Claim Property

The Baltimore Police Department’s Evidence Management Unit (“EMU”) stores property seized or collected in connection with criminal investigations. If you are seeking the return of seized property, please contact the evidence management unit at 410-396-2048 or EvidenceSubmissions@baltimorepolice.org. If you believe that your property has been lost or destroyed, or believe that the list of seized property that you receive is incorrect, you may learn more about pursuing a claim or dispute by visiting the following website https://law.baltimorecity.gov/.

EMU’s hours of operation are 9-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Process to retrieve property

  1. The officer or detective in your case must first authorize the release of property before it can be returned to you.
  2. Once authorized for release, contact EMU personnel at 410-396-2048 to schedule an appointment to pick up your property. Appointments are scheduled Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The length of time may vary, but EMU will generally require 5 days lead time to schedule an appointment.
  3. Property may be picked up from the Baltimore Police Department’s Headquarters building located at: 601 E. Fayette St., Baltimore, Md., 21202
  4. Upon arrival, please ring the doorbell at the front door and notify the agency representative that you are picking up property from the Evidence Management Unit. EMU staff will retrieve and return your property from its stored location. It will take approximately 30 minutes to retrieve your property once you arrive at the scheduled location.
  5. A valid picture ID is required when picking up property from EMU.

Can a friend or relative retrieve my property?

If you wish to have someone else retrieve your property from EMU, you must complete a reservation of rights / proxy retrieval form, which is linked here. The person who retrieves your property will need to bring a copy of the form with them (either electronic or hard copy) and present valid picture ID. This does not apply to firearms and ammunition related items.

Personal Property Release of Rights

Process to retrieve the property of a deceased person

EMU will release the property of a deceased person to the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate, who must show proof of appointment as the personal representative. Contact the Register of Wills office in the city/state that the decent last resided to obtain a Letter of Administration for the deceased person’s estate.

To obtain this letter, you will need a list of the property to be claimed, the death certificate and funeral bill. The property list can be obtained from the Evidence Management Unit or the Investigating Officer. You may email EvidenceSubmissions@baltimorepolice.org to obtain the property list.

If the personal representative wishes to have someone else retrieve the property, that person will need to provide a valid picture ID, and the personal representative will need to complete a reservation of rights / proxy retrieval form, which is linked here.

Personal Property Release of Rights

Can I have my property shipped?

BPD will only ship property outside the state of Maryland. Requests for shipment may be submitted to EvidenceSubmissions@baltimorepolice.org. Please provide your case information, contact information, and shipping preference to include insurance.

You must arrange and pay for shipping within 90 days of the date of release notice or your property will be disposed of.

Process to retrieve your firearm – Maryland State Resident

  1. The officer or detective in your case must first authorize the release of the firearm before it can be returned to you.
  2. You must successfully pass a background check through the EMU, in accordance with Maryland Law, to be eligible to be in possession of a firearm.
  • EMU personnel will send a Form 306, firearm letter and background form, through email. Please complete this form and have it notarized by an authorized notary.
  • Completed forms may be returned to EMU via email, FirearmsVault@baltimorepolice.org, or sent via mail to:

Attn: Firearm Vault

Baltimore Police Department

242 W. 29th St., Baltimore, Md., 21202    

                

  • Once completed forms are received, EMU personnel will complete the background check.
  • Upon successful completion, EMU personnel will contact you to schedule an appointment to retrieve your firearm.
  • If you have any questions regarding the status of the return of your firearm(s), please email FirearmsVault@baltimorepolice.org.

 Process to retrieve your firearm – Non-Maryland Resident

  1. Complete the shipping instructions in the “Can I have my property shipped?” section above.
  2. Contact your local police department or licensed firearm dealer to accept the firearm on your behalf. Federal Law prohibits BPD from shipping a firearm to a private residence. The following documents are required:
  • A letter from the chosen police department or firearm dealer on their letterhead stating acceptance of the firearm. The letter must include your name, the BPD case number, firearm information (make/model/type), and any special shipping instructions (such as a particular person or department to receive the firearm).
  • A copy of the dealer’s federal firearm license if you are coordinating shipment to a Firearm Dealer. A copy of the license is not necessary when shipping to a police department.
  • Documents are to be submitted to the Baltimore Police Department Firearm Vault by: 

Mail: 242 W. 29th St., Baltimore, Md., 21211

Email: FirearmsVault@baltimorepolice.org

  1. Once proper documentation and payment is received, we will ship the firearm via USPS and provide you with the designated tracking information.     

Unclaimed Property

All unclaimed property is sent to public auction. Items are sold online at PropertyRoom.com.