Lost something in Novato? Report it and we'll connect you with the right people.
One report gets routed to the Novato Police Department, local transit, Gnoss Field Airport if relevant, and active community channels. Your report stays active, searching for a match so you don't have to check back every day.
What did you lose?
If there isn’t an adequate suggestion, select “Other – My item isn’t listed” and enter the item’s category. You can provide details later.
Publishing your report is free and your details stay private. The assisted search is a separate paid service, described in the Terms.
Recent activity
California : found property must be held by law enforcement for at least 90 days before it can pass to the finder, be auctioned or disposed of. (California Civil Code §2080.2)
Across the United States
- Wrislet clutch gray/silver bag with documents · Chicago, IL, October 8
- Ring TM on top · Greensboro, NC, October 8
- Keys · Sarasota, FL, October 8
- Keys · Brookline, MA, October 7
- Camera · Monterey, CA, October 7
Local contact details reviewed on October 7, 2026.
How ReportLost works in Novato
You file a report in minutes
Tell us what you lost, where, and when. We handle the details, formatting, and routing so you don't have to email five different agencies.
We contact the right offices and communities
Your report goes straight to the Novato Police Department, Marin Transit if it's a bus item, Gnoss Field if relevant, and gets shared with local Facebook groups and Nextdoor so neighbors can help.
Your report keeps searching automatically
For your entire 6 or 12 month period, your report matches against new found items, online listings, and community posts. We alert you the moment a credible match appears, so the search continues without you lifting a finger.
Where lost items go in Novato
Here's who handles lost property in town. You can reach out directly, or we can do it for you as part of your report.
Novato Police Department
The Police Department accepts lost property reports and maintains a record of recovered items. Call the non-emergency line to ask if something matching your description has been turned in. We'll file a formal lost property report on your behalf and follow up with them regularly during your search period.
Call 415-897-4361 (non-emergency)|Email police@novato.gov|Visit 909 Machin Ave, Novato CA 94945
Marin Transit Lost and Found
Lost something on a Marin Transit bus? Items are collected by drivers and held in their lost and found system. It typically takes 2-3 business days for recovered items to be logged. We'll contact them on your behalf and keep checking during your search period.
Call 415-455-2000 (7 AM to 6 PM, weekdays)|Visit marintransit.gov/lost-and-found
Gnoss Field Airport Lost and Found
If you lost an item at Novato's small public airport or on airport grounds, contact Airport Services. Gnoss Field operates 24/7 and can check their recovered items log. We'll reach out to them as part of your report.
City of Novato
Novato City Hall can direct you to the right department for certain types of lost property, or provide additional resources. We'll include them in your report if the location or nature of your loss warrants their involvement.
Lost Pet? Marin Humane
If you've lost a pet, Marin Humane is the essential resource. Call immediately and provide details. They maintain a searchable lost pets database and can alert shelters and vets across Marin County. For a faster, more comprehensive lost pet response, file a priority lost pet report with ReportLost, which activates pet-specific channels and keeps your alert live for months.
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
Ready to get your report out there?
The sooner you file, the sooner local services and neighbors can start looking. Once your report is active, you can focus on other things while we keep searching for you.
Report my lost item →Losing something in Novato means contacting the police, checking with Marin Transit, scanning Nextdoor, posting to Facebook groups, and hoping someone finds it. These channels don't talk to each other, and items get forgotten quickly. You end up repeating your story and refreshing search pages for months.
ReportLost simplifies everything. File once, and we notify every relevant local office and community channel in Novato on your behalf. Then your report stays active, continuously matching your description against new found items and posts across the web, without you having to check back in daily.
Common places to lose things in Novato
These neighborhoods and spots see the most foot traffic and lost item reports.
Downtown Novato / Sherman Avenue
The commercial heart of town, with shops, restaurants, and City Hall. High traffic means more losses, but also more chances someone's seen your item.
Novato Boulevard and Marin Transit corridors
Where most of the city's buses run and Marin Transit riders congregate. If you lost something on a bus or at a transit stop, this area matters.
Indian Valley and residential neighborhoods
Where people walk dogs, visit friends, and shop locally. Suburban loses often surface through community posts and Nextdoor.
Gnoss Field and North Novato
The airport area and outlying neighborhoods. Less dense but worth checking local community boards if you lost something near the field.
Schools and parks
College of Marin, local parks, and recreation areas are spots where items turn up. Schools sometimes hold found items at their administration offices.
Novato's lost and found community
Your neighbors are watching. Here's where locals post found items and help reunite people with their stuff.
The largest community group for lost and found pets across the greater North Bay. Thousands of members, active daily.
Official updates and community posts from NPD. Some lost items get reported here.
Marin County subreddit where locals post lost items and ask for help. Smaller but engaged community.
Neighborhood-based posts with fast response times. Great for hyperlocal losses.
Questions about reporting a lost item in Novato
How long do the Novato Police keep lost property?
The Novato Police Department holds lost items for a period before disposal. We recommend filing your report right away and checking back weekly or having us do it for you. Items are more likely to be recoverable within the first 30 days.
What if I lost something on a Marin Transit bus?
Contact Marin Transit Customer Service at 415-455-2000 (7 AM to 6 PM, weekdays). Items typically take 2-3 business days to be logged into their system. We'll check with them regularly during your search period.
Do I need to file a police report to claim something at the police station?
Not always. Call the non-emergency number at 415-897-4361 first and describe your item. If they have it, they'll tell you what paperwork is needed. A formal lost property report (which we file for you) helps establish that you're the rightful owner.
How do I search for my item in Marin Transit's lost and found?
Call Customer Service at 415-455-2000 during business hours. You can describe your item and they'll check. Alternatively, visit their page at marintransit.gov/lost-and-found or have us contact them as part of your report.
Can I post about my lost item on Nextdoor and Facebook?
Absolutely. ReportLost actually handles this for you as part of your report, posting to local community groups and channels so neighbors see it without you having to manage multiple posts. You can also post directly if you prefer.
Is ReportLost.org official? Do I still need to contact the police myself?
ReportLost is an independent service, not part of the Novato Police Department or City. We're a reporting partner that files your information with the relevant authorities and community channels on your behalf. You can always contact the police directly too, but filing through us ensures consistent follow-up and broader community visibility during your search period.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Don't wait. File your report today.
The first few days are critical. Getting your report in front of the Novato Police, Marin Transit, and local communities right away dramatically improves your chances. Once it's filed, your report stays active, searching automatically for 12 months while you move forward.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with the Novato Police Department, City of Novato, Marin Transit, Marin Humane, Gnoss Field Airport, or any other agency or service mentioned. We file reports and share information on your behalf with these organizations, but they remain the official sources for lost property. Verify all contact information and policies directly with these entities, as procedures and hours may change.