Lost & Found Services in Arizona

Discover how to report or find lost items across major cities in Arizona. We help you connect with local services, transportation hubs, and more.

Most Populated Cities in Arizona

Phoenix

Tucson

Mesa

Chandler

Gilbert

Glendale

How Lost & Found Works in Arizona

Arizona Revised Statutes sections 12-941 and 12-942 describe procedures for public agencies holding found property, including a 30-day period before certain dispositions. The relevant steps depend on the agency and item.

The mechanics are simple: agencies make reasonable efforts to find the owner, hold the item for 30 days, then may hand it to the finder, auction it, or keep it for agency use. ReportLost is an independent service. A free report creates a public listing; paid options add public-web monitoring, and the $25 team-assisted option also includes relevant local outreach. Agencies and venues set their own filing and holding procedures.

What the Law Says in Arizona

The 30-day window (ARS §12-941)

Found property turned over to a state, county, city or town agency must be kept for 30 days while reasonable efforts are made to locate and notify the owner. Additional notice requirements may apply before disposal.

Notice for items over $150

Before an unclaimed item worth more than $150 is finally disposed of, a notice describing it must be published or posted. Check the relevant agency’s claim process and provide enough detail to establish ownership.

After 30 days: finder, auction or agency

If nobody claims the item, it may be returned to the finder who turned it in, sold at public auction, or retained by the agency when it has a useful value.

Where items end up in Arizona

Found items are held by city police and county sheriff property units, while Sky Harbor and Tucson International run their own busy lost & found desks, as do Valley Metro, hotels, resorts and trailhead visitor centers; county animal care handles pets. The city pages below list local contacts. ReportLost is independent; its free listing, six-month automatic monitoring and twelve-month team-assisted option are described on the report form.

Lost something in Arizona?

A free report creates a public listing. The $12 option adds six months of automatic monitoring, a ReportLost certificate, an anonymous case address, and QR stickers. The $25 option adds manual research, direct service contact, report submission, local social sharing, and 12 months of monitoring.

Report my lost item →

Arizona Lost & Found FAQ

How long do Arizona police keep found property?

The statutory period is 30 days, with reasonable efforts to notify the owner during that time. Check the applicable agency’s current claim instructions.

What happens to my item after 30 days?

Unclaimed items may go to the finder who turned them in, be sold at public auction, or be kept by the agency. For items worth more than $150, a public notice must be published before final disposition.

I lost something at Sky Harbor or on Valley Metro, who holds it?

Each runs its own lost & found, separate from police property rooms, with its own retention policy. The report form describes ReportLost’s free public listing, six-month automatic monitoring and twelve-month team-assisted option with relevant outreach.

Do I get my item back if someone turned it in?

The agency may ask you to prove ownership with a photo, serial number or identifying detail. Keep one detail private when contacting a finder or agency so it can help confirm ownership.

Is a reward mandatory in Arizona?

No. Offering a reward is your choice, never a legal obligation.

This page provides general information about Arizona law as of publication and is not legal advice. Procedures vary by city and department; verify details with your local authorities. Last reviewed: July 2026.

All Cities We Cover in Arizona

Each city page lists the local lost & found contacts and how to report a loss there.