Free Blank California Construction Lien Waiver and Release (2026)
Download an empty Construction Lien Waiver and Release template for California: the same statute-aware layout our generator uses, with blank lines to fill in by hand. No account, no email, no watermark.
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California rules that this document follows
| Statutory waiver form | Required — Cal. Civ. Code §§ 8132, 8134, 8136, 8138Source: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 8132, 8134, 8136, 8138 |
|---|---|
| Notarization | Not required by statute; notarizing is optionalSource: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 8132, 8134, 8136, 8138 |
| Advance waiver | Void — An owner, direct contractor or subcontractor may not, by contract or otherwise, waive, affect or impair another claimant's rights; any contract term that purports to do so is void and unenforceable unless and until the claimant executes and delivers a statutory waiver and release.Source: Cal. Civ. Code § 8122 |
| Governing lien statute | Cal. Civ. Code §§ 8000–8848 (works of improvement)Source: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 8000–8848 (works of improvement) |
| Evidence of payment | A conditional release does not release the owner, construction lender or payment-bond surety unless there is evidence of payment: the claimant's endorsement on a check paid by the financial institution, or the claimant's written acknowledgment of payment.Source: Cal. Civ. Code § 8124 |
| Retention | The statutory progress-payment forms exclude retentions, unpaid extras and prior unpaid conditional waivers; the final-payment forms except only disputed claims for extras.Source: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 8132, 8134, 8136, 8138 |
| Required warning text | The 'Notice to Claimant' on an unconditional waiver must be in at least as large a type as the largest type otherwise used in the form.Source: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 8134, 8138 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the blank template free?
Yes. The blank Construction Lien Waiver and Release is free to download as PDF or Word — no account, no watermark. The paid version is the completed document our generator builds from your answers.
Is it valid in California?
The template follows the California rules listed on this page (reviewed September 2026). A blank form becomes a binding document only once it is completed correctly and signed by the parties. Check the state facts below and consider an attorney for unusual situations.
Should I fill it by hand or online?
Online is safer: the generator applies California limits and notice periods, validates your entries and produces a clean PDF and Word file. Filling by hand works for simple cases — write clearly, initial every page and keep a signed copy for each party.
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