You do not need a passport to enter the USVI. However, the USVI is a Port of Entry into the US and upon departure you're required to go through Customs and Immigration. The ruling is that you MAY be asked to provide proof of identity and citizenship. Obviously a passport covers both. If you do not have a passport, a government-issued photo ID such a a state driver's license proves identity and a copy of your birth certificate (not a SS card) is required to prove citizenship. Many people sail through without being asked to produce any documentation. However, quite regular unannounced swoops are made and if you don't have the required paperwork you will be pulled out of the line and asked several questions to prove who you are to the satisfaction of the officials.

Have you left it too late to have your passport renewed in expedited mode?

SS card does nothing for identification.
If possible, you should update the passport. It's worth the money and will make the trip less of a potential hassle. That said, I suppose you can use it as a photo ID but being expired it is no longer and 'official' government document so you will need the drivers license and birth certificate as STT Resident mentioned.

Bring your expired Passport if you don't have time/don't want to renew along with Birth Certificate and drivers license (I assume you will have your DL anyway)

Pia

This will be our 4th trip and we've never been asked for anything more than our driver's licenses

IrishRN wrote:
This will be our 4th trip and we've never been asked for anything more than our driver's licenses

See my earlier post on the subject.

The truth is, my family was just in STT for Christmas...my son (age 30) discovered his passport had recently expired...no problem ! No birth certificate was even requested by the customs official, he showed his expired passport and his drivers license. Not one minute of a problem !

The truth is that a thousand people could respond to a thread such as this and say they've traveled back and forth with never a problem. The truth also is that you MAY be asked to produce documentation which you're not carrying. Is it not better to be prepared rather than end your visit being pulled out of the line to answer further questions to prove you are who you say you are?

I cannot tell you that I have re-entered the mainland with anything other than a valid passport. I always keep mine current and I use it for ID whenever I travel by airplane whether within the US or internationally. A VALID PASSPORT IS THE BEST FORM OF ID TO USE WHEN TRAVELLING! period. The only time I have ever been questioned about my citizenship was when my plane ticket had a shortened version of my first name which did not match my passport.

1. To gain entry to the US mainland you must prove citizenship. The official method of that is either a birth certificate with a raised seal PLUS a valid government issued photo ID OR a valid passport. Young children must provide proof of citizenship as well, although they are exempt from having to show a photo I.D
2. Check the government website to get the official requirements. Expect that you may be asked for additional proof of citizenship. I was unable to find the official line for travel to the mainland from the USVI on www.travel.state.gov. I was only able to find info on sites that were not official government websites.
3. Be sure that all your identification and airline ticket has the same name. No shortened first names i.e. Bill vs. William.
4. Don't joke or attempt small talk with the folks trying to do their jobs. TSA, ICE, Customs. I have had only one of these fine people ever crack a smile or make small talk. They are not coming home from two weeks in paradise. This is their daily job.
5. Have the proper ID's and documentation in order when you step up to the ticket counter and have it ready until you get on the plane.
6. An expired passport is not a valid form of ID but it MIGHT help along with other valid forms.

Poster and longtime resident dntw8up recently responded to a similar thread, viz:

https://www.vinow.com/wwwtalk/read.php?4,113336

Despite all arguments to the contrary, I and others err on the side of caution in advising visitors who pose such questions. We've no axe to grind, we just know what the ins and outs are and would rather you not be surprised by one of the ICE "swoops". Please don't knock or argue with the messengers who simply are trying to tell you what IS.

Even toesinthesand has it wrong when saying that, " To gain entry to the US mainland (from the USVI) you must prove citizenship." The key is that you MAY be asked to prove citizenship.

I confess that I've always found it rather odd that the majority of US citizens are, per capita, historically renown as being in the very low percentile of citizens of other countries who hold passports. How hard is it and what's all the fuss and muss about? The process to obtain a passport is easy and relatively inexpensive and, especially nowadays, provides benefits not only where travel is concerned but even something as simple as picking up a Western Union money transfer from overseas.

I just got back from STT yesterday and we were asked for our birth ceritficate or passport. We did bring passport and my proof of citizenship and that was sufficient enough, for all that I know MOST of the people that were in line with us got asked and thankfully most of them have their passport. I suggest if you have expired passport to either expedited to renew or bring your birth certificate.

We were there in March and they asked for our passports at customs. I guess, though, if they wouldn't have left us leave, we would not be so sad. :D:)