Crime Solvers Central
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What to Do When Someone Goes Missing: The First 48 Hours

Report the person missing to police right away. There is no waiting period, and the first hours matter most. Then gather recent photos and details for investigators, check the places and people they might have gone to, protect anything that could hold evidence, and start getting the word out with a flyer and social media posts.

Updated November 15, 2026 · Crime Solvers Central, an independent, volunteer-run cold case site

The free Flyer Builder turns the person's photo and details into a printable missing person flyer in a few minutes.

Make a missing person flyer

1. Call the police now

  • Call 911 if there is any danger: a young child, someone with dementia or a medical condition, signs of violence, or someone who is suicidal. Otherwise call the local police non-emergency line where the person was last seen.
  • You don't have to wait 24 or 48 hours. That is a myth. Federal law bars police from making families wait before taking a report for a missing child, and missing children and young adults under 21 must be entered into the FBI's national database (NCIC) within two hours.
  • For a missing child, also call the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
  • Write down the officer's name, the agency, and the report or case number. You'll need them for everything that follows.

2. What to give investigators

  • Several recent, clear photos, including one of the face.
  • Full name, nicknames, date of birth, height, weight, hair and eye color, tattoos, scars, glasses.
  • What they were wearing and what they had with them: phone, wallet, bags, medication.
  • When and where they were last seen and who saw them.
  • Phone number and carrier, email and social media accounts, bank and credit cards.
  • Vehicle: color, year, make, model and plate.
  • Medical needs, mental health concerns and anything that makes this out of character.
  • People and places: friends, partners, coworkers, places they like to go, anyone they had conflict with.

3. Check the obvious places, quickly

  • Call friends, relatives, coworkers and exes, and ask them to call you if they hear anything.
  • Call local hospitals and check county jail inmate lookups in the area.
  • Check their social media for recent posts, messages or location tags, and ask friends to watch for activity.
  • Ask nearby businesses and neighbors about camera footage. Many systems record over themselves within days, so ask early, and tell police what you find.

4. Protect possible evidence

  • Don't clean their room, car or belongings and don't wash their clothes or bedding.
  • Keep a toothbrush, hairbrush or razor in a paper bag for police; they can hold DNA.
  • Don't log into or change their accounts unless investigators ask you to. Keep a list of passwords you know for police.

5. Get the word out

  • Make a flyer with a clear photo, the description and the police tip line. See how to make a missing person flyer.
  • Post it on social media and in local community groups, and ask people to share.
  • Contact local news once police agree. See how to write a press release for a missing person.
  • Ask about NamUs. Families can enter a missing person case in NamUs, the national missing persons system; it goes public after the investigating agency verifies it.

6. Look after the family

  • Pick one family contact for police and media, and keep a notebook of every call, tip and contact.
  • Keep someone at home in case the person returns or calls.
  • Ask for help with meals, flyers and phone calls. You can't do all of it alone.

The free Flyer Builder turns the person's photo and details into a printable missing person flyer in a few minutes. See membership options.

Make a missing person flyer

Frequently asked questions

Do you have to wait 24 hours to report someone missing?

No. That is a myth. Report the person missing as soon as you believe they are missing. Police may not make families wait before taking a report for a missing child, and missing children and young adults under 21 must be entered into the FBI's NCIC database within two hours.

What information do police need for a missing person report?

Recent photos, full name and date of birth, physical description, what they were wearing, when and where they were last seen, their phone, accounts and vehicle, medical or mental health concerns, and the people and places they might go to.

What should I do first if my adult family member is missing?

Call police and make a report, then contact friends and relatives, call local hospitals, check jail inmate lookups, check social media, and protect their belongings in case they hold evidence.

Who do I call if my child is missing?

Call 911 or local police right away, then call the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).

Can families enter a missing person in NamUs?

Yes. Families can enter a missing person case in NamUs, and it becomes public after the investigating agency verifies it.

More help for families

Crime Solvers Central is an independent, volunteer-run case research and advocacy site, not a law enforcement agency. In an emergency call 911. Questions? Contact us.