Guide to filing a mechanics lien in Contra Costa County

Nonpayment is a huge problem in the construction industry, and regardless of how protected you are under your state’s laws, it’s an issue that most contractors will face sooner or later. In the event of nonpayment, mechanics liens are a valuable asset that work hard to get you paid quickly. Many contractors don’t know where to start when recording a lien for the first time. If you’re in Contra Costa County, this page will help you get oriented with the Contra Costa County Recorder’s Office, as well as the recording requirements, margin and page size requirements, filing fees, and other useful information that helps you get it right the first time. You can also find out how to easily file with Levelset in just a few clicks or file remotely by mail to the Recorder’s Office.

If you need a breakdown of the entire filing process, you can refer to our Guide to Filing a Mechanics Lien in California. It covers the information you must include, the deadlines, and other limitations for filing a mechanics lien in California and Contra Costa County.

Where is the Contra Costa County Recorder's Office that files mechanic liens?

You can file your mechanic liens in person at:

The County Clerk-Recorder’s Office

555 Escobar Street
Martinez, CA 94553

Recorder
8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday, including the noon hour.

Clerk / Copy Section
8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday, including the noon hour.

You can mail your lien documents to:

The County Clerk-Recorder’s Office
555 Escobar Street
Martinez, CA 94553

If you need more information, you contact the County Clerk-Recorder’s Office at (925) 335-7900.

What is Contra Costa County's Recording Backlog?

Contra Costa County doesn’t publicly disclose their recording backlog, but the average turnaround time for a document submitted for recording is 30 days. Note that documents recorded electronically through an agent will not be returned from The County Clerk-Recorder’s office.

Should my mechanics lien be filed in Contra Costa County, or some other county?

If work on the project was completed in Contra Costa, and the location of the property work was performed on is in Contra Costa County, then your lien should be filed with the Contra Costa County Recoder’s Office.

What are Contra Costa County's requirements for recording a mechanics lien?

To comply with the eligibility requirements set by the County Clerk-Recorder’s Office, make sure your document contains the required information and is photographically reproducible. Use black or dark blue ink, and do not use higlighter pens to ensure the document will scan properly. Use only standard fonts (Arial and Times New Roman) in a standard font size, 10 or larger, underline items you want to highlight and do not use bold type in the body of a document.

 

What are the margin & page size requirements to file a lien in Contra Costa County?

All documents must be on regular letter-sized paper: “8.5 x 11”.

The margins of the recording document should be 1.5 inches on all sides.

Non-conforming page sizes incur additional recording fees.

How can I make payment to the Contra Costa County Recorder?

The County Clerk-Recorder’s Office accepts cash, pre-printed checks, credit and debit cards. Note that credit and debit cards are subject to an additional service fee. Checks should be made payable to “Clerk-Recorder”. The address on the check should be the same as your picture identification.

What are the filing fees to record a mechanics lien in Contra Costa County?

The Contra Costa County Recorder’s base fee to file a mechanics lien is $17.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page of the same document.

This is based on a regular recording fee of $17.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page, plus $75 for the California SB-2 Building Homes and Jobs Act. 

Additional recording fees

Non-conforming Fee:
$3.00 per page that is not 8.5”x11”.

Indexing Fee: $1.00 for each group of 10 names or fractional
portion thereof after the initial group of 10 names.
$1.00 per reference to previously recorded document (after the
first one)

Penalty Print:

$1.00 per page if wording added to the printed form is spaced more than 9 lines per vertical inch or has more than 22 characters and spaces per inch measured horizontally.

Lien Recording Fees

Release of Lien, Judgment, Encumbrance or Notice: $15.00
Federal Tax Lien or Release: $17.00 per document title

Fees to obtain a copy
There are also fees charged to get a copy back from the recorder.

Official Record Copy: $1.00 for each page
Certified Copy: $2.50
Conformed Copy: Free

 

How do I get a recorded copy of my lien from Contra Costa County's Recorders Office?

You can request a recorded copy of your lien either in person or online.

To request a copy in person, you can visit The County Clerk-Recorder’s Office during normal business hours at:

555 Escobar Street
Martinez, CA 94553


Recorder
8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday, including the noon hour.

Clerk/Copy Section
8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday, including the noon hour.

If you cannot come into the office in person, you may also send a representative or contact a title company for assistance.

If through the mail:

555 Escobar Street
Martinez, CA 94553

You may also order them directly online at:
http://www.criis.com/contracosta.html#

For further recording questions, you can call the County Clerk-Recorder’s Office at (925) 335-7900.

Do I have the right to file a mechanics lien in Contra Costa, California?

Determining whether you do or do not have a mechanics lien right can be tricky. Generally speaking, every state gives those who have furnished labor and/or materials to a construction project the right to file a mechanics lien if unpaid for the furnishing. The same is true in California. However, there are some state-specific limitations as to who is qualified to file a mechanics lien that is important when considering whether you have the right to file a mechanics lien in Contra Costa County, California.

Great and detailed information about this is available on our California Mechanics Lien Resources Page.

What is the fee to file a California Preliminary Notice in Contra Costa County?

The fee to file a California Preliminary Notice in Contra Costa County is $30.00 and $4.50 for each additional notice.