I need to file a loss report.
'Denuncia' = deh-NOON-cha. 'Smarrimento' = smar-ree-MEN-toh. From 'smarrire' (to lose/misplace).
At the police station when reporting lost documents, wallet or valuables — legally required for replacements.
'Denuncia di smarrimento' (loss report) is the official police document stating that property was lost (not stolen). It differs from a 'querela' (criminal complaint) or 'denuncia di furto' (theft report). Many replacement processes (driving licence, identity card, tessera sanitaria) require this document. You can file it at any Commissariato di Polizia, Caserma dei Carabinieri, or sometimes at the Comune.
Voglio denunciare un furto, non uno smarrimento.
I want to report a theft, not a loss.
Crucial distinction — theft is a crime; insist on 'denuncia di furto' if stolen.
Posso fare la denuncia online?
Can I file the report online?
Yes — the Polizia di Stato website offers online reports for some categories.
Quanto tempo ci vuole per la denuncia?
How long does the report take?
Usually 20-40 minutes at the station; online version is faster.
In Italy, police reports (denunce) are free of charge. The Polizia di Stato online portal (poliziadistato.it) allows online filing for theft of mobile phones, bicycles and some documents. Always keep a scanned or photographed copy of your important documents in a secure cloud service for exactly this situation.