- Serve the most recent accounting of the unpaid amount upon owner’s request
How to Serve the Alaska Notice of Right to Lien
- Prepare the Notice of Right to Lien form.
The notice of right to lien must include: (1) legal property description, (2) owner’s name, (3) claimant’s name/address, (4) contractor’s name/address, (5) general description of labor/materials, (6) a statement of possible lien entitlement, and (7) the required statutory warning (AS 34.35.064(a)).
WARNING: Unless provision is made for payment of sums that may be due to the undersigned, your above property may be subject to foreclosure to satisfy those sums even though you may pay a prime contractor or other person for the labor, material, service, or equipment furnished by the undersigned.
- Serve the Alaska Notice of Right to Lien on the appropriate parties
An Alaska Notice of Right to Lien must be served on the property owner or ther agent via certified mail with return-receipt requested or personal delivery with acknowledgment. If you serve the notice after work starts, you must also record it in the district recorder’s office to obtain statutory protection (AS 34.35.067). - Serve the most recent accounting of the unpaid amount upon request
Upon request by an owner, lender, or GC, a lien claimant who served a notice of right to lien must furnish an updated statement of the amount due including the most recent invoices and an estimate of the cost for prospective work or materials within 5 days of request.
Benefits of Serving a Notice of Right to Lien in Alaska
- It is documented proof that the property owners are aware of their obligation to get you paid.
Preliminary notices inform property owners of parties that might file a mechanics lien if unpaid. In Alaska, a preliminary notice is not mandatory, meaning owners could claim ignorance of your involvement in a payment dispute. Serving a valid Alaska Notice of Right to Lien solves this: a recorded notice shifts the burden of proof, requiring the owner—not you—to prove lack of knowledge or consent (AS 34.35.064(a)). - It ensures that you are notified if a Notice of Completion was filed by the property owner.
An owner’s filing of a Notice of Completion significantly shortens the deadline for claimants to file a mechanics lien to just 15 days after the Notice of Completion is recorded. This is much shorter than the standard 120-day deadline from the last date of delivery when no Notice of Completion is recorded.
The owner is legally obligated to notify all claimants who served an optional Notice of Right to Lien at least 5 days before recording the Notice of Completion. If the owner fails to notify these specific claimants within this required timeframe, their deadline to file a lien remains the standard 120 days from the last delivery.
However, all other claimants who did not serve a Notice of Right to Lien are not legally required to be notified by the owner and will be subject to the shortened 15-day lien filing deadline following the recordation of the Notice of Completion.