Shelby County Preliminary Notice to Original Contractor Form
Last validated September 2, 2026 by our Forms Development TeamFormatted for recording in Shelby County, for property anywhere in the county: rural and unincorporated areas as well as Center, Joaquin, Shelbyville, Tenaha, Timpson.
- 3 documents included
- Immediate PDF download
- Formatting guarantee

Shelby 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.

Shelby County Preliminary Notice to Original Contractor Guide
Line by line guide explaining every blank on the form.

Shelby County Completed Example of the Notice to Original Contractor Document
Example of a properly completed form for reference.
All 3 documents above included • One-time purchase • No recurring fees
Immediate Download • Secure Checkout
Additional Texas and Shelby County documents included at no extra charge:
Where to Record Your Documents
Shelby County Clerk
Center, Texas 75935
Hours: 8:00 to 4:30 Monday through Friday
Phone: (936) 598-6361
Recording Tips for Shelby County:
- Bring your driver's license or state-issued photo ID
- Ensure all signatures are in blue or black ink
- White-out or correction fluid may cause rejection
- Ask about their eRecording option for future transactions
- Avoid the last business day of the month when possible
Cities and Jurisdictions in Shelby County
Properties in any of these areas use Shelby County forms:
- Center
- Joaquin
- Shelbyville
- Tenaha
- Timpson
Hours, fees, requirements, and more for Shelby County
How do I get my forms?
Forms are available for immediate download after payment. The Shelby 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 Shelby County?
Yes. Our form blanks are guaranteed to meet or exceed the applicable formatting requirements used for recording in Shelby 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 Shelby 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 Shelby County?
Recording fees in Shelby County vary. Contact the recorder's office at (936) 598-6361 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 Shelby 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 Shelby County.
Our Promise
The documents you receive here are guaranteed to meet or exceed the applicable Shelby 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.
Save Time and Money
Get your Shelby County Preliminary Notice to Original Contractor form done right the first time with Deeds.com Uniform Conveyancing Blanks. At Deeds.com, we understand that your time and money are valuable resources, and we don't want you to face a penalty fee or rejection imposed by a county recorder for submitting nonstandard documents. We constantly review and update our forms to meet rapidly changing state and county recording requirements for roughly 3,500 counties and local jurisdictions.
4.8 out of 5 - ( 4,786 Reviews )
Kent B. 2 out of 5 stars
Disappointed on most recent order. Format did not permit changing the "boilerplate" language to change "grantor" to "grantors". In so restricting, could not use pre-printed form to make a joint party conveyance.
Sorry to hear of your disappointment. We've canceled your order and payment for the warranty deed document. Have a wonderful day.
stephanie h. 5 out of 5 stars
Very satisfied. In the middle of COVID19 I was able to complete important paperwork even though I wasn't completely sure what I was doing on my own. Quick and easy. Thank you. It means a lot to me.
Thank you for your feedback. We really appreciate it. Have a great day!
John C. 5 out of 5 stars
Great site and information. Very useful.
Thanks John, we appreciate your kind words.
Tonni L. 5 out of 5 stars
Quick and easy with great instructions and accurate documents. I plan to make this site a part of our financial planning. Highly recommend. Saved big by this DIY process. TL
Thank you for your feedback. We really appreciate it. Have a great day!
tim r. 5 out of 5 stars
easy sight and extra forms that I can use any time
We appreciate your business and value your feedback. Thank you. Have a wonderful day!
Victoria L. 5 out of 5 stars
This is a fantastic website and financial savings to many. Being able to download and complete the document I needed vs having my attorney complete saved me $800. I would highly recommend this website.
Thank you for the kind words Victoria. Have a great day!
Karl L. 5 out of 5 stars
Excellent Service Terrific Follow Up and Follow Throught
Your appreciative words mean the world to us. Thank you.
Elizabeth H. 5 out of 5 stars
You had just what I was looking for. It was explained well and easy to find. Will recommend you.
We appreciate your business and value your feedback. Thank you. Have a wonderful day!
Gerlinde H. 5 out of 5 stars
This was fantastic. I downloaded the document, filled it out, printed it, had it notarized and drove to the recorders office and had it recorded within less than 15 minutes. Instructions are precise and easy to understand. You saved me hundreds of dollars a lawyer would have charged for the same work.
We appreciate your business and value your feedback. Thank you. Have a wonderful day!
Nicole P. 5 out of 5 stars
The forms are great. I kinda expected the guide to be bigger, maybe have some more information. Overall I'm satisfied thus far.
Thank you!
Marilyn S. 5 out of 5 stars
I was fine. But I don't like surveys.
Thank you!
Christine M. 5 out of 5 stars
Forms were top notch, easy to complete, printed beautifully, recorded with no revisions. Highly recommend for anyone preparing their own deeds.
Thank you for the kind words Christine. Have an amazing day!
Maria G. 5 out of 5 stars
Very easy and fast. Couldnt ask for anything better.
We appreciate your business and value your feedback. Thank you. Have a wonderful day!
Miranda C. 3 out of 5 stars
very expensive
Thank you for your continued trust and repeated purchases with us over the past year. We deeply value our loyal customers and understand the importance of providing value for your investment. Our pricing reflects the meticulous care, research, and expertise we put into each of our legal forms. However, we always strive to improve and genuinely value your feedback.
Angela L. 5 out of 5 stars
AWESOME!
Thank you!