O'Hare Lost and Found
Lost something at O'Hare? Get contact information, office locations, hours, and recovery instructions for items lost in terminals or on planes.
Author: Sarah Mitchell
Contact Lost and Found Immediately
- Phone: (773) 894-2427 (24/7)
- Location: Terminal 3, Lower Level
- Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Items held: 30 days (general), 90 days (valuables)
- Airline items: Contact your airline directly
How to Report a Lost Item
Acting quickly significantly improves your chances of recovering lost items. O'Hare's Lost and Found processes hundreds of items daily, from cell phones to laptops to luggage. The key is providing detailed descriptions and knowing whether your item was lost in airport facilities (contact airport Lost and Found) or on an aircraft or at the gate (contact airline directly).
Step-by-Step Recovery Process
Follow These Steps
1. Determine Where You Lost the Item
- On airplane or at gate: Contact airline Lost and Found
- Security checkpoint: Contact TSA at (571) 227-2406
- Terminal, restaurant, shop: Contact O'Hare Lost and Found
- Parking lot or transportation: Contact Chicago Aviation Police
2. Contact the Appropriate Department Immediately
- O'Hare Lost and Found: (773) 894-2427
- Provide date, time, terminal, and detailed description
- Include unique identifiers (serial numbers, distinguishing marks)
3. File an Online Report
- Visit Chargerback website (O'Hare's tracking system)
- Complete detailed lost item report
- Upload photos if available
- Check status daily for updates
4. Follow Up Regularly
- Call every 2-3 days for high-value items
- Check online tracking system daily
- Items are cataloged as they're turned in (may take 24-48 hours)
O'Hare Lost and Found Contact Information
Main Lost and Found Office
Location: Terminal 3, Lower Level (Baggage Claim)
Phone: (773) 894-2427 (24/7 phone line)
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
After Hours: Leave voicemail or file online report
TSA Lost Items (Security Checkpoint)
National TSA Contact: (571) 227-2406
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM EST
Online: TSA.gov Lost and Found page
Note: Items found at security are held separately by TSA
Airline Lost and Found Contacts
Items lost on aircraft, at gates, or in airline lounges should be reported directly to your airline. Each airline maintains its own Lost and Found department:
Major Airlines at O'Hare
- United Airlines: (800) 335-2247 (largest carrier at ORD)
- American Airlines: (800) 433-7300
- Delta Air Lines: (800) 325-8224
- Southwest Airlines: (214) 932-0333
- Spirit Airlines: (855) 728-3555
- International Airlines: Check airline website for specific contact
Have your flight number, departure date, and seat number ready when calling
How Long Are Items Held?
- General items: 30 days (clothing, bags, books, accessories)
- Valuable items: 90 days (electronics, jewelry, wallets, IDs)
- Perishable items: 24 hours (food, flowers)
- Medications: 30 days (then disposed according to regulations)
- Hazardous items: Immediately turned over to security
After these retention periods, unclaimed items are donated to local charities or disposed of. Contact Lost and Found as soon as possible to maximize recovery chances.
Picking Up Recovered Items
What to Bring
- Government-issued photo ID: Driver's license or passport
- Proof of ownership: Receipt, photos, serial numbers
- Flight information: Boarding pass or itinerary
- Case number: From your Lost and Found report
In-Person Pickup: Terminal 3, Lower Level, Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Mail Delivery: Some items can be shipped for a fee. Contact Lost and Found for details and shipping costs. You'll need to provide payment information and shipping address.
Tips for Preventing Lost Items
- Label everything: Use luggage tags with contact information
- Take photos: Document valuable items and serial numbers
- Use Find My: Enable tracking on phones, tablets, AirTags
- Checkpoint bins: Double-check bins after security screening
- Seat pockets: Check before deplaning (common for tablets, phones)
- Overhead bins: Verify you have all items before leaving aircraft
- Gate areas: Don't leave items at charging stations
- Bright colors: Use distinctive bag tags or luggage for easy identification
Most Commonly Lost Items
What People Lose Most Often
- 1. Cell phones and tablets
- 2. Headphones and earbuds
- 3. Laptop computers
- 4. Jackets and sweaters
- 5. Wallets and purses
- 6. Keys (car keys, house keys)
- 7. Glasses and sunglasses
- 8. Travel documents (passports, boarding passes)
- 9. Jewelry and watches
- 10. Chargers and charging cables
Bottom Line
Contact O'Hare Lost and Found at (773) 894-2427 immediately when you realize an item is missing. File reports with both airport and airline if unsure where item was lost. Items are held 30-90 days depending on type. Act fast and provide detailed descriptions to improve recovery chances.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report a lost item at O'Hare Airport?
Contact the O'Hare Lost and Found immediately at (773) 894-2427 (available 24/7). Provide detailed item description, when and where you lost it, and contact information. If lost on an airplane or at a gate, contact your airline directly as they maintain separate lost and found departments. File reports with both airport and airline to maximize recovery chances.
Where is the Lost and Found office at O'Hare?
The main Lost and Found office is located in Terminal 3, Lower Level (baggage claim area). Hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. For after-hours inquiries, call (773) 894-2427. Each terminal also has information desks that can direct you to the nearest Lost and Found location or contact point.
How long does O'Hare hold lost items?
O'Hare holds found items for 30 days for general belongings (electronics, clothing, bags). Perishable items are held for 24 hours only. Valuable items like jewelry, wallets, and IDs are held for 90 days. After these periods, unclaimed items are donated to charity or disposed of. Contact Lost and Found immediately to improve recovery chances.
Can I check Lost and Found status online?
Yes, O'Hare uses a third-party service called Chargerback for tracking found items. Visit their website and search by item description, date lost, and terminal. You can also file lost item reports online. However, calling (773) 894-2427 often gets faster results, especially for recently lost items still being processed.