You really do want to at least have your birth certificate along for Customs & Immigration on your return. Have you tried contacting the County Clerk's office in the county where you were born? They should be able to send you an official stamped copy of your birth certificate with no difficulty.

Yeah I have called them and it takes 4-6 weeks, I do not live in the same state I was born in, so I do not have it - any other suggestions? The people that we rented our villa from told us it wasn't mandatory?

Will a driver's license and a copy of our marriage license work?

This is from the official internet site of the United States Virgin Islands Immigration and Naturalization Service ( http://www.usvi.net/us-ins/html/2travel_back_....html)

Due to the location of the territory, the United States Virgin Islands has a pre-clearance inspection process for all flights from the territory to destinations in Puerto Rico or the Continental United States.  This process requires all passengers to present proof of citizenship to immigration to the satisfaction of the inspecting officer.

Proof of citizenship is accomplished by presenting one of the following:
A passport issued under competent authority
An Alien Registration Card (green card).
(United States of America permanent residents only.)
A certified copy of a birth certificate with government issued photo identification. (Canadian and United States citizens only.)
Certificate of Naturalization, issued by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service.

call the dept of heath ,vital records office for the state you were born in,they should be able to take a credit card number and overnite the birth certificates

We went to St John in June of this year, and I carried all of our birth certificates for our family. At customs, they only asked for a photo ID. My 15 year old daughter forgot to bring her photo ID. I had her birth certificate, and the custom agent didn't even ask to look at it, he just asked her if we were her parents. I didn't see the other agents ask for birth certificate either. I know must every place states to have one with you, along with your photo ID. Just seems like a photo ID is good enough. You could always pretend you have it and offer to get it out of some hard to reach place in your luggage. The agent may then just say, never mind, photo ID is good enough. Good Luck!

Kelly:

Listen to Regan.

Do whatever it takes to get your birth certificates.

F.I.

There are many services available that offer expedited passports and even birth certificates. You'll pay a fee for these but I would not recommend traveling without proof of citzenship.
You may luck out as Donna did and not be asked for more than a photo id or you may not. Do you really want to take that chance? All it will take is for the terror threat level to be raised and you could well be stuck. Not how I want to end my vacation. It's just common sense IMO to bring the necessary documents with you.
Mermaid

One more thing...when you get to the USVI, you may look across at Tortola or Jost and wish to take a day trip to sample another island. You have to go through BVI Customs and Immigration, and will need your proof of citizenship.

Also think of other id you have:
Military id's worked as a back up our drivers license. Social Security cards that match your health cards along with drivers license. But try to get that birth certificate expedited to you quickly!

Get the correct documentation. To buy you some time you won't need anything on your way to the Islands. If necessary have a friend receive your birth certificate back home and FedEx it to you in St Johns.

Once you have your birth certificate use it to get a pasport for your next trip.

You must have a certified copy of your birth certificate to get a passport.

Jim

They are working on even checking IDs going from STJ and STT in the near future.
The days of running to the boat as it embarks are over.

Try to have more than your driver's license although that may be all that is requested to go thru customs on the way home. The problem is that it may not be enough if security rules change or if the threat level is raised while you're in the VI. Try to get an expedited birth certificate or failing that take some other ID - voter registration, Social Security card, employer ID, just something in addition to the driver's license.

Even if you are unsuccessful in getting a birth certificate and passport for this trip be sure to pursue them when you get home so that on your next visit to the VI you won't have to worry about it.

We are going to St. Thomas with our 3 children ages 6,8,11. We have their birth certificates but since they are children they do not have a government issued photo I.D. What do we need to bring for them?

Lisa,
In the case of minors traveling with parents, all you absolutely have to have are their birth certificates.
I would get them passports for my own peace of mind and ease of travel but that's me. Legally all you need for your own children traveling with you at the current time are birth certificates.
Mermaid

We took passports when we went in June, and STT checked all four, including both kids(7&10) on our way back. If you do enough (really any) traveling, it is best to have a passport.

kelly and lisa-

as many others responded, passports are the best form of id to travel with, even for kids. for kids, birth certificates are more the sufficient. i work at the airport in stx, and i know that they only really ask for your driver's license. if you have passports, it expedites the customs process because they can track you better and know more about you. but, if you only have a license, that will work to. just be prepared to be asked a few more questions if you only have a license to travel with. other then that, it's no big deal if you only have a license in the vi. then again.... i always travel with my passport. it's just easier and quicker in the long run. enjoy your trip.

-adam
stx resident

I am traveling to stt from the US and must catch a connecting filght in San Juan -- do I need a passport to get thru there, or will a birth certificate and photo id work?

We have traveled thru San Juan to get to St. Croix and never needed more than a drivers license. I don't see why St. Thomas would be any different. Although with the proximity of the US Virgin Islands to the British Virgin Islands it might be a good idea to have a passport to get back to the states. Especially with the world being the way it is now.
Good luck and have a great trip.