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Washington · RCW 60.04.091, 60.04.141Washington construction lien deadlines: the 90-day claim and the eight-month suit

In Washington, anyone claiming a lien for labor, professional services, materials or equipment must record a notice of claim of lien in the county where the property is no later than 90 days after it stopped furnishing them; the notice states the claimant, the first and last dates of furnishing, the person who owes the money, a description of the property, the owner if known and the principal amount, and is signed under penalty of perjury and acknowledged (RCW 60.04.091). A lien doesn't bind the property for more than eight calendar months after recording unless the claimant files a suit to enforce it in the county's superior court within that time and serves the owner within 90 days of filing – or, if credit terms are stated in the claim, eight months after the credit expires (RCW 60.04.141).

The deadlines

  1. 1. Claim of lien (60.04.091)

    Recorded within 90 days after the last furnishing.

  2. 2. Contents

    Claimant, dates, debtor, property, owner and amount – signed under penalty of perjury.

  3. 3. Suit (60.04.141)

    Within eight months after recording; owner served within 90 days of filing.

  4. 4. Credit terms

    Eight months after the stated credit expires.

What the TC can do

  • If the seller had work done in the last 90 days, ask for lien releases from the contractors.
  • Send any recorded claim of lien to the title company before closing.
  • Keep the releases in the deal file.

Questions about Washington construction liens

How long does a Washington contractor have to record a lien?

No later than 90 days after it stopped furnishing labor, services, materials or equipment (RCW 60.04.091).

When does a Washington construction lien expire?

Eight calendar months after recording, unless a suit is filed in that time and the owner is served within 90 days of filing (RCW 60.04.141).

Related guides

Add a task in ClosingCode for lien releases from recent contractors, with an owner and a due date before closing.

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Source: RCW 60.04.091 and 60.04.141 (app.leg.wa.gov, read October 26, 2026).

General information, not legal advice. The title company decides how a lien affects the title policy. ClosingCode is software; it is not a law firm or title company. This guide is not a substitute for the advice or services of an attorney.