Guide to filing a mechanics lien in Schoharie County

If you’ve been left unpaid after a construction project in Schoharie County, one of the best options you have to speed up payment is to file a mechanics lien with the Schoharie County Clerk. Before you get started on your lien claim, it’s a good idea to do some research to learn about New York lien law and the Schoharie County Clerk’s requirements.

Here are some features of New York lien law that may apply to your situation:

  1. Most participants on a construction project have lien rights in New York. There are some parties who don’t have the right to file a lien claim, though. They include unlicensed contractors, suppliers to suppliers, and parties that aren’t authorized to work in New York.
  2. The preliminary notice requirements in New York are lax. In most cases, contractors don’t have to submit a preliminary notice to the property owner prior to filing a mechanics lien claim, although there are a few exceptions to this rule.
  3. Deadlines are shorter for contractors working on single family residential projects. Under normal circumstances, lien claimants have eight months to file their mechanics liens. On the other hand, lien claimants who are working on single family residences only have a window of four months.

Our New York Mechanics Lien Guide and FAQ dives into these rules in great detail, so we recommend you check it out before you file prepare your lien claim.

The next step is to record your lien with the Schoharie County Clerk. Use the frequently asked questions on the page to learn about the Schoharie County Clerk’s recording requirements, recording fees, page size and margin requirements, contact information, and much more.

If you’re looking for an explanation of the entire New York mechanics lien process, refer to our Step-by-Step Guide to Filing a Mechanics Lien in New York.

Where is the Schoharie County Clerk's Office that files mechanics liens?

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

County Office Building, 1st floor
284 Main Street
Schoharie, NY 12157

Phone: 518-295-8316
Fax: 518-295-8338

Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm
Wednesday – 8:30am – 7:00pm

Recording Deadline: Legal filing ends at 4:30pm each day. Wednesdays we file until 6:30 PM.

What is Schoharie County's Recording Backlog?

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

Should I file my mechanics lien in Schoharie County?

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

What are the Schoharie County Clerk's requirements for recording a mechanics lien?

The Schoharie County Clerk’s recording requirements are as follows:

  1. All instruments must be written in the English language.
  2. Documents must be notorized and all signatures must be legible.
  3. Documents must be printed in black ink, and pages should be 8.5 x 11 in size
  4. Mechanics liens should include your name and address, the hiring party’s name and address, the property owner’s name and address, and the name and address of your attorney (if applicable).
  5. You should include a “record and return to” address.
  6. Include a statement for the labor and materials you furnished for the project.
  7. Include the amount of the lien claim.
  8. Include the first and last dates of performance, meaning the first and last days work or materials were furnished for the construction project.

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

The formatting requirements for the Schoharie County Clerk are as follows:

  • Pages must be no smaller than 8.5 x 11.
  • The first page must have a 3 inch margin at the top and a 1 inch margin on all other sides.
  • All subsequent pages must include a 1 inch margin on all sides.
  • All documents must be printed in black ink, and the font size may be no larger than 9 point.

How can I make payment to the Schoharie County Clerk?

The Schoharie County Clerk accepts the following forms of payment:

  • Checks
  • Cash
  • Credit and debit payments

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

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

Recording Fees

Land Contracts, Deeds, Mortgages, Miscellaneous
Record and Index: $40.00
Per page: $5.00
Cover Sheet required: $5.00

Lien Fees

Mechanics Lien: $15.00
Affidavit of Service 35 days: $5.00
Satisfaction: No Fee
Assignment: No Fee
Cancel: No Fee

Copy Fees

To Certify Prepared Copy: $4.00
Copies-per page: $0.50

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

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

County Office Building, 1st floor
284 Main Street
Schoharie, NY 12157

Phone: 518-295-8316
Fax: 518-295-8338

Anyone can use the public computers in the County Clerk’s custody to search for records. These records can also be viewed from a home or office computer with internet access. The Record Room is open from 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and from 8:30 A.M to 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday. You may call (518) 295-8316 with your questions. The Record Room is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and most holidays.

Copy fees are as follows:

To Certify Prepared Copy: $4.00
Copies-per page: $0.50

You can also search for Schoharie County Clerk’s records online at:
https://www2.schohariecounty-ny.gov/CountyClerkSearch/