GEORGIA PRELIMINARY NOTICE

Notice to Contractor / Preliminary Notice of Lien Rights

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. §§ 44-14-361.3 and 44-14-361.5

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Georgia has two types of preliminary notices for construction projects:

1. Notice to Contractor (O.C.G.A. § 44-14-361.5) - Required for subcontractors/suppliers without direct contract with prime contractor when a Notice of Commencement is filed

2. Preliminary Notice of Lien Rights (O.C.G.A. § 44-14-361.3) - Optional but recommended to protect against lien waivers by the contractor

THIS IS NOT A LIEN. These notices serve to preserve lien rights under Georgia law.

SELECT NOTICE TYPE

☐ Notice to Contractor - Required when Notice of Commencement filed (O.C.G.A. § 44-14-361.5)
☐ Preliminary Notice of Lien Rights - Optional but recommended (O.C.G.A. § 44-14-361.3)
☐ Both - Sending both notices for maximum protection

NOTICE DATE AND TIMING

Date of This Notice: _________________________________

Date Claimant First Furnished Labor/Materials: _________________________________

Date Notice of Commencement Filed (if applicable): _________________________________

30-Day Deadline: _________________________________
(Later of: 30 days after first furnishing OR 30 days after Notice of Commencement filed)

PART A: NOTICE TO CONTRACTOR

(O.C.G.A. § 44-14-361.5)

IMPORTANT: This notice is required only if a Notice of Commencement has been filed for the project. If no Notice of Commencement was filed, this notice is not required.

SECTION A1: RECIPIENTS

To Property Owner:

Name: _________________________________

Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
City: _________________ State: GA ZIP: _________

To General/Prime Contractor:

Name: _________________________________

Contractor License No.: _________________________________

Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
City: _________________ State: GA ZIP: _________

SECTION A2: PROPERTY INFORMATION

Property Street Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
City: _________________ County: _________________ ZIP: _________

Legal Description:
_________________________________
_________________________________

SECTION A3: CLAIMANT INFORMATION

Claimant Name: _________________________________

Business Name: _________________________________

Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
City: _________________ State: _____ ZIP: _________

Phone: _________________________ Email: _________________________

Claimant Type:
☐ Second-tier subcontractor (contracted with first-tier subcontractor)
☐ Third-tier subcontractor
☐ Supplier to subcontractor
☐ Other party without direct contract with prime contractor

SECTION A4: CONTRACTING PARTY

Name of Person/Entity with Whom Claimant Contracted:
_________________________________

Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________

SECTION A5: WORK/MATERIALS DESCRIPTION

Description of Labor, Services, or Materials Furnished or to be Furnished:

_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

Estimated or Agreed Price: $__________________

PART B: PRELIMINARY NOTICE OF LIEN RIGHTS

(O.C.G.A. § 44-14-361.3)

IMPORTANT: This notice is OPTIONAL but provides additional protection. It must be filed with the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the property is located.

SECTION B1: PROPERTY AND OWNER INFORMATION

Property Owner Name: _________________________________

Property Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
City: _________________ County: _________________ ZIP: _________

Legal Description of Property (sufficient to identify):
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

SECTION B2: CLAIMANT INFORMATION

Potential Lien Claimant Name: _________________________________

Address: _________________________________

Telephone: _________________________________

SECTION B3: CONTRACTOR INFORMATION

Name of Contractor or Other Person at Whose Instance Labor, Services, or Materials Were Furnished:

_________________________________

Address: _________________________________

SECTION B4: WORK DESCRIPTION

General Description of Labor, Services, or Materials Furnished or to be Furnished:

_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

SECTION B5: STATEMENT OF INTENT

The undersigned hereby gives notice of its intent to claim a lien under O.C.G.A. § 44-14-361 et seq. for labor, services, or materials furnished for the improvement of the real property described above.

SIGNATURE AND SERVICE (Applies to Both Notices)

SECTION C1: CLAIMANT'S SIGNATURE

I, the undersigned, declare that the information provided in this notice is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.

