Ohio lien waiver requirements

Ohio does not prescribe a statutory lien waiver form and regulates neither the language nor the timing of waivers — a waiver is a contract. Getting the content right (parties, project, amount, conditional vs. unconditional) is what matters.

This guide covers what an Ohio waiver should contain, notarization, and the lien deadlines. It is general information, not legal advice — confirm specifics with an Ohio construction attorney.

Ohio at a glance

Mandatory statutory form

No — Ohio does not prescribe or regulate a waiver form

Governing lien law

Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1311

Lien filing deadline

Generally 60 days (1–2 family residential) or 75 days (commercial) from last furnishing — confirm

Notarization

Not required for a waiver (the mechanic’s lien affidavit must be notarized)

Electronic signatures

Recognized under Ohio’s UETA (ORC Chapter 1306)

How ClearLien handles Ohio waivers

ClearLien automates the waiver loop for general contractors on QuickBooks Online: pay a subcontractor’s bill and the waiver is drafted from the payment, sent for no-account signing on any phone, and stored with a full audit trail — with retainage carved out. Minnesota’s form is live today and Ohio’s statutory forms are on the roadmap — start free and you’ll be ready the moment Ohio support goes live.

Ohio lien waiver FAQs

Does Ohio require a specific lien waiver form?

No. Ohio does not provide a statutory waiver form or mandate any language. A waiver should clearly identify the project, parties, amount, and whether it is conditional or unconditional.

Do Ohio lien waivers need to be notarized?

No — a waiver does not require notarization. The mechanic’s lien affidavit itself does have to be signed before a notary, which is a separate document.

What is the Ohio mechanic’s lien deadline?

Generally, the lien affidavit is filed within 60 days of last furnishing for a one- or two-family dwelling, or 75 days for commercial projects. Deadlines are strict — confirm the one that applies to you.

Are electronic signatures valid in Ohio?

Generally yes, under Ohio’s adoption of UETA (ORC Chapter 1306) and the federal ESIGN Act. ClearLien records a full audit trail and stores the signed PDF tamper-evident with a content hash.

Does ClearLien support Ohio?

ClearLien automates the lien-waiver loop for general contractors on QuickBooks Online — pay a bill and the waiver is drafted, sent for no-account signing, and stored with an audit trail. Minnesota is live today and Ohio is on the roadmap; start free and you’ll be ready when Ohio support goes live.