To think this isn't illegal?

[Stormzy]

A passport got delivered through my letterbox today. I opened the envelope, because it's only me and my toddler that live here, I wasn't really thinking and we've never had post be delivered that wasn't for us. So I'm pretty sure this bit is definitely not illegal as I had no malicious intention.

Anyway, I saw it was a passport, and felt like I recognised the young boy's name in it. Searched him on Facebook, he's friends with my little cousin. I messaged her to message him to tell him and he came round absolutely chuffed saying I had saved his holiday and he was going away in a few days and if I had sent it back he would have missed it.

I was pretty pleased with myself. But I told my friend (we text pretty much all day so wasn't boasting or anything, just a relatively unusual thing to happen so I shared), and she said I could get into big trouble for this and it was illegal.

Is this true? The boy was 15 and goes to school with my cousin so I knew he was unlikely to be committing fraud or an illegal immigrant or anything like that. Surely I won't get in trouble!

[19lottie82]

I’m confused. What does your friend think is illegal?

[Stormzy]

I’m confused. What does your friend think is illegal?

Not sending a passport back if it's delivered to the wrong address.

Even though I gave it to the intended recipient

[laketaupo]

No but I'd be saying wow what are the chances !

[RNBrie]

According to the Postal Services Act 2000, it is illegal to open mail that is not addressed to you.

I think as you did it by accident, you'd be fine!

[kali110]

Why was it delivered to you??

[Abra1d]

Using someone address as yours? And he is an immigrant, I am inferring from your post where you said he wasn’t likely to be ‘illegal’.

This sounds weird to me/

[AlexanderHamilton]

My children's passports were delivered to the wrong address by a courier. I was very grateful that the person who took delivery brought them round to me.

[Snap8TheCat]

Passports have to be signed for not just popped through the letterbox.

[NachoAddict]

Isn't it only illegal to open post if it is done with intent to deprive the recipient of it?
He was very lucky you recognised him and sorted it.

[NachoAddict]

Snap I have never had to sign for a passport and between us we have had 9 over the years.

[Stormzy]

Using someone address as yours? And he is an immigrant, I am inferring from your post where you said he wasn’t likely to be ‘illegal’.

This sounds weird to me/

No, I meant it was unlikely that he was using my address to illegally claim British residency, which I doubt is even possible, because he's 15 and goes to my cousins school and has done since year 7 🤷🏽‍♀️

[AlexanderHamilton]

That's not correct snap. They are not delivered through the normal post, they are delivered by courier service but they are not signed for.

I put in a formal complaint.

[sausagepastapot]

Snap mine was delivered last week not signed for.

I wouldn't give it a second thought.

[Stormzy]

He lives a few doors down from me according to my cousin, that's the first thing she said when I asked if she knew him. So I guess not that weird, just read a number wrong I suppose?

[HamSandWitches]

I had to sign for all 3 of mine, maybe it's a fake one and he's going nightclubbing not on holiday

[Thesmallthings]

SNAP .No they don't. Mine came through the post.

[Stormzy]

I had to sign for all 3 of mine, maybe it's a fake one and he's going nightclubbing not on holiday

Well if wouldn't be very useful as it says he was born in 2002

I just applied for my DD's yesterday and it says we will either need it signed for or will post through your letterbox.

[MyDcAreMarvel]

It depends on your postcode if your passport arrives by courier or post. Safer areas are mailed.

[MyDcAreMarvel]

If mailed then theyneeds tone signed for.

[treaclesoda]

I've never had to sign for a passport, ours just came in the post.

[LaurieFairyCake]

Mine was mailed through normal post a month ago (London).

[CoughLaughFart]

What incentive is there for the police to pursue this? ‘Woman gives passport to boy it belongs to’ - not exactly up there with the Great Train Robbery.

[LurkingHusband]

Passports have to be signed for not just popped through the letterbox

Nope. Ours were just on the doormat when we got back from shopping a few months ago.

[KinkyAfro]

Nope never had to sign for the 3 we received this week, straight thru the letterbox

[GracielaSabrocita]

It would be less danger and effort for them than chasing real criminals.