Minnesota's notices are printed in the statute's own words, in 10-point bold type, and the last of them is a copy of the lien statement itself, served inside the same 120 days the filing must meet.
The subcontractor's pre-lien notice (§ 514.011, subd. 2)
"Every person who contributes to the improvement of real property so as to be entitled to a lien pursuant to section 514.01, except a party under direct contract with the owner" gives it, "as a necessary prerequisite to the validity of any claim or lien", to the owner or the owner's authorized agent, personally or by certified mail, "not later than 45 days after the lien claimant has first furnished labor, skill or materials" (subd. 2(a)). The text is fixed and printed in at least 10-point bold type.
Exemptions: a contractor managed or controlled by substantially the same persons as the owner (subd. 4a); a wholly residential improvement of more than four family units (subd. 4b); nonresidential, non-agricultural property over the 5,000-square-foot tests (subd. 4c). The section has no mailbox rule and no late-notice lookback; subd. 2(b) is a good-faith safe harbor.
The contractor's pre-lien notice (§ 514.011, subd. 1)
A contractor who "has contracted or will contract with any subcontractors or material suppliers" includes the notice in any written contract with the owner; "if no written contract for the improvement is entered into, the notice must be prepared separately and delivered personally or by certified mail to the owner or the owner's authorized agent within ten days after the work of improvement is agreed upon" (subd. 1). The two statutory paragraphs are printed in at least 10-point bold type. "A person who fails to provide the notice shall not have the lien and remedy provided by this chapter."
The lien statement and its copy (§ 514.08)
"The lien ceases at the end of 120 days after doing the last of the work, or furnishing the last item of skill, material, or machinery, unless within this period: (1) a statement of the claim is filed for record … and (2) a copy of the statement is served personally or by certified mail on the owner or the owner's authorized agent or the person who entered into the contract with the contractor" (§ 514.08, subd. 1). The statement itself must acknowledge that service requirement (subd. 2(8)) and state that the § 514.011, subd. 2 notice, if any, was given (subd. 2(9)).
Mail early
None of the three pinned provisions says whether a mailed notice counts on mailing or on receipt. Treat the day count as a receipt deadline and mail several days ahead of it.