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 New Hampshire? 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 New Hampshire; 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 New Hampshire with enough detail for the real owner to identify it — while holding back one verifying detail.

Helpful resources for New Hampshire

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in New Hampshire

found J

Found: CDs in Market Square, Portsmouth

I was walking my dog along Market Square in Portsmouth, NH, around 4:15 PM Friday when I spotted a stack of CDs left on a bench by the harbor. They were in well-worn jewel cases with a mix of classic rock and indie titles. I tucked them in my bag and stood there a moment, thinking about how someone must be missing their tunes. I’ll leave them in the same spot for a little while longer and hope the rightful owner sees this listing and claims them.

Market Square, Portsmouth, NH 23 days ago

found P

Found US passport, navy blue cover.

I found a US passport this afternoon around 2:45 PM in the parking lot behind the CVS on Main Street in Concord, NH. It's navy blue with the gold Great Seal on the cover, a little worn around the edges, and there's a small coffee ring on the back. Inside, the pages look normal, nothing ripped or torn. If this is yours, email [email protected] with a quick description of the cover and that coffee ring, and we can set up a pickup in Concord.

New Hampshire about 1 month ago

found P

Grey tabby cat with white paws, found in Manchester, NH

I found a cat this afternoon around 3:15pm in the parking lot behind the Market Basket on Elm Street in Manchester, New Hampshire. It's a grey tabby, about medium size, with white paws and a tiny notch in its left ear. The cat has a red collar with a small bell, but no ID tag. It seemed a little nervous at first, but warmed up after I offered tuna and a quiet spot on the bench near the entrance. If this is your cat, email me at [email protected] with a description of its quirks or the last place you saw it, and I can bring it to you.

New Hampshire 2 months ago

found A

Black Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones with case

I found black Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless headphones this afternoon around 3:15pm in the parking lot behind the Mall of New Hampshire on South Willow Street in Manchester, NH. They’re in decent shape overall, with a small dent on the left earcup and a few tiny scuffs on the headband. The hard-shell case is matte black with a blue interior, and tucked inside is a blue microfiber cloth with the initials 'J.S.' written on it. The charging cable isn’t in the case. I’d really like to see these go back to their owner and I’m keeping them safe in the lost-and-found area at the mall until someone claims them.

New Hampshire 2 months ago

found P

Navy North Face parka found near Mall of NH

I found a navy blue North Face parka this afternoon around 2:15pm in the parking lot behind the Mall of New Hampshire on South Willow Street in Manchester. It’s a men’s medium, weatherproof shell with an orange zipper pull and a soft gray fleece hood lining. There’s a small coffee stain on the inner left pocket and a bright teal carabiner clipped to the zipper—easy to spot. If this sounds like yours, reply here and we can arrange pickup near the mall’s main entrance or at the customer service desk.

New Hampshire 3 months ago

found P

NH state employee ID badge with red lanyard

I found an NH state employee ID badge this afternoon around 3pm in the parking lot behind Catholic Medical Center on Hanover Street in Manchester, NH. The badge is laminated, mostly blue with the state seal, and attached to a bright red lanyard. It’s slightly scuffed along the bottom edge and there’s a small coffee stain on the plastic holder. The photo on the card is visible, and there’s a department label that’s partially legible, though I can’t make out the full name. If this belongs to you, I’m happy to return it; it looks important to someone who likely needs access to facilities and information. Please message me with distinguishing details to verify ownership.

New Hampshire 3 months ago