California's lien waiver law
California sets four forms. A waiver given in exchange for a payment is null, void and unenforceable unless it is in substantially the statutory form. The forms below are copied word for word from California Civil Code sections 8132 to 8138, read on 2026-10-09. Blank lines in the statute are shown as underscores.
Which form to use
| Form | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Conditional waiver and release on progress payment (Civil Code 8132) | Asking for a progress payment that has not cleared yet |
| Unconditional waiver and release on progress payment (Civil Code 8134) | A progress payment that is already in your account |
| Conditional waiver and release on final payment (Civil Code 8136) | Asking for the final payment, not yet cleared |
| Unconditional waiver and release on final payment (Civil Code 8138) | The final payment is already in your account |
Pick the form in the generator above, type your details after each label, and print it. Keep a copy of every waiver you sign.
Conditional waiver and release on progress payment
Conditional waiver and release on progress paymentCONDITIONAL WAIVER AND RELEASE ON PROGRESS PAYMENT
NOTICE: THIS DOCUMENT WAIVES THE CLAIMANT’S LIEN, STOP PAYMENT NOTICE, AND PAYMENT BOND RIGHTS EFFECTIVE ON RECEIPT OF PAYMENT. A PERSON SHOULD NOT RELY ON THIS DOCUMENT UNLESS SATISFIED THAT THE CLAIMANT HAS RECEIVED PAYMENT.
Identifying Information
Name of Claimant:
Name of Customer:
Job Location:
Owner:
Through Date:
Conditional Waiver and Release
This document waives and releases lien, stop payment notice, and payment bond rights the claimant has for labor and service provided, and equipment and material delivered, to the customer on this job through the Through Date of this document. Rights based upon labor or service provided, or equipment or material delivered, pursuant to a written change order that has been fully executed by the parties prior to the date that this document is signed by the claimant, are waived and released by this document, unless listed as an Exception below. This document is effective only on the claimant’s receipt of payment from the financial institution on which the following check is drawn:
Maker of Check:
Amount of Check: $
Check Payable to:
Exceptions
This document does not affect any of the following:
(1) Retentions.
(2) Extras for which the claimant has not received payment.
(3) The following progress payments for which the claimant has previously given a conditional waiver and release but has not received payment:
Date(s) of waiver and release:
Amount(s) of unpaid progress payment(s): $
(4) Contract rights, including (A) a right based on rescission, abandonment, or breach of contract, and (B) the right to recover compensation for work not compensated by the payment.
Signature
Claimant’s Signature:
Claimant’s Title:
Date of Signature:
Unconditional waiver and release on progress payment
Unconditional waiver and release on progress paymentUNCONDITIONAL WAIVER AND RELEASE ON PROGRESS PAYMENT
NOTICE TO CLAIMANT: THIS DOCUMENT WAIVES AND RELEASES LIEN, STOP PAYMENT NOTICE, AND PAYMENT BOND RIGHTS UNCONDITIONALLY AND STATES THAT YOU HAVE BEEN PAID FOR GIVING UP THOSE RIGHTS. THIS DOCUMENT IS ENFORCEABLE AGAINST YOU IF YOU SIGN IT, EVEN IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN PAID. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN PAID, USE A CONDITIONAL WAIVER AND RELEASE FORM.
Identifying Information
Name of Claimant:
Name of Customer:
Job Location:
Owner:
Through Date:
Unconditional Waiver and Release
This document waives and releases lien, stop payment notice, and payment bond rights the claimant has for labor and service provided, and equipment and material delivered, to the customer on this job through the Through Date of this document. Rights based upon labor or service provided, or equipment or material delivered, pursuant to a written change order that has been fully executed by the parties prior to the date that this document is signed by the claimant, are waived and released by this document, unless listed as an Exception below. The claimant has received the following progress payment: $
Exceptions
This document does not affect any of the following:
(1) Retentions.
(2) Extras for which the claimant has not received payment.
(3) Contract rights, including (A) a right based on rescission, abandonment, or breach of contract, and (B) the right to recover compensation for work not compensated by the payment.
Signature
Claimant’s Signature:
Claimant’s Title:
Date of Signature:
Conditional waiver and release on final payment
Conditional waiver and release on final paymentCONDITIONAL WAIVER AND RELEASE ON FINAL PAYMENT
NOTICE: THIS DOCUMENT WAIVES THE CLAIMANT’S LIEN, STOP PAYMENT NOTICE, AND PAYMENT BOND RIGHTS EFFECTIVE ON RECEIPT OF PAYMENT. A PERSON SHOULD NOT RELY ON THIS DOCUMENT UNLESS SATISFIED THAT THE CLAIMANT HAS RECEIVED PAYMENT.
Identifying Information
Name of Claimant:
Name of Customer:
Job Location:
Owner:
Conditional Waiver and Release
This document waives and releases lien, stop payment notice, and payment bond rights the claimant has for labor and service provided, and equipment and material delivered, to the customer on this job. Rights based upon labor or service provided, or equipment or material delivered, pursuant to a written change order that has been fully executed by the parties prior to the date that this document is signed by the claimant, are waived and released by this document, unless listed as an Exception below. This document is effective only on the claimant’s receipt of payment from the financial institution on which the following check is drawn:
Maker of Check:
Amount of Check: $
Check Payable to:
Exceptions
This document does not affect any of the following:
Disputed claims for extras in the amount of: $
Signature
Claimant’s Signature:
Claimant’s Title:
Date of Signature:
Unconditional waiver and release on final payment
Unconditional waiver and release on final paymentUNCONDITIONAL WAIVER AND RELEASE ON FINAL PAYMENT
NOTICE TO CLAIMANT: THIS DOCUMENT WAIVES AND RELEASES LIEN, STOP PAYMENT NOTICE, AND PAYMENT BOND RIGHTS UNCONDITIONALLY AND STATES THAT YOU HAVE BEEN PAID FOR GIVING UP THOSE RIGHTS. THIS DOCUMENT IS ENFORCEABLE AGAINST YOU IF YOU SIGN IT, EVEN IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN PAID. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN PAID, USE A CONDITIONAL WAIVER AND RELEASE FORM.
Identifying Information
Name of Claimant:
Name of Customer:
Job Location:
Owner:
Unconditional Waiver and Release
This document waives and releases lien, stop payment notice, and payment bond rights the claimant has for all labor and service provided, and equipment and material delivered, to the customer on this job. Rights based upon labor or service provided, or equipment or material delivered, pursuant to a written change order that has been fully executed by the parties prior to the date that this document is signed by the claimant, are waived and released by this document, unless listed as an Exception below. The claimant has been paid in full.
Exceptions
This document does not affect the following:
Disputed claims for extras in the amount of: $
Signature
Claimant’s Signature:
Claimant’s Title:
Date of Signature:
California lien filing deadline
Direct contractor: after finishing, and before the earlier of 90 days after completion or 60 days after the owner records a notice of completion or cessation. Everyone else: the earlier of 90 days after completion or 30 days after that notice. (California Civil Code 8412 and 8414). A waiver does not stop this clock. See deadlines in every state.
Before you sign
This page is general information, not legal advice. The forms are the words of the statute as published by the state; laws change, so check the current code, and ask a construction attorney in California about anything unusual.
Sources: California Civil Code sections 8132 to 8138, checked 2026-10-09; California Civil Code 8412 and 8414, checked 2026-10-09.