Guide to filing a mechanics lien in Bell County

Unfortunately, slow payment is a common issue in the construction industry. If you’re facing slow payment in Bell County, you should consider filing a mechanics lien with the Bell County Clerk. Since Bell County is one of the biggest counties in Texas, Texas’s lien laws can be confusing, and time is of the essence when filing a mechanics lien, you need to make sure you get everything right the first time to avoid unwanted delays. After all, the quicker you can record your lien the quicker you get paid.

This page helps you avoid delays by providing you with information about the Bell County Clerk and Texas lien law. Here are two major pain points:

The Texas preiminary notice scheme is a mess. In short, you have to send recurring monthly notices if you don’t have a direct contract with the property owner in order to preserve your lien rights. On top of that, there are multiple different types of notices, and each one must be sent at the right time.

Along with the monthly notice scheme, you also have to consider Texas’s less-than-straighforward deadlines. Generally, you have to file on 15th day of the fourth month after the last month that work or services were furnished. Find out more about this here.

Even through Texas lien law is more complicated than we’d like it to be, recording your lien in Bell County is relatively simple provided you include all the necessary information and format it correctly. Below, you can find helpful useful information that helps you navigate the Bell County Clerk, the office at which you’ll record your mechanics lien.

If you’re looking for a detailed breakdown of the mechanics lien process, refer to our step-by-step guide to Filing A Texas Mechanics Lien.

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

You can file your mechanics liens in person or by mail.

In Person

You can submit your documents in person the Bell County Clerk’s office located at:

1201 Huey Road
Belton, Texas 76513

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday

Contact:

Phone: (254) 933-5160
Fax: (254) 933-5176

By Mail

You can also mail your documents and payment to:

Bell County Clerk’s Office
Attn: Recording Dept.
P.O. Box 480
Belton, TX 76513

Note that real property records to be recorded in official public records must be an original, notarized document or a certified copy of the original document.

In accordance with Section 118.011 of the Local Government Code of the State of Texas and Attorney General’s Opinion No. 938, the Bell County Clerk cannot hold or record any instrument unless it is accompanied by the proper recording fee.

What is Bell County's Recording Backlog?

The Bell County Clerk does not publicly disclose information on recording backlog.

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

If the project is located in Bell county, then yes, you will want to record your lien with the Bell County, Texas Clerk’s office.

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

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

Real property records to be recorded in official public records must be an original, notarized document or a certified copy of the original document.

In accordance with Section 118.011 of the Local Government Code of the State of Texas and Attorney General’s Opinion No. 938, this office cannot hold or record any instrument unless it is accompanied by the proper recording fee.

Local Government Code Chapter 191 GENERAL RECORDS PROVISIONS AFFECTING COUNTIES

Local Government Code Chapter 192 INSTRUMENTS TO BE RECORDED BY COUNTIES

Local Government Code Chapter 193 RECORDING AND INDEXING BY COUNTIES

Property Code Chapter 11 PROVISIONS GENERALLY APPLICABLE TO PUBLIC RECORDS

Property Code Chapter 12 RECORDING OF INSTRUMENTS

Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 121. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND PROOFS OF WRITTEN INSTRUMENTS

And any other provisions or laws that may apply to the creating, filing or recording of records in the official public records.

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

You must add a 2″ margin for recording instrument numbers.

How can I make payment to the Bell County Clerk?

Out-of-state checks are not accepted, however, cash, credit, and, debit transactions are accepted.

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

The Bell County Clerk’s recording fee is $11.00 and $4.00 for each additional page.

Indexing fee: $0.25 for each addition grantor/grantee indexed over the first 5 names

Lien Fees

Federal Liens/Releases: $16.00

Copy Fees

Plain: $1.00 per page
Certified Copies: $1.00 plus $1.00 per page

Note that daily business transactions will not be accepted after 4:45 p.m. and at 4:15 p.m. on the last business day of the month.

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

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

1201 Huey Road
Belton, Texas 76513

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday

Contact:
Phone: (254) 933-5160
Fax: (254) 933-5176

Copy Fees

Plain: $1.00 per page
Certified Copies: $1.00 plus $1.00 per page

You can also search Bell County Real Property Official Records online at:
https://www.texaslandrecords.com/txlr/TxlrApp/index.jsp/

Commercial users will be charged a flat monthly fee per user to view any document available on-line.

Pay-Per Access Member/Free Search will be charged for the entire document at the rate of $1 per page.

You can contact or visit the County Clerk’s office for a certified copy of a document. Copies printed online cannot be certified by the County Clerk.

Do I have the right to file a mechanics lien in Bell, Texas?

Determining if you have the right to file a lien in Bell County, Texas can be complicated. Texas has one of the most complex lien laws in the U.S. and filing a lien in Bell is no different. Generally, construction contractors who

1) furnish labor or materials
2) send all required documents before filing a lien, such as monthly notices
3) if a homestead, have a proper written contract
4) and meet any state deadlines and fees for your lien claim.

You can learn more about Mechanics Liens in Texas and more specific requirements for filing a lien overall in our step by step guide.

Do I have to send a monthly notice to file a lien in Bell County, Texas?

Yes, you will need to have sent a Texas Preliminary Notice (monthly notices) to be able to file a lien in Bell County, TX. Not sending the correct Texas Monthly Notice may result in an invalid lien claim at the time of filing with the Bell County Clerk / Assessor.