Essex County Recorder Mechanics Lien Filing

File your New York Mechanics Lien in Essex County without any hassle. Do it electronically in minutes.

Essex County
Recorder Contact

Main Address:

Essex County Clerk
7559 Court Street, P.O. Box 247
Elizabethtown, New York, 12932
Phone: (518) 873-3600
Fax: (518) 873-3548

Does Essex County Have Electronic Recording

Helpful Links

Form
New York Mechanics Lien Form

Step by Step Walkthrough
How to File a Lien in New York - Step by Step Guide

Guide to filing a mechanics lien in Essex County

If you’ve been left unpaid after a construction project in Essex County, you’ll need to file your mechanics lien with the Essex County Clerk. Before you get started, you should take a look at New York lien law and the Essex County Clerk’s own requirements. This page helps you orient yourself with state law and the County Clerk’s office.

Here are a few notable features of New York lien law:

Some parties cannot file a mechanics lien after a construction project. Most project participants have thr right to record a lien claim. However, unlicensed contractors who are doing work that requires a license, suppliers to suppliers, and parties that aren’t authorized to work in New York don’t have lien rights.
Lien claimants don’t have to submit a preliminary notice to retain their right to lien. Contractors in New York don’t have to send a preliminary notice to the property owner before filing a mechanics lien. There are a few exceptions to this rule, though.
The deadline to file a mechanics lien is shorter on single family residential projects. Generally, lien claimants have eight months to file a lien claim; but parties on a single family residential construction project only have four months to file a lien claim.

New York lien law offers broad protection for most parties on a construction project. To learn more about the rules and limitations that apply to you, take a look at our New York Mechanics Lien Guide and FAQ. You can also use our Lien Law Guide to find the lien documents you’ll need to successfully record your lien claim.

Recording your lien with the Essex County Clerk is a relatively straightforward process. The frequently asked questions below compile important information about the Essex County Clerk’s recording requirements, formatting requirements, recording fees, contact information, and much more.

For a deeper dive, our Step-by-Step Guide to Filing a Mechanics Lien in New York offers an in-depth guide to the entire mechanics lien process.

Where is the Essex County Clerk's Office that files mechanic liens?

You can file your mechanic liens in person at the Essex County Clerk’s Office located at:

7559 Court Street
Elizabethtown, NY 12932

Phone: (518) 873-3600
(518) 873-3601
Fax: (518) 873-3548
E-mail: jprovon@co.essex.ny.us

Days Open: Monday-Friday
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The County Clerk’s Office will record and file up to 5:00 p.m., stamping that day, but can only issue a computerized receipt up to 4:30 p.m. After that a handwritten receipt will be issued.

What is Essex County's Recording Backlog?

The Essex County Clerk’s Office does not publicly disclose information on recording backlog.

Should I file my mechanics lien in Essex County?

If your construction project is located in Essex County, then yes, you should file your lien here.

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

The Essex County Clerk’s real estate recording requirements are as follows:

I. Prepare the documents legibly according to statutory requirements of each state, or, in the absence of statutes, according to best practices, leaving sufficient blank space for the Clerk’s stamp.

II. Properly title, date, and execute the document including typed names and titles beneath all signatures. Make sure each name and signature is consistent throughout the document.

III. Properly witness and/or acknowledge all documents according to the laws of the state of recording, including a complete, legible notarial certificate.

IV. Include the complete legal description of the property with all initial recordings, and on subsequent recordings where required by statute.

V. Properly reference previously recorded documents when you submit related documents for recording. This may include document numbers, book and page numbers, and recording dates.

VI. Include the name and address of preparer and the return address for the document. Also include your telephone number because some jurisdictions will call if they notice a minor, correctible problem.

VII. Identify schedules and exhibits clearly, and number the pages so the jurisdiction can tell that they belong with the document.

VII. Include the correct fee and applicable taxes, and use a separate check for the taxes.

IX. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelop to ensure return of the document.

X. Check your work, especially for extra fees, to make sure your document is complete for recording in order to avoid rejection.

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

The margin and page size requirements in Essex County are as follows:

The top of the first page must have a three inch margin with a margin of .5 inches on the sides and bottom.
All subsequent pages must have a margin of .5 inches on all sides.
Pages should be 8.5 x 11.
Font size may be no smaller than 8 point.
Illegible documents will be returned.

How can I make payment to the Essex County Clerk's Office?

The Essex County Clerk’s Office accepts check payments.

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

The Essex County Clerk’s recording fees are as follows:

Recording Fees

Standard Recording Fee: $45.00 plus $5.00 per page
* Include Cover Sheet generated by County Clerk’s Office.
Additional Names: $0.50 per name
* The first two names on a document are included in the Recording Fee.
Cross Reference: $0.50 per cross reference

Lien Fees

Mechanics Lien
To file notice: $15.00
To file continuation, amendment or cancellation: No Fee
To discharge by deposit with clerk of the court: $3.00
To file affidavit of service: $5.00 per affidavit

Federal Tax Lien
To file: $40.00
To discharge: $40.00
Search for liens: $25.00

Copy Fees

Copy: $0.65 per page ($1.30 minimum)
Maximum Fee: $40.00 per record
Certified Copy: $1.25 per page ($5.00 minimum)
Exemplified Copy: $10.00

How do I get a recorded copy of my lien from the Essex County Clerk's Office?

You can obtain a recorded copy of your lien in person at the Essex County Clerk’s Office located at:

7559 Court Street
Elizabethtown, NY 12932

Phone: (518) 873-3600
(518) 873-3601
Fax: (518) 873-3548
E-mail: jprovon@co.essex.ny.us

Days Open: Monday-Friday
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Copy fees are as follows:

Copy: $0.65 per page ($1.30 minimum)
Maximum Fee: $40.00 per record
Certified Copy: $1.25 per page ($5.00 minimum)
Exemplified Copy: $10.00

You can also search for Essex County Clerk’s records online at: https://www.searchiqs.com/NYESS/Login.aspx

How can I get the property's legal description from the Essex County Clerk's Office or Assessor's Office?

You can get the property’s legal description from the Essex County Clerk’s Office in person.

You can search for Essex County Clerk’s records online at: https://www.searchiqs.com/NYESS/Login.aspx

You can also search for property legal descriptions online with the
Essex County Real Property Tax Service:
https://rpts-imo.co.essex.ny.us/IMO/index.aspx