Found an item? Your responsibilities

What to do when you find someone else's property — your responsibilities and how to return it safely.

Found something in Washington DC? Handling it responsibly protects both you and the owner. Rules vary by location, but the principles are consistent.

Make a reasonable effort to find the owner. Check for ID, contact details, or anything that identifies who it belongs to.
Don't assume it's yours to keep. Keeping found property without trying to return it can have legal consequences. When in doubt, hand it in.
Hand valuables to the authorities. Report significant or high-value finds to the police non-emergency line for Washington DC; they'll log it and may issue a reference.
Store it safely. Keep the item secure and unchanged while you try to return it.
Post a found listing. Add a found-item listing for Washington DC with enough detail for the real owner to identify it — while holding back one verifying detail.

Helpful resources for Washington DC

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Washington DC

found J

Found two canines in Washington DC near Union Station

I found these two canines wandering near Union Station in Washington DC around 9:30 pm last night. They’re a friendly pair, one brown with white paws and a second black with a small white chest patch. Both wore collars but no visible IDs. I’ve kept them safe in a quiet hallway for now, giving them water and some scraps while I post this. They’re clearly well-socialized and calm, but I know someone must be frantic about them. If you recognize these dogs, please reply through the site so we can coordinate a reunion near Union Station.

near Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 9 days ago

found M

Found ring near Mi Vida at Southwest Waterfront

Found this ring at the Southwest Waterfront near the fountains by Mi Vida restaurant.

Washington DC 10 days ago

found P

Found pendants near Dupont Circle, DC

I’m Priya Shah. While walking through Dupont Circle on a sunny Sunday around 1:45 PM, I spotted a small velvet pouch on a bench near the Dupont Circle fountain. Inside were several pendants—one with an initial 'M' in cursive, another a tiny compass, and a leaf-shaped charm on a delicate chain. They looked recently worn, not like costume jewelry. I picked them up and kept them safe, hoping to reconnect them with whoever owns them. I hope whoever misplaced these finds them here so the owner can be reunited with their keepsakes.

near Dupont Circle fountain 23 days ago

found D

Found Bus Tickets in DC

I found these bus tickets today around 9:20 a.m. on the sidewalk outside Union Station’s main entrance, along 2nd Street NW. They’re a little crumpled and stained from someone’s coffee, with a route and a couple of scribbled notes that tell a small, hopeful story. I paused, considered handing them to lost-and-found, but figured someone else might be looking for them more than I might be. If these belong to you, please reach out through the site.

outside Union Station, near the Main Entrance about 2 months ago

found T

Brown oversized scrunchie found on street corner

Brown oversized scrunchie found on the street corner of P St and 18th St 7/21/26.

Washington DC about 2 months ago

found E

Found desk organizers near Union Station.

I was sipping coffee near the Union Station main hall around 3:15 pm last Friday when I found a set of desk organizers tucked behind a bench. They’re a mix of black metal and clear plastic, with a handful of sticky notes still clinging to one side. It looked like someone was rushing to their train and left them behind, and I could feel how much they might help someone keep a chaotic desk in order. I’m posting this here to help reunite them with their rightful owner.

Union Station main concourse, Washington, DC 3 months ago