Q: Is it illegal to open your child’s mail that’s addressed to your house if they’re 18?
My parents will not give me mail or will go though it without asking me first, I’m 18 and I’ve heard that it’s illegal but I want to make sure.
A:
In the state of Oklahoma you are considered an adult with some exceptions when you turn 18. The Federal Government has stated it is not legal to open another 'adult' persons mail without their explicit consent (such as in a wife opening a husbands or vice versa, a secretary opening the mail addressed to her boss, neighbor under your direction while your on vacation, etc...) - - caveat is so long as the adult is not physically or mentally impaired and requires a caregiver/guardian, because that could give them permission at that point.
If the mail is addressed to you, then no one has permission to open it unless you allow it. - Be careful with pushing this into a legal field, because your parents could face a federal felony charge that could result in a fine or prison sentence up to 5 years.
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