Guide to filing a mechanics lien in Cameron County

If you’re facing slow payment in Cameron County, you’ve come to the right place. Filing a mechanics lien with the Cameron County Clerk is a great way to speed up payment and get the money you’re owed in your pocket. However, no matter where you are, time is of the essence when filing a mechanics lien. One of the major time-costing issues Texas contractors run into is Texas lien law itself.

First of all, the Texas preliminary notice system is a tangled mess. Basically, if you don’t have a direct contract with the owner in Texas, you have to send recurring monthly notices. On top of that, there are multiple different types of notices, and each one must be sent at the right time. Failure to do this could mean the loss of your lien rights.

Secondly, deadlines for mechanics liens and notices in Texas cause issues too. Language like “the 15th day of the fourth month after the last month that work or services were furnished” is enough to make your head spin, and it isn’t always that simple either. Find out more about this here.

To avoid those pitfalls, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with Texas lien law before you get started.

The next step is to get to know your county clerk. This page covers the Cameron County Clerk, compiling useful information like Cameron County’s recording and formatting requirements, recording and copy fees, and contact information. Additionally, you can refer to this page to find links to Cameron County’s public records where you can get a recorded copy of your lien or the property’s legal description.

Refer to our step-by-step guide to Filing A Texas Mechanics Lien if you’re looking for detailed information about the process itself.

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

You can file your mechanics liens in person at either of the Cameron County Clerk office locations listed below:

Main Office
Cameron County Admin. Bldg.
835 East Levee Street (3rd Floor)
Brownsville, Texas 78520
956-544-0817

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Joe G. Rivera & Aurora De la Garza Building
Annex

1390 W. Expressway 83
San Benito, Texas 78586
956-247-3510

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.

Harlingen
3302 W. Wilson Rd.
Harlingen, Texas 78552
956-364-7606

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri 8:00 A.M. to 4:30

La Feria County Annex
200 Industrial Way
La Feria, Texas 78559
956-887-6007

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
Closed from 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.

What is Cameron County's Recording Backlog?

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

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

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

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

For filing requirements and additional fees that may be charged, you can review the following statutes: Texas Property Code 11.003, 12.001(b), 12.011; Local Government Code 191.007

Texas Property Code 11.003, effective January 1, 1982; Requires that each grantee’s mailing address be in or attached to any document conveying real property executed after December 31, 1981. If address of each grantee is not included, the payment of a penalty filing fee equal to the greater of: (1) twice the statutory filing fee for the filing of such document with the County Clerk or (2) $25.00 will be required. This fee is in addition to regular filing fees. Property Code 12.001(b) & 12.011: Must have live signature (no stamp) and proper acknowledgement. LGC 191.007(c)(h): Provides double the filing fee for that page if there is not a clearly identifying heading, similar to the headings on most printed forms, must be placed at the top of the first page to identify the type or kind of legal paper. LGC 191.007(e)(h): Provides double the filing for that page if names are not legibly typed or printed
immediately under each signature. LGC 191.007(3): Printed in type no smaller than 8 point font. As per LGC 437.217Exemption from fees for deployed military personnel ‐ a letter issued by the commander of the service member’s unit for purpose of providing exemption under the cicumstance that they have been deployed to serve in a hostile fire zone.

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

The margin requirements for filing a lien in Cameron County are 2 inch margins at the top of the first page with .5 margins on all other sides. All other pages must have .5 inch margins on all sides. Your lien claim should be filed on Letter size 8.5 x 11 inch paper. Not following these margin and paper size requirements may invalidate your lien claim.

How can I make payment to the Cameron County Clerk?

The Cameron County Clerk’s Office has contracted with Official Payments Corp. to offer customers the option of paying filing fees online.

Official Payment Corp. will provide credit card transaction services on behalf of those wishing to pay filing fees using a credit card. Note that Official Payments Corp. will charge a convenience fee for each credit card transaction enacted.

To make payments, go to www.oficialpyments.com enter your Jurisdiction Code 6681

You will be asked to enter information such as:
– Case number: (you enter your name)
– your credit card information
– the amount of the payment

For questions, you can contact:

Records: Mrs. Elena Garza 956-544-0882

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

The Cameron County Clerk’s recording fee is $36.00 for the first page and $4.00 for each additional page.

Additional Recording Fees

Indexing Fee: $0.25 for each additional name to be indexed in excess of five (5)

Lien Fees

Federal Tax Lien/Release of Lien: $41.00
State Tax Lien/Release of Lien: $26.00
Hospital lien/Release of Lien: $36.00

Copy Fees

Plain: $1.00 per page
Certified: $5.00 plus $1.00 per page
Authenticated Copies: $10.00 plus $1.00 per page

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

You can obtain a recorded copy of your liens in person at either of the Cameron County Clerk office locations listed below:

Main Office
Cameron County Admin. Bldg.
835 East Levee Street (3rd Floor)
Brownsville, Texas 78520
956-544-0817

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Joe G. Rivera & Aurora De la Garza Building
Annex

1390 W. Expressway 83
San Benito, Texas 78586
956-247-3510

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.

Harlingen
3302 W. Wilson Rd.
Harlingen, Texas 78552
956-364-7606

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri 8:00 A.M. to 4:30

La Feria County Annex
200 Industrial Way
La Feria, Texas 78559
956-887-6007

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
Closed from 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.

Copy fee are as follows:

Plain: $1.00 per page
Certified: $5.00 plus $1.00 per page
Authenticated Copies: $10.00 plus $1.00 per page

You can also search Cameron County records online at: https://portal.co.cameron.tx.us/portalprod

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

Determining if you have the right to file a lien in Cameron County, Texas can be complicated. Texas has one of the most complex lien laws in the U.S. and filing a lien in Cameron 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 Cameron County, Texas?

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