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

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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 10 days ago

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Found GoPro HERO11 Black action camera

I found a GoPro HERO11 Black action camera this afternoon around 3:00 PM outside the Dupont Circle Metro entrance on Massachusetts Ave NW. It's in a gray protective case with a red GoPro sticker on the lid and a blue silicone sleeve around the body. The bottom corner has a small dent, and there's a yellow tape with the initials 'MK' stuck on the side. The touchscreen boots up and shows some vacation clips, so I figured someone might have dropped it during a stroll around the circle. I'm hoping to get it back to its owner; if it's yours, check for these features and drop me a note with the identifying details.

Washington DC about 2 months ago

found I

DeWalt 20V drill kit found near Union Station

I found a DeWalt 20V MAX XR cordless drill kit this afternoon around 3:15 PM in the Union Station Parking Garage on Massachusetts Ave NE, near the Amtrak entrance. It's tucked inside a yellow-and-black hard case with a slightly dented battery pack and a small blue sticker on the lid with the initials 'JK'. Inside there are two batteries and a compact bit set. I grabbed it thinking someone might be missing it, so I'm keeping it safe and hoping to reunite it with its owner soon; the case shows signs of light wear but the tools work fine. If you recognize it, holler back here or email [email protected] and we'll arrange a handoff.

Washington DC about 2 months ago

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Found keys on blue lanyard near Union Station

I found a set of keys this morning around 7:50am on the ground outside Union Station's main entrance, along Massachusetts Ave NE in Washington DC. The bundle is on a bright blue nylon lanyard with a small metal carabiner and a tiny flashlight keychain. There are a few keys: one is a dented Yale house key, another is a Toyota car key with a red plastic cover, plus a little black USB drive and a red rubber tag that says 'HOME.' The lanyard looks a bit worn but everything else is in decent shape. If this sounds like yours, I’d love to get them back—meet at Union Station or reply here with a matching detail.

Washington DC 2 months ago

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Keys on blue lanyard with penguin charm

Found a set of keys this morning around 7:15am outside the Dupont Circle metro entrance on 19th St NW, Washington DC. They’re on a bright blue nylon lanyard with two brass house keys, a Honda car key with a chipped plastic head, and a small black rubber tag that has an enamel penguin charm. There’s also a tiny copper bottle opener keychain and a faint cat-printed sticker on one key. I’m posting because I know these probably belong to someone who needs them back, and I’d hate for them to be lost again.

Washington DC 3 months ago

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Blue hardcover mystery novel found near Union Station

I found a blue hardcover mystery novel this afternoon around 2:15pm outside the Union Station main entrance on Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington DC. The cover is bright blue with a gold embossed title—'The Silent Lodge'—and the spine has a few light scratches. Inside, there's a dog-eared page at 142, a purple ribbon bookmark sticking out, and a Capitol Hill Public Library stamp on the inside cover with a small pencil note that says 'For Maria.' I'm glad to help get it back to its owner; if this sounds like yours, message me and we can arrange pickup near Union Station.

Washington DC 3 months ago