Washington Unconditional Waiver and Release of Claim upon Final Payment
County Specific Legal Forms Validated as recently as June 24, 2026 by our Forms Development Team
About the Washington Unconditional Waiver and Release of Claim upon Final Payment
How to Use This Form
- Select your county from the list on the left
- Download the county-specific form
- Fill in the required information
- Have the document notarized if required
- Record with your county recorder's office
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Contractors who have already recorded a lien against real property may use an unconditional waiver and release of claim upon final payment to surrender their reserved lien rights in exchange for, or to encourage, payment on a balance due.
Washington law requires a lien release upon payment and acceptance of the amount due to the lien claimant and upon the demand of the owner or the person making payment. R.C.W. 60.04.071. If a claimant fails to provide a waiver or release when one is due, the owner can pursue legal action to compel deliverance of the release and if the court determines the delay was unjustified, the court can, in addition to ordering the deliverance of the release, award the costs of the action including reasonable attorneys' fees and any damages. Id.
Given in exchange for full or partial payments, mechanic's lien waivers can be useful at various points during the construction/improvement process. Waivers can also lead to confusion, however, and issuing the wrong kind of waiver (or issuing one too early) can cause dire consequences for the mechanic's lien claimant. Washington's statutes do not provide for any required forms of lien waivers, but contractors may issue their own lien releases, generally under R.C.W. 60.04.071.
There are four main types of lien waivers to choose from, depending on the circumstances of the job. These include: (1) Conditional Waiver and Release of Claim of Lien upon Progress Payment, (2) Conditional Waiver and Release of Claim of Lien upon Final Payment, (3) Unconditional Waiver and Release of Claim of Lien upon Progress Payment, and (4) Unconditional Waiver and Release of Claim of Lien upon Final Payment.
A conditional waiver becomes effective when the payment clears the bank. As such, contractors use this kind of waiver while waiting for payment, or if they need confirmation about the payment method (such as a check). Unconditional waivers take effect when delivered to the property owner. If a lien claimant issues an unconditional waiver and the owner fails to pay or the check bounces, the person receiving the waiver may be freed from all or part of the mechanic's lien obligation without the proper payment. In these situations, the only other remedy may be a costly lawsuit.
Regardless of the terms, waivers must at least identify the claimant, the owner or person responsible for payment, payment amount, the relevant dates, and include the claimant's signature.
Contact an attorney with questions about lien waivers or any other issue relating to liens in Washington.
How to Use This Form
- Select your county from the list above
- Download the county-specific form
- Fill in the required information
- Have the document notarized if required
- Record with your county recorder's office
What Others Like You Are Saying
"very informative and thank everyone involved,my deed needed to be changed and will adjusted."
"The process was straightforward, quick and reasonably priced. The agents provided updates every step…"
"Easy to process orders."
"Great speedy service with access to areas beyond my reach."
"Very easy to choose template and download. The price seems fair. Not sure the section on the deed fo…"
Common Uses for Unconditional Waiver and Release of Claim upon Final Payment
- Provide required pre-lien notice before filing a claim
- Protect subcontractor payment rights on a building project
- Notify a property owner of unpaid construction debts
- Establish priority of a construction lien on a property
- File a lien for unpaid construction or renovation work
- Document partial payment received on a construction project
- Provide notice of intent to file a lien for unpaid work
Compare other Washington deed forms and documents
Important: County-Specific Forms
Our unconditional waiver and release of claim upon final payment forms are specifically formatted for each county in Washington.
After selecting your county, you'll receive forms that meet all local recording requirements, ensuring your documents will be accepted without delays or rejection fees.