Ever walked along a Florida beach and found a gold ring glinting in the sand? Maybe you picked up a lost wallet in a grocery store parking lot, or you’re a metal detectorist who’s discovered a stash of old coins after a hurricane. The age-old playground rule “finders keepers, losers weepers” might sound simple, but the real law in Florida is much more complicated—and a whole lot more interesting!
Let’s untangle what Florida law actually says about lost, mislaid, and abandoned property. Whether you’re a local, a visitor, or a hopeful treasure hunter, you’ll want to know when you can keep what you find, when you have to turn it in, and why the “finders keepers” rule is rarely as straightforward as you might hope.
Lost, Mislaid, or Abandoned? Why It Matters
Florida law divides found property into three main categories. Understanding which one you’ve stumbled upon is key to knowing your rights—and responsibilities:
- Lost Property: This is something the owner never meant to part with (like a dropped wallet, ring, or cash). The item was lost unintentionally and is typically separated from the owner by accident.
- Mislaid Property: This is property the owner intentionally put somewhere and then forgot about (like a cell phone left on a café table or sunglasses at a shop counter). Legally, the property belongs to the owner of the premises where it was found, not the finder.
- Abandoned Property: If it’s clear the owner gave up all rights to the property (for example, furniture left at the curb with a “Free” sign), then the finder can generally claim it—though even this can have exceptions.
Why does this matter? Because how you treat what you find—and whether you can legally keep it—changes with each type.
What Does Florida Law Require If You Find Something Valuable?
If you find something that appears lost or abandoned in Florida, you have some legal duties. The most important rule: if it’s valuable, you can’t just pocket it and walk away. Here’s what you’re expected to do:
- Report It to the Police: Under Florida Statute 705.102, anyone who finds lost or abandoned property valued at $100 or more must turn it over to law enforcement within 10 days. This lets the rightful owner have a fair chance to recover it.
- Hold Period: The police or sheriff’s office will hold the property (usually for 90 days) while they try to contact the owner. If nobody claims the property, the finder may be able to claim it after the holding period—provided all legal steps were followed.
- If You Don’t Report It: If you keep valuable lost property without turning it in, Florida law considers it theft. That gold ring you found in the surf? If you pocket it and someone sees you—or the owner comes looking—you could be charged.
What About Mislaid Property?
If you find something that was clearly set down intentionally but forgotten, Florida law says the property should go to the owner of the place where it was left. For example, a watch left on a restaurant table should be turned in to the restaurant manager, not kept or taken home. The business is then responsible for safeguarding it for the owner. If the real owner never comes forward, the premises owner might eventually be allowed to claim it.
What If You Find Cash, Jewelry, or Other Valuables in Public?
The law treats cash, jewelry, phones, and other valuables like any other lost property. If the value is $100 or more, report it to the police or sheriff. If you find something worth less than $100, you’re not strictly required to turn it in—but you should still make a good-faith effort to find the owner. The “right thing” often means turning in anything with obvious sentimental or real value, regardless of the amount.
Example: If you find a $10 bill on the sidewalk with no identification, you probably aren’t legally required to report it. But if you find a wallet with cash and ID, you should turn it in, even if the cash is less than $100.
Shipwrecks, Artifacts, and Buried Treasure: Florida’s Special Case
With hundreds of miles of coastline and a legendary history of hurricanes and shipwrecks, Florida has its own rules about treasure hunting:
- Shipwrecks and Underwater Finds: If you find gold, coins, or artifacts in the ocean or on state-owned submerged lands, you cannot claim “finders keepers.” These finds are protected by state and federal law (including the Florida Historical Resources Act and the federal Abandoned Shipwreck Act). All underwater archaeological finds belong to the state or federal government.
- Artifacts and Historic Items on Land: Items over 50 years old, especially if found on public property or state lands, are protected and must be reported to the Florida Division of Historical Resources. Removing them without a permit can bring heavy fines or even jail time.
- Private Land: If you’re treasure hunting on private land with the owner’s permission, what you find is usually yours—or you’ll split it as agreed. But be aware: if you find something of great historical value, state law might still step in.
