Dallas County Preliminary Notice to Original Contractor Form

Last validated September 17, 2026 by our Forms Development Team

Formatted for recording in Dallas County, for property anywhere in the county: rural and unincorporated areas as well as Addison, Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Coppell, Dallas, Desoto, Duncanville, Garland and 11 more.

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Dallas County Preliminary Notice to Original Contractor Form

Dallas County Preliminary Notice to Original Contractor Form

Fill in the blank Preliminary Notice to Original Contractor form formatted to comply with all Texas recording and content requirements.

Document last validated 7/20/2026
Dallas County Preliminary Notice to Original Contractor Guide

Dallas County Preliminary Notice to Original Contractor Guide

Line by line guide explaining every blank on the form.

Document last validated 9/17/2026
Dallas County Completed Example of the Notice to Original Contractor Document

Dallas County Completed Example of the Notice to Original Contractor Document

Example of a properly completed form for reference.

Document last validated 9/2/2026

All 3 documents above included • One-time purchase • No recurring fees

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Important: Your property must be located in Dallas County to use these forms. Documents should be recorded at the office below.

Where to Record Your Documents

Dallas County Clerk

Address:
Renaissance Tower - 1201 Elm St, 22nd floor, Ste 2200G
Dallas, Texas 75270

Hours: 8:00am to 4:30pm M-F

Phone: 214-653-7099 press 7

Recording Tips for Dallas County:
  • Bring your driver's license or state-issued photo ID
  • Ensure all signatures are in blue or black ink
  • Ask if they accept credit cards - many offices are cash/check only
  • Check that your notary's commission hasn't expired
  • Documents must be on 8.5 x 11 inch white paper

Cities and Jurisdictions in Dallas County

Properties in any of these areas use Dallas County forms:

  • Addison
  • Carrollton
  • Cedar Hill
  • Coppell
  • Dallas
  • Desoto
  • Duncanville
  • Garland
  • Grand Prairie
  • Hutchins
  • Irving
  • Lancaster
  • Mesquite
  • Richardson
  • Rowlett
  • Sachse
  • Seagoville
  • Sunnyvale
  • Wilmer

View Complete Recorder Office Guide

Hours, fees, requirements, and more for Dallas County

How do I get my forms?

Forms are available for immediate download after payment. The Dallas County forms will be in your account ready to download to your computer. An account is created for you during checkout if you don't have one. Forms are NOT emailed.

Are these forms guaranteed to be recordable in Dallas County?

Yes. Our form blanks are guaranteed to meet or exceed the applicable formatting requirements used for recording in Dallas County, including margin requirements, font requirements, and other layout standards. This guarantee applies to formatting, not to the legal sufficiency of information entered by the user or the suitability of a form for a particular transaction.

Can I reuse these forms?

Yes. You can reuse the forms for your personal use. For example, if you have multiple properties in Dallas County you only need to order once.

What do I need to use these forms?

The forms are PDFs that you fill out on your computer. The free Adobe Acrobat Reader is recommended, and most PDF apps also work. You do NOT enter your property information online - you download the blank forms and complete them privately on your own computer.

Are there any recurring fees?

No. This is a one-time purchase. Nothing to cancel, no memberships, no recurring fees.

How much does it cost to record in Dallas County?

Recording fees in Dallas County vary. Contact the recorder's office at 214-653-7099 press 7 for current fees.

Questions answered? Let's get started!

Texas Second Month Notice

According to Texas lien law, all claimants other than the original contractor must provide preliminary notice to establish a claim for a valid mechanic's lien. TEX. PROP. CODE 53.056. Use the preliminary notice form under 53.056(b) when lien claim arises from a debt incurred by a subcontractor.

A mechanic's lien is an encumbrance on an owner's title, used to guarantee payment to builders, contractors, and construction businesses which build or repair structures, by using the property where the work was completed as a form of collateral. Suppliers of materials and subcontractors may also claim a mechanic's lien. The lien ensures that the workmen are paid before anyone else if the property subject to the lien is eventually foreclosed upon.

The law states that before filing and recording a mechanic's lien, the claimant must give written notice of the unpaid balance to the original contractor. Texas requires prelien notice to be served on the owner and other interested parties. Prelien notices serve two purposes: to protect the interests of subcontractors and suppliers, and to give property owners a defense against having to pay twice for parts of the same project.

Deliver the notice to the original contractor no later than the 15th day of the second month following each month in which all or part of the claimant's labor was performed or material delivered. Id. This is also known as a "Second Month Notice." It identifies the parties, dates, materials/services, and amount due. For reference, include an invoice or statement to clarify billing details.

Send it by registered or certified mail, addressed to the original contractor at his or her last known business or residence address. TEX. PROP. CODE 53.056(e).

Remember that each case is unique and the mechanic's lien law in Texas can be complicated and unforgiving of mistakes. Therefore, contact an attorney for complex situations or with specific questions about the preliminary notice to the original contractor or about any other issues related to liens.

Important: Your property must be located in Dallas County to use these forms. Documents should be recorded at the county recording office listed above.

This Preliminary Notice to Original Contractor meets all recording requirements specific to Dallas County.

Our Promise

The documents you receive here are guaranteed to meet or exceed the applicable Dallas County recording format requirements. If there is a rejection caused by our formatting, we will correct the issue or refund your payment. This guarantee applies to document formatting only and does not extend to information entered by the user, the selection of the form, or the legal effect of the completed document.

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