Stanford, CA

Lost something on campus or around Stanford? Report it and we take the steps for you.

One report sent to Stanford Department of Public Safety, nearby transit services, and local community channels. Your report stays active, continuously searching for matches so you don't have to.

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

996
reports filed
163
in California

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

Local contact details reviewed on October 7, 2026.

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How it works

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You report your loss

Tell us what you lost, where, and when. We gather the details needed to file with Stanford Public Safety and alert the right channels on your behalf.

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We route it to the right places

Your report goes directly to Stanford Department of Public Safety's lost and found system, relevant campus transportation services, and active community groups. No back and forth, no multiple forms.

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Your report keeps searching

For your entire search period, your report stays active and continues to cross-check new found items, campus posts, and community alerts. You get notified the moment a credible match appears, so the work continues even while you move on.

Where to report your lost item

Stanford has several places to file a report. Here's what each covers and how ReportLost saves you the legwork.

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Stanford Department of Public Safety

Stanford's primary lost and found registry. Items turned in at campus security, residence halls, and campus facilities go here. Email or call during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM). We file your report directly so you don't have to compose the email yourself.

Report to SUDPS

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Stanford Transportation (Marguerite)

Items left on the Marguerite shuttle buses are held in the lost and found. Call the dispatch and lost and found line during business hours. We ensure your report reaches them automatically so nothing slips through.

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San Francisco International Airport

If your loss happened at SFO (the nearest major airport), items are held at the airport's central lost and found office. SFO has extended hours and a phone line staffed daily. We can point you to the exact office and help you know what to report.

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Lost pet near Stanford

If you've lost a cat, dog, or other animal on or near campus, contact Pets In Need (a local rescue and shelter serving the Stanford area) and file a priority lost pet report. They coordinate with shelters and community networks. File a priority lost pet report

⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.

The sooner you report, the sooner we can help

Items moved through campus systems and local channels quickly. Filing your report today means we can start cross-checking campus lost and found records, transportation logs, and community postings right away. Once you've submitted, your report keeps working in the background for months.

Report my lost item →

Stanford's campus spans thousands of acres, and losing something in the dorms, libraries, athletic facilities, or around the Oval feels like searching a small town. Even worse, Stanford Department of Public Safety, campus transportation (Marguerite shuttle), the various campus buildings, and local community networks all keep separate lost and found records. You end up calling multiple places, filling out duplicate forms, or scrolling through Facebook groups manually for weeks.

ReportLost simplifies that. One report reaches Stanford Public Safety, Marguerite transportation, and the right community channels at once. Then your report stays active in the background, automatically checking new found items and campus postings so you don't have to refresh pages or make follow-up calls every few days. Once you report, your case keeps working for you.

View of Stanford, CA

Common places to lose things on or near Stanford

If you remember where you lost your item, it helps us prioritize which campus office or local service to contact first.

Central Campus and the Oval

The heart of Stanford, including the libraries, classrooms, and dining halls. High foot traffic means items sometimes make their way to building lost and found desks or campus security.

Residence Halls and Dorm Areas

Rings, wallets, and phones lost in dorms or common spaces are often turned in to RA offices or residential affairs. Stanford Public Safety coordinates with housing services.

Athletic Facilities and Sports Complexes

Items left at gyms, pools, tennis courts, or locker rooms often end up with facility staff or the athletic department's lost and found.

Transportation Hubs and Parking

Lost on the Marguerite shuttle, at parking lots, or near the visitor center. Transit services and parking management keep separate records.

Stanford Shopping Center Vicinity

Near campus but off-campus retail and restaurant areas. Local businesses may hold items, or they may not report to Stanford's system.

Community networks and groups

Stanford students and staff often post lost items in campus and local Facebook groups. We alert these channels alongside official services.

Stanford Lost and Found Facebook groups
Community members and campus staff post found items regularly
Nextdoor posts in Palo Alto and Stanford areas
Local residents and neighbors often report found items in their feeds
r/stanford on Reddit
Stanford students ask for help and share sightings of lost items
Campus student organizations and dorm pages
Residence halls and clubs often share lost and found notices internally

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stanford Public Safety hold lost items?

Stanford typically holds lost and found items for 30–90 days before discarding or donating them, depending on the item type. It's important to report quickly. ReportLost keeps your case active and connected to their system so you don't miss the window.

What if I lost something on the Marguerite shuttle?

Call the Stanford Transportation lost and found line at 650-564-3336 or email marguerite@stanford.edu. Items are usually held at the transportation office for a limited time. We include Marguerite in your report automatically.

Can I search Stanford's lost and found database myself?

Stanford's lost and found is not a public searchable database. You must contact Stanford Public Safety directly by email or phone. ReportLost files your report on your behalf and keeps it active for months, checking for matches as new items come in.

What if my item was lost near Stanford but not on campus?

Stanford Department of Public Safety primarily handles on-campus items. If you lost something at nearby shops, restaurants, or off-campus housing, we'll route your report to relevant local businesses and community groups. Check with the specific location directly; we help coordinate.

How do I search for a lost pet in the Stanford area?

Contact Pets In Need at 650-367-1405 (open 12:30 PM–6 PM daily) to file a lost pet report. They coordinate with local shelters and rescue networks. We recommend posting in local Facebook groups (Napa Valley Missing Pets, Bay Area lost dog groups) as well. File a dedicated lost pet report with us so your search stays active.

Is ReportLost.org official, or does it replace the police?

ReportLost is an independent service, not run by Stanford Department of Public Safety, the city, or any government agency. We don't replace official reporting. Instead, we take your information and file it with the right official services (Stanford Public Safety, campus transportation, local channels) on your behalf, then keep your report active and searching for 12 months. You get the benefit of official channels plus continuous follow-up.

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Ready to find what you lost?

Fill out your report now. We'll handle contacting Stanford Public Safety, campus transportation, and local community networks. Your report stays active and searching, so you can focus on your day knowing the work is being done.

Start my report →

ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with Stanford University, Stanford Department of Public Safety, Stanford Transportation, San Francisco International Airport, Pets In Need, or any local government agencies. We provide a coordinated reporting and monitoring service to help people locate lost items by routing information to official lost and found channels and community networks. We are not a substitute for direct contact with these services. Please verify all phone numbers and hours on official websites before calling.