Tip: The “Treasure Coast” of Florida is famous for shipwreck finds, but just because it washes up on the beach doesn’t mean it’s yours to keep. Always report historic or archaeological finds, no matter how tempting.
Can You Keep What You Find on the Beach?
Florida’s public beaches are a favorite for metal detectorists and beachcombers, and yes—you can usually keep modern items like recent coins, jewelry, and watches you find above the mean high water line, provided you follow local rules and are not in a state park or protected zone. But there are exceptions:
- State Parks and Protected Beaches: Most state parks prohibit metal detecting or removing items without written permission. That diamond ring found in the sand at a state park? It must be turned in.
- Dunes, Wildlife Areas, and Protected Zones: Never dig or collect in dune areas, sea turtle nesting grounds, or marked wildlife habitats. Even picking up lost items in these zones can lead to a citation.
- Artifacts or Shipwreck Finds: If it looks historic or over 50 years old—report it, don’t keep it.
So, while you might find a lost earring or a dropped smartphone, the law expects you to turn in anything valuable, and anything historic belongs to everyone—not just the finder.
How Does the Holding Period Work in Florida?
After turning lost property over to the police or sheriff’s office, there’s typically a 90-day waiting period. If no one claims the property and the finder has complied with the law, the item may be returned to the finder, who then becomes its lawful owner. But, if the rightful owner comes forward within that time and can prove ownership, the property must be returned.
Note: For some items, like vehicles or boats, there are separate and sometimes much longer holding periods, plus extra steps for registration.
What Happens If You Don’t Report What You Find?
Keeping found property without making a good faith effort to return it is considered theft in Florida. This can lead to criminal charges, especially for high-value or sentimental items. And if it’s an artifact, shipwreck treasure, or anything protected by state or federal law, penalties can be much higher, including fines and jail.
In short, “finders keepers” without following the law can quickly turn into “losers weepers—and payers of fines.”
Can the Original Owner Get Their Property Back Later?
Even if you’ve been given the property after the holding period, the original owner may still have a claim if they can prove ownership and act within the law’s timeframe. After the statutory waiting period, your rights as the finder are usually protected—unless a court finds otherwise.
Real-Life Examples: Florida Finds and What Happened Next
- Found Wallet at Disney Springs: Turned in to security, reunited with the owner the next day. No reward required—just good karma.
- Spanish Coin on the Treasure Coast Beach: Turned over to the Florida Division of Historical Resources—could not be kept, but the finder got credit for the discovery.
- Gold Ring Found in a County Park: Turned in to the sheriff. After 90 days unclaimed, the ring was legally returned to the finder.
- Jewelry Found on State Park Beach: Turned over to park rangers—owner was found by an engraving inside the band and happily reunited.
- Cash Found in Grocery Store: Turned in to store management; store policy (not law) decided what happened after a waiting period.
Special Case: What If You’re Metal Detecting?
Metal detectorists must follow the same rules as everyone else. You can search most public beaches (outside of state parks or protected areas), but you must report valuable finds and historic items. In state parks, metal detecting is usually banned without a permit. Always research local ordinances—some counties and cities have additional restrictions or require a free permit for metal detecting in public spaces.
If you’re hunting on private land, always get the owner’s written permission and agree in advance how to handle any finds.
Quick Tips for Staying Legal with Your Florida Finds
- Report lost or valuable property (over $100) to law enforcement within 10 days.
- Turn in mislaid items to the premises or property owner.
- Don’t remove artifacts or shipwreck items—they belong to the state or federal government.
- On private land, always get permission and agree how to split finds.
- Leave dunes, protected habitats, and historic sites alone—never dig or collect there.
- Keep receipts or proof if you’re awarded found property after the holding period.
- When in doubt, check with the police, city hall, or a lawyer.
Bottom Line: “Finders Keepers” Isn’t the Whole Story in Florida
The truth is, Florida’s “finders keepers” laws are really about doing the right thing: respecting other people’s property, protecting history, and following the law. If you report what you find, respect the rules, and treat every discovery with care, you can walk away with a clear conscience—and sometimes, a new treasure of your own.
Remember, the best finds are the ones you can keep (and brag about) without any worries. Happy hunting—and happy returning, too!
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