Lost & Found Services in Florida

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

Most Populated Cities in Florida

Miami

Tampa

Orlando

Jacksonville

Cape Coral

Palm Bay

How Lost & Found Works in Florida

Florida spells out its lost property rules in Chapter 705 of the Florida Statutes, and the system revolves around one number: 90 days. That is how long the claim window stays open once a found item enters the official circuit.

Florida is also a state of airports, beaches, theme parks and rental cars, places where losing something is easy and where every venue runs its own lost & found desk on top of the legal system. ReportLost works across both circuits: we file reports with the right local departments, alert the places you visited, and your report keeps searching for a match during your entire search period.

What the Law Says in Florida

Finders must report (Florida Statutes §705.102)

Whoever finds lost or abandoned property in Florida is required to report it to a law enforcement officer. A finder who wants to claim the item if the owner never appears declares that intent when reporting, and covers the agency's costs of storage and notice. Simply pocketing a find without reporting it can be prosecuted as theft.

The 90-day window (Florida Statutes §705.103)

Once reported, the item enters a 90-day custodial period during which law enforcement attempts to identify the owner and publishes notice. If you claim your item within those 90 days and prove ownership, it comes back to you. If nobody does, title legally vests in the finder (or the agency).

Venues run their own desks first

In Florida, hotels, airports, theme parks and rental-car companies may operate their own lost-and-found desks and retention policies. Those procedures can differ from the rules for property held by law enforcement.

Where items end up in Florida

Found items split between police and sheriff property units (the legal circuit) and venue desks: airport lost & found offices (MIA, MCO, FLL and TPA are among the busiest in the country), theme parks, hotels, beach patrols and transit agencies, plus county animal services for 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 Florida?

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 →

Florida Lost & Found FAQ

How long do I have to claim a found item in Florida?

The legal window is 90 days once the item is in law enforcement custody. Venue lost & found desks (hotels, airports, parks) set their own shorter retention policies, check the applicable office’s current instructions.

Does a finder have to turn my item in?

Yes. Florida Statutes require finders to report lost or abandoned property to law enforcement, and keeping a find without reporting it can be prosecuted as theft.

I lost something at a Florida airport or theme park, who holds it?

The venue itself, almost always. Airports and parks run large dedicated lost & found operations separate from the police. 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 Florida?

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

This page provides general information about Florida 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 Florida

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