44-9-8. Attachment of lien--Protection of bona fide purchaser, mortgagee, or encumbrancer--Notice of lien for improvements thereafter made. As against a bona fide purchaser, mortgagee, or encumbrancer without notice, however, no lien shall attach prior to the actual and visible beginning of the improvement on the ground, but a person having a contract for the furnishing of labor, skill, material, or machinery for such improvement, may file with the register of deeds of the county within which the premises are situated or of the county to which such county is attached for judicial purposes, or if claimed under subdivision 44-9-1(2), with the secretary of state, a brief statement of the nature of such contract, which statement shall be notice of his lien for the contract price or value of all contributions to such improvement thereafter made by him or at his instance.
Source: SL 1913, ch 263, § 4; SL 1917, ch 295, § 1; RC 1919, § 1646; SDC 1939, § 39.0707.