Subcontractor preliminary lien notice / notice of intent to lien
By Justin Winter · Updated August 22, 2026
The short answer
The delivery record of a preliminary notice matters if you later have to file a mechanics lien. Send it Certified with electronic Return Receipt, $14.99 all-in: USPS records when it was mailed and when it was signed for. Preview the exact pages free. Lien deadlines vary by state; this template is not legal advice.
The math
The math on one certified letter.
| Option | Cost | Your time |
|---|---|---|
| paperplane, Certified + Return Receipt | $14.99, all in | About two minutes |
| At the counter | USPS fees, plus printing, an envelope and the trip | About ten minutes at the counter, plus the drive and the line |
USPS charges the same fees whoever hands the letter over. The difference is the trip, the form and the slip you keep for a year.
How it works
- Open the template and fill in the bracketed fields with your specific details.
- Confirm the recipient's address.
- Pay $14.99 — we print the next business day and email you the tracking number.
- Your document file is permanently deleted 30 days after delivery.
This is a template, not legal advice — requirements and available remedies vary by state and by your specific situation, so confirm the details that matter for your case before sending.
Questions before you send
Why not go to the post office myself?
You can, and if your time is free it costs less. USPS charges the same fees whoever hands the letter over; paperplane does not replace the post office, it replaces the trip. The mailing record comes from USPS, not from us. $12.99 covers the printing, the envelope, PS Form 3800, a USPS address check before you pay and a handoff the next business day. For a letter you already know how to send, the counter is a fine choice.
What if they refuse the letter?
USPS tracking records what happened to it, including refused or unclaimed. You still have the mailing record. Rules on what that means vary, so check with your court or an attorney if a deadline depends on it.
If something goes wrong, do I pay?
If we cannot mail the letter, the hold on your card is released and you are not charged. If a letter fails after your card is charged, you are refunded automatically and in full.
Why send a preliminary notice by certified mail?
Many states require proof that a preliminary notice or notice of intent to lien was actually delivered before a mechanics lien can be enforced. Certified Mail with electronic Return Receipt gives you a dated, signed delivery record you can keep with your file.
Who should this notice go to?
Typically the property owner and/or the general contractor, depending on your state's lien statute and your position in the contracting chain. Some states also require notice to the construction lender.
Does sending this letter file a lien?
No. This is a preliminary notice or notice of intent, often a required or recommended step before filing an actual mechanics lien with the county. It gives the owner or GC a chance to pay before the lien is recorded.
Is this legal advice?
No — this is a template, not legal advice. Mechanics lien law is highly state- and sometimes county-specific, including notice deadlines, required recipients, and required language. Confirm your state's requirements or consult a construction attorney before sending, especially if a lien filing may follow.