Lost & Found Services in Pennsylvania

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

Most Populated Cities in Pennsylvania

Philadelphia

Pittsburgh

Allentown

Harrisburg

Lancaster

Scranton

How Lost & Found Works in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania approaches lost property from the criminal side: its key rule is not a deadline but a duty. Under 18 Pa.C.S. section 3924, anyone who ends up with property they know is lost or mislaid commits theft if they keep it without taking reasonable measures to return it.

There is no statewide civil timetable like California's or Arizona's: how long a found wallet waits in a Philadelphia or Pittsburgh property room is a matter of each department's policy. 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 Pennsylvania

The duty to return (18 Pa.C.S. §3924)

A finder who knows an item is lost or mislaid and keeps it with intent to deprive the owner, without taking reasonable measures to return it, is guilty of theft. Penalties scale with the item's value.

No statewide clock, local policies instead

Pennsylvania sets no single holding period for found property. Each police department, transit agency and venue defines its own retention and claim procedures, often in the range of a few months. Contact the organization that may hold the item to confirm its procedure.

Mislaid items stay where you left them

An item forgotten on a counter, a table or a seat (mislaid property) typically remains with the business where it was left, which becomes its custodian until you return. That is why contacting the business where an item may have been left is one way to ask about its lost-and-found process.

Where items end up in Pennsylvania

Found items are held by city police and county property rooms under local policies, and by venue desks: SEPTA in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Regional Transit run their own lost & found, as do PHL and PIT airports, stadiums, universities and hotels; animal care and control services handle 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 Pennsylvania?

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 →

Pennsylvania Lost & Found FAQ

How long do Pennsylvania police keep found property?

There is no statewide legal deadline: each department sets its own retention policy, often a few months. Procedures vary by city; confirm the current filing process and claim dates with the relevant department.

Is it finders keepers in Pennsylvania?

No. Keeping an item you know is lost, without taking reasonable measures to return it, is theft under 18 Pa.C.S. 3924, with penalties that scale with the item's value.

I lost something on SEPTA or at the airport, who holds it?

SEPTA, Pittsburgh Regional Transit and the airports each run their own lost & found, separate from police property rooms. 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 Pennsylvania?

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

This page provides general information about Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania

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