Is it illegal to open someone's mail to your address?

Answer 1

Technically yes... unless you have permission.

In the absense of an explicit intention to the contrary, it's reasonable for a person to assume this permission with regards to mail addressed to their spouse. Also, parents can open mail addressed to their minor children in their capacity as legal guardians and proxies of the children. Other people may, in certain circumstances, be considered to have tacit permission.

Generally speaking, you probably KNOW if one of the exceptions applies in any given case; if there's any doubt in your mind, you should either avoid opening it or contact a lawyer first to make sure you're legally in the clear to do so.

Answer 2

Yes, it is illegal to open someone's mail that is addressed to your address. This is considered mail theft and is a federal offense punishable by fines and/or imprisonment. It is important to respect other people's privacy and not tamper with their mail.

Answer 3

Yes, it is illegal to open someone else’s mail unless you have been given the authority to do so. The addressee is the deciding factor on the envelope, not the address. If that person doesn’t live at your address then it should be returned to the post office.

A federal statute makes it illegal to open correspondence addressed to someone else. However, the law cannot be applied if you did not recognize that the mail was not yours when you opened it. For example, if you received a neighbor’s mail mixed in with yours and opened it automatically.

Spouses may give tacit approval to each other to open each other’s mail but that isn’t a universal legal rule. Children should be given the courtesy of opening their own mail unless the parent believes it may contain something harmful. Mail is private and privileged and protected by law.