Tennessee lien waiver requirements

Tennessee does not prescribe a statutory lien waiver form — a waiver must be in writing and is given after work is furnished, but the content isn’t regulated. Tennessee bars advance "no-lien" clauses: trying to waive lien rights before furnishing labor or materials is prohibited and can even jeopardize a contractor’s license (T.C.A. §66-11-124).

This guide covers what a Tennessee waiver should contain, the no-lien-clause bar, and notarization. It is general information, not legal advice — confirm specifics with a Tennessee construction attorney.

Tennessee at a glance

Mandatory statutory form

No — Tennessee does not regulate waiver content

Governing lien law

Tennessee Code Title 66, Chapter 11

Advance waivers

Barred — "no-lien" clauses before furnishing are prohibited (§66-11-124)

Lien filing deadline

Generally record a sworn lien within 90 days of last furnishing — confirm

Notarization

Not required for a waiver (the lien itself must be notarized)

How ClearLien handles Tennessee 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 Tennessee’s statutory forms are on the roadmap — start free and you’ll be ready the moment Tennessee support goes live.

Tennessee lien waiver FAQs

Does Tennessee require a specific lien waiver form?

No. Tennessee does not regulate waiver content, so provided the waiver is in writing and given after work is furnished, it can be drafted to fit the situation. It should identify the amount, property, and waiver type.

Are advance "no-lien" clauses valid in Tennessee?

No. Tennessee prohibits clauses that waive lien rights before labor or materials are furnished, and under T.C.A. §66-11-124(b) attempting it can put a contractor’s license at risk.

Do Tennessee lien waivers need to be notarized?

No — a waiver does not require notarization. The underlying sworn statement of lien must be notarized, which is a separate document.

Are electronic signatures valid in Tennessee?

Generally yes, under Tennessee’s adoption of UETA 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 Tennessee?

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 Tennessee is on the roadmap; start free and you’ll be ready when Tennessee support goes live.