Mechanics Lien Release (Comprehensive Multi-State)

MECHANICS LIEN RELEASE

PART A: RELEASE OF RECORDED MECHANICS LIEN

(Use this form to release a lien that has already been recorded)

1. Recording Information

2. Parties

3. Property Information

4. Original Lien Information

5. Release Type

Select One:

☐ UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE — Payment has been received and verified.
The Claimant acknowledges receipt of payment and unconditionally releases the lien.

☐ CONDITIONAL RELEASE — Payment is pending clearance.
This release becomes effective only upon Claimant's actual receipt of cleared funds.

6. Release Statement

FOR UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE:

In consideration of the payment of $[PAYMENT AMOUNT], receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned Claimant does hereby release, discharge, and cancel the mechanics lien described above, together with all right, title, and interest in and to said lien, and consents to the cancellation and discharge of the lien of record.

FOR CONDITIONAL RELEASE:

Upon receipt by the undersigned Claimant of a check from [MAKER OF CHECK] in the sum of $[AMOUNT] payable to [PAYEE(S)], and when the check has been properly endorsed and has been paid by the bank on which it is drawn, this document shall become effective to release, discharge, and cancel the mechanics lien described above.

7. Exceptions and Reservations (if any)

☐ No exceptions — This release covers ALL amounts claimed in the original lien.

☐ Partial release — This release covers only a portion of the lien as follows:

☐ Reserved claims (not released):

8. Claimant Signature

I, the undersigned, am authorized to execute this release on behalf of the Claimant and declare that the foregoing is true and correct.

9. Notary Acknowledgment

IMPORTANT: Most states require notarization for recording a lien release.

State of [STATE] )
) ss.
County of [COUNTY] )

On this ___ day of ____________, 20__, before me, the undersigned notary public, personally appeared [NAME], ☐ personally known to me OR ☐ proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the instrument.

WITNESS my hand and official seal.

Notary Public Signature: ________________________________

Printed Name: [NOTARY NAME]

My Commission Expires: _________________________

[NOTARY SEAL]

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PART B: STATE-SPECIFIC NOTARY BLOCKS

(Select the appropriate notary block for your state)

Commonwealth States (Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia)

Commonwealth of [STATE] )
) ss.
County of [COUNTY] )

On this ___ day of ____________, 20__, before me, the undersigned notary public, personally appeared [NAME], who acknowledged that he/she executed the foregoing instrument for the purposes therein contained.

Notary Public: ________________________________
My Commission Expires: _________________________

Louisiana (Parish)

State of Louisiana )
Parish of [PARISH] )

On this ___ day of ____________, 20__, before me, the undersigned notary public, personally appeared [NAME], who acknowledged execution of this instrument.

Notary Public: ________________________________
Notary ID/Bar Roll No.: _________________________

California

State of California )
County of [COUNTY] )

On ____________, 20__, before me, [NOTARY NAME], a notary public, personally appeared [NAME], who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the instrument.

I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.

WITNESS my hand and official seal.

Notary Public Signature: ________________________________
[NOTARY SEAL]

Texas

State of Texas )
County of [COUNTY] )

This instrument was acknowledged before me on this ___ day of ____________, 20__, by [NAME], [TITLE] of [ENTITY NAME], [a/an] [STATE] [ENTITY TYPE], on behalf of said [ENTITY TYPE].

Notary Public, State of Texas: ________________________________
Printed Name: _________________________
My Commission Expires: _________________________
[NOTARY SEAL]

Florida

State of Florida )
County of [COUNTY] )

The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me by means of ☐ physical presence OR ☐ online notarization, this ___ day of ____________, 20__, by [NAME], who ☐ is personally known to me OR ☐ produced [TYPE OF ID] as identification.

Notary Public - State of Florida: ________________________________
Printed Name: _________________________
My Commission Expires: _________________________
Commission No.: _________________________
[NOTARY SEAL]

PART C: IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTES AND STATE REQUIREMENTS

General Requirements

1. Recording: This release must be recorded with the county recorder/clerk in the same county where the original lien was recorded.

2. Copy to Owner: Provide a copy of the recorded release to the property owner.

3. Timing Penalties: Some states impose penalties for failure to timely release:
   - Arizona: Must release within 20 days of payment AND written request; penalty for non-compliance
   - California: Must release within 10 days of written demand; penalties available
   - Florida: Failure to release may result in liability for damages and attorney's fees
   - Texas: May constitute a fraudulent lien under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 12.002

4. Recording Fees: Be prepared to pay county recording fees (typically $10-$50 per document).

States with Statutory Form Requirements

The following states have MANDATORY statutory waiver/release forms. DO NOT USE THIS UNIVERSAL TEMPLATE in these states without verifying compliance:

Lien Waiver vs. Lien Release

• Lien Waiver: Prospective document waiving the RIGHT to file a lien (used during project, typically NOT recorded)
• Lien Release: Document releasing/canceling a lien that HAS BEEN filed (MUST be recorded)

This template is for a LIEN RELEASE — canceling an existing recorded lien.

Verification Before Releasing

Before executing an unconditional release, verify:
☐ Payment has been received
☐ Check has cleared (if payment by check)
☐ Wire transfer has been confirmed (if payment by wire)
☐ All disputed amounts have been resolved or properly excepted

WARNING: Once a lien is released, it is extremely difficult to reinstate. Never sign an unconditional release until payment has been verified.