I called InterIsland ferry service today about our day trip from St. Thomas to Jost Van Dyke April/06. They told me that my birth certificate and drivers license would still work. (Although it sounded as if they preferred a passport) I guess the confusion came about because originally a passport was supposed to be required for going to the BVI starting Jan 2006 but the government postponed it another year.

I think the bigger problem that is avoided is when you return to the u.s. islands, that is where the pass port is a real plus, not so much as when you go to and from the BVI, what I have observed, it is when you are reentering that most folks without a pass port have had the problem.

It will save you a lot of grief if you have a pass port, remember you are on island time. Things do not move as fast nor do we want them to.

A pass port is one of those items in todays times that will make your trip much easier.

RM

Thanks so much-just rechecking the most nerve racking part! 3months and counting! d

If the end of your original question is asking if you need a passport in the USVI in general...then no. It might be helpful when leaving back to the States, but a birth certificate will work just as well. In fact I didn't even have to show mine because I answered all the Custom guy's questions well I guess. 😉