Filing deadline

Notice of Mechanic's Lien recorded with the D.C. Recorder of Deeds "during the construction or within 90 days after the earlier of the completion or termination of the project" (D.C. Code § 40-301.02). The statute permits recording during construction on its face, though the Recorder's office has at times refused mid-project filings — confirm with the Recorder before filing early. The notice must identify the claimant, the owner of record, the property (DC indexes by Lot and Square — filings without them risk rejection), the contracting party, the work, the amount less credits, and attach the contract (or relevant portions).

Notice prerequisites

No preliminary or pre-work notice is required from any claimant tier.

Service on the owner

Serve a copy of the recorded notice on the owner of record within 5 business days after recording (§ 40-301.02(e)), by certified mail or another trackable method; recording comes first.

Enforcement

Enforcement suit within 180 days after recording (§ 40-303.13), with a notice of pendency (lis pendens) filed with the Recorder of Deeds.

D.C. Code §§ 40-301.01 to 40-303.20 (esp. §§ 40-301.02, 40-301.03, 40-303.13)