Guide to filing a mechanics lien in Bowie County

Where is the Bowie County Recorder's Office that files mechanics liens?

You can file your mechanics liens in person at the Bowie County Clerk’s office located at:

10 James Bowie Drive
New Boston, TX 75570

Phone: 903-628-6740
Fax: 903-628-6729

OFFICE HOURS MONDAY – FRIDAY 8:00A.M.- 5:00P.M

What is Bowie County's Recording Backlog?

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

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

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

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

Generally, filing a lien in Texas is one of the more difficult states. Texas has a variety of required documents being exchanged and very strict deadlines for a valid lien claim.

The Bowie County, Texas requirements for recording a mechanics lien are:

1. Verify you have the right to file a valid lien. This includes having sent a monthly notice for each month labor or materials were furnished on a project. A monthly notice must be sent the second and third month for every month work is performed. This can be confusing but basically this means if you furnished labor this month, your deadline to send a two month and third month notice are two and three months from now, respectively. It’s important to keep in mind that if you perform work on the same construction job in Texas for two consecutive months you will need to have sent a total of 4 notices to retain lien rights. So if work was performed in January, your deadline would be March and April for a 2 and 3 month notice. Keep in mind it’s a little more complex if the labor or materials furnished were for a Homestead project.

2. Draft your Texas affidavit of lien form (mechanics lien claim) for your specific role on the job. The forms are different for general contractors vs. subcontractors so make sure you use the correct form. Not doing so could invalidate your lien claim! Make sure all required fields are completed and call the county recorder if you have questions about specific required fields. Again, submitting a mechanics lien claim in Texas not completed correctly could lead to an invalid claim returned to you, potentially leading to a missed lien deadline. Be sure to include other relevant attachments as well.

3. File your lien claim with the County Recorder’s office where work was performed.

4. Send a copy of your lien claim to the Property Owner and General Contractor (if you were a second-tier contractor or supplier). This is important as sending a copy of the lien may expedite payment as the Property Owner or General Contractor may not learn a lien was filed on the property if not contacted.

To learn more about filing your lien claim and other requirements, learn more from our How to File a Texas Mechanics Lien Step by Step Guide.

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

Leave blank: 2 inch margin at the top of the first page, a 1 inch margin at the bottom of each page and a 3 inch margin at the last page. If this is not possible an additional recording fee of $4.00 will be charged.

How can I make payment to the Bowie County Recorder?

The Bowie County Clerk accepts cash, checks, Mastercard, Visa & Discover Cards. Note that the County Clerk accepts debit/credit cards payments until 4:30 p.m. only.

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

The Bowie County Clerk’s recording fee is $26.00 for the first page and $4.00 for each additional page.

Additional Recording Fees

Penalty: $4.00 will be charged if margin requirements are not met (Leave blank: 2 inch margin at the top of the first page, a 1 inch margin at the bottom of each page and 3 inch margin at the last page)

Lien Fees

State Tax Liens & Releases: $16.00
Federal Tax Liens & Releases: $31.00

Copy Fees

Recorded Copy: $1.00 per page
Certification (Clerk’s Certificate and Seal on Last Page): $5.00 per document

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

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

10 James Bowie Drive
New Boston, TX 75570

Phone: 903-628-6740
Fax: 903-628-6729

OFFICE HOURS
MONDAY – FRIDAY 8:00A.M.- 5:00P.M

You can search Bowie County Official Public Records online at

https://bowiecountytx-web.tylerhost.net/web/search/DOCSEARCH149S1/

Note that real property searches require the buyer or seller’s name, approximate year and type of document recorded.

Access to a copy of a lien may require paying a fee.

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

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

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