Guide to filing a mechanics lien in Ventura County

Before you file a lien with the Ventura County Recorder, you need to get to know California’s lien laws and the Ventura County Recorder’s requirements, fees, and rules as well. Fortunately, California grants strong lien rights to the contractors that qualify for them. Here are the parties that have full lien rights in California:

  • Direct contractors
  • Subcontractors
  • Suppliers
  • Equipment lessors
  • Laborers
  • Design professionals

Although this coverage looks broad, unlicensed contractors who are performing work that requires a a license don’t have lien rights. Additionally, if you didn’t submit the California Preliminary Notice you can’t file a mechanics lien either.

We’ve compiled useful information about the Ventura County Recorder below. It informs you of Ventura County’s recording and formatting requirements, recording and copy fees, contact information, and information regarding eFiling and recording by mail.

For a complete description of the lien filing process and California’s lien laws, check out our step-by-step guide to filing a California mechanics lien.

Where is the Ventura County Recorder's Office that files mechanic liens?

You can file your mechanic liens in person at the Ventura County Recorder’s office locations listed below:

Ventura Office Hours: Monday – Friday from 8am to 5pm
Government Center
Hall of Administration, Main Plaza
800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93009-1260
Phone: (805) 654-3665

East County Office Hours: Monday – Thursday from 8am to 5pm and alternate Fridays from 8am to 5pm
Civic Arts Plaza
2100 East Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Suite A, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
Phone: (805) 449-2157

 

What is Ventura County's Recording Backlog?

The Ventura County Recorder’s Office does not publicly disclose information on recording backlog.

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

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

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

All documents submitted for recording must meet certain basic requirements. The Ventura County Recorder’s general requirements are as follows:

* Every document presented for recording must indicate the title or title(s) on the first page directly below the space provided for recording (2.5″ at the top of the first page). Only those titles appearing there will be indexed by the Recorder.

* The name and address of the person to whom the document is to be returned must appear on each document. The name of the person requesting recording must also appear. When possible, use the upper left-hand portion of the first page for this information.

* Every document presented for recording must contain original signatures or be originally certified by a government agency.

Every document presented for recording must be acknowledged and the acknowledgment must be proper, unless exempt.
Every document presented for recording must be legible to reproduce a readable photographic record.
Documents authorized by law to be recorded shall contain:

1. All the name(s) of the record owner(s) – if it affects, transfers, or encumbers an interest in real property.

2. All the name(s) of the record owner(s) or the name(s) as they appeared in the document creating an interest, right, or encumbrance – if it releases or terminates an interest, right or encumbrance in real property.

3. No document shall be recorded or indexed unless it meets the requirements of this section, as well as any additional information required by law pertaining to the particular document.

 

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

All documents must comply with the 8.5″ x 11” standard page size.
A penalty of $3.00 will be charged per page that is not 8.5″ x 11”.

Every document presented for recording must indicate the title or title(s) on the first page directly below the space provided for recording (2.5″ at the top of the first page).

How can I make payment to the Ventura County Recorder?

The Ventura County Recorder’s Office accepts cash, check and debit and credit card payments.

Check or money order should be made payable to Ventura County Recorder.

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

The Ventura County Recorder’s basic recording fee is $14.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page.

Additional Recording Fees

Non-conforming Page Size: $3.00 per page

Indexing Fees: an additional $1.00 will be charged for each reference after the first.

Penalty Print: $1.00 will be charged for each page upon which penalty print appears. Penalty print is measured as either: more than nine lines per verti al inch or more than 22 characters and spaces per horizontal inch.

Release of Lien: $12.00

Copy Fees

Official Copy: $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page
Certification: $1.00

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

You can obtain a recorded copy of your lien in person, by mail or by phone.

In Person

You can come in person to the the Ventura County Recorder’s Office located at:

Government Center
Hall of Administration, Main Plaza
800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93009-1260

Ventura Office Hours: Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Write to the Ventura County Recorder’s Office.

MARK A. LUNN
County Clerk and Recorder
800 S. Victoria Ave.
Location # 1260
Ventura, CA 93009

Make sure to send a self-addressed stamped envelope with your request.

If you cannot come into the office, you may send a representative or contact a title company for assistance.

By Mail

To request copies of recorded documents by mail, you must include payment for the copy(s) and have the recording number or the book and page. If you do not have this number, come in person, send someone to the Ventura County Recorder’s Office, or contact a title company to do a search for you and then place the copy order.

By Phone

If you have additional questions regarding ordering copies of official records, you can call them at (805) 654-2295.

If you are ordering by phone, online, or credit card, some personal information may be required.

Payment

The Ventura County Recorder’s Office has many payment options, including: Cash, Check and Debit and Credit cards.

Do I have the right to file a mechanics lien in Ventura County, CA?

Determining whether you do or do not have a mechanics lien right can be tricky. Generally speaking, every state gives those who have furnished labor and/or materials to a construction project the right to file a mechanics lien if unpaid for the furnishing. The same is true in California. However, there are some state-specific limitations as to who is qualified to file a mechanics lien that is important when considering whether you have the right to file a mechanics lien in Ventura County, California.

Great and detailed information about this is available on our California Mechanics Lien Resources Page.

What is the fee to file a California Preliminary Notice in Ventura County?

The fee to file a California Preliminary Notice in Ventura County is $28.00.