Signature: _________________________________ Date: _________________

Printed Name: _________________________________

Title: _________________________________

SECTION C2: PROOF OF SERVICE / FILING

For Notice to Contractor (O.C.G.A. § 44-14-361.5):

Service on General Contractor Required Within 7 Days of Filing

Filed with Clerk of Superior Court:
☐ Yes - Date Filed: _________________
☐ N/A

County of Filing: _________________________________
Filing Fee Paid: $5.00

Service on General Contractor:

Method:
☐ Certified mail, return receipt requested
☐ Registered mail
☐ Statutory overnight delivery

Date Served: _________________________________
Tracking Number: _________________________________

For Preliminary Notice of Lien Rights (O.C.G.A. § 44-14-361.3):

Filed with Clerk of Superior Court:
☐ Yes - Date Filed: _________________
☐ N/A (notice not being filed)

County of Filing: _________________________________
Book/Page No. (if known): _________________________________
Filing Fee Paid: $5.00

Certificate of Service

I certify that I served/filed this notice as indicated above.

Signature: _________________________________ Date: _________________

Printed Name: _________________________________

GEORGIA PRELIMINARY NOTICE - LEGAL REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

NOTICE TO CONTRACTOR (O.C.G.A. § 44-14-361.5)

When Required:
- Only when a Notice of Commencement has been filed for the project
- Required for parties who do NOT have a direct contract with the prime contractor
- Examples: Second-tier subcontractors, suppliers to subcontractors

Deadline:
- 30 days after claimant first furnishes labor, materials, or services, OR
- 30 days after the Notice of Commencement is filed, whichever is later

Filing Requirements:
- File with the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the property is located
- Filing fee: $5.00

Service Requirements:
- Serve a copy on the general contractor within 7 days of filing
- Service must be by certified mail, registered mail, or statutory overnight delivery

PRELIMINARY NOTICE OF LIEN RIGHTS (O.C.G.A. § 44-14-361.3)

When Recommended:
- OPTIONAL for all parties
- Recommended because it protects against contractor lien waivers
- Provides additional notice to owner

Deadline:
- 30 days after claimant first furnished labor, materials, or services

Filing Requirements:
- File with the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the property is located
- Filing fee: $5.00

Required Contents:
1. Name, address, and telephone number of potential lien claimant
2. Name and address of contractor/person at whose instance work was furnished
3. Name of property owner
4. Property description sufficient to identify the real estate

CONSEQUENCES OF FAILING TO SEND/FILE TIMELY NOTICE

Notice to Contractor:
- If a Notice of Commencement was filed and you fail to file Notice to Contractor, you may lose lien rights
- The prime contractor's lien waivers may extinguish your right to claim through subrogation

Preliminary Notice of Lien Rights:
- Since it's optional, no automatic loss of lien rights
- However, contractor lien waivers may affect your ability to enforce a lien

WHO IS EXEMPT FROM NOTICE REQUIREMENTS

• First-tier subcontractors (those with direct contract with prime contractor) - Not required to file Notice to Contractor
• Laborers (individuals performing work for wages)
• When no Notice of Commencement was filed - Notice to Contractor not required

ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT DEADLINES

NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION

Before sending notices, determine if a Notice of Commencement has been filed:
- Check with the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the project is located
- The Notice of Commencement contains contact information for owner and contractor
- If no Notice of Commencement exists, Notice to Contractor is not required (but Preliminary Notice of Lien Rights is still recommended)

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS

This form is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Georgia mechanics lien law involves multiple notice requirements that depend on the specific circumstances of your project. The consequences of failing to comply with notice requirements can result in loss of lien rights.

CONSULT AN ATTORNEY: Before relying on this form, consult with a Georgia-licensed attorney familiar with construction lien law to ensure compliance with all requirements.

MAINTAIN RECORDS: Keep copies of all notices, filing receipts, certified mail receipts, and return receipts.

Georgia Preliminary Notice Template - Version 2026.01
Based on O.C.G.A. §§ 44-14-361.3 and 44-14-361.5