Or does it mean that a birth certificate is acceptable?

From what I understand, for air travel, yes, you do need one. By sea travel, no. As of Jan. 2008, you'll need a passport for both.

Go here:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

and read the big bolded paragraph.

Yes, I understand now that you do need a passport. That website makes it clear. I was just confused because it used to say on this website (i think) that you did not need a passport. Thanks for your help!

Blue step away from the wall.
You don't need one if you are flying to the usvi all you need then is a birth cer. and photo I'd usvi's are part of the us

Waterguy,
I gave up. I feel like I'm being Punk'd or something.... My poor walls. And head.

Elizabeth:

You do NOT need a passport to go to the United States Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Marshall Islands, period! These are U.S. Territories.

You DO need a passport to go to other Caribbean Islands by air. By boat you only need an official birth certificate (raiised seal) and a government issued photo I.D. until January 1, 2008 (for the Caribbean). After that time you will need a passport.

F.I.

Nooooooooooo............. please not again..........I can't take it any more 🙂

Pia

LOL...this is so confusing to alot of people.

I think the confusion comes from the USVI'S and the BVI'S being so close together.

Therefore:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

You DO NOT need a passport if you are going to St. Thomas, St. John, or St. Croix...because they are US territories.

BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alot of people take day trips to either Jost Van Dyke, or Tortola, which are British Virgin Island. THAT'S WHEN YOU NEED ONE.

That's all...easy.

Connie:

Sorry.......but you do not need a passport until January 2008 if you are taking the ferry from STT to the BVIs. I called both Smith's and Native Son's Ferries yesterday (for one of my friends). That is the answer that they gave me.

F.I.

Future...there's so much confusion with this. I wouldn't take the chance.

Currently you do NOT need a passport to visit the BVI's IF you arrive by water (read Bluwaters trip report of last month she goes into all the details 🙂 ) but it makes it alot easier and there are a few ferry companies that are refusing to take people unless they do have a passport and not waiting for the enforcement date, so do check with your tour "ferry"

Pia

Is this an attempt to create more sales in the sheetrock/mudding/tape industry? I don't think there is anymore room for holes in the walls on this board 🙂 Is it possible that sales in sheetrock reconstruction has hit an all time low?!

Every travel website that I've looked at recently has the stamp,"No Passport Required" for USVI. But it seems that the word is not getting out. I was just on yahoo answers, and someone asked the passport question. And a whole slew of people answered that you absolutely need a passport to come here. And I've spoken to family members from home that had no idea that they could still travel here without one. I don't nessessarily think tourism was effected that much this year,(from a bartenders perspectiive, anyhow) but it seems that people just aren't hearing it. My parents and I talked about it, and they, in the northeast, have seen only one commercial. Any thoughts, anyone??

All people have to do is read the State Dept's paragraph to see the law. Elizabeth copied it in her original post. People just aren't willing to take 2 minutes to look it up and 1 minute to read it. BTW, Interisland Boat Service (the public ferry) said birth certificates work fine with them.

The confusing thing to me was that it says "Caribbean". I know that the VI is a US territory, but since it said that I wasn't sure. I'm sorry for frustrating you guys! 🙂

Last May my wife and I caught a connector flight from St. John in Puerto Rico. We were asked for passports and did not have any. The agent looked ticked off, said we needed them, but then just asked for our places of birth and then let us through. Haha! Oh well, we're getting passports this time around (we're going back to St. John in November) just to avoid any confusion.

U know...I really don't ever know if theses passports are needed or not but we have ours and are bringing them in case...I will share my funny story though..

I traveled to STJ 3 years ago as a nanny with a big time family, I asked the mom close to one million times if I needed my passport and she assured me "NO" ..then at 4 am in the freezing threnchs of a Cleveland blizzard we loaded into the limo to the airport for our trip...as we were driving "the mom" did a check ...ID's check...money check..passports??? UHHH no..you said no. She flipped out on me! Thank God my boyfriend was at my apartment so I called him to bring it to airport ASAP..he made it...and nobody ever checked it leaving to VI...I wanted to smack "the mom". HOWEVER I DID NEED IT TO ENTER BACK TO THE STATES..seriously I was told by customs I had to have it..and he checked it...thats the honest truth..from 3 years ago, so ours are going with us..regaurdless. Oh and we were in the VI's for more than a month so it could have been mailed! My b/f didnt have to try to kill himself on icy raods...but thats life!
Just thought I would share!

I don't check the site for a week, and what is the first thread I see????? Since I can't deal with the drywall repair, I'm just going to develop the "Passport Drinking Game"! A more enjoyable way to get a headache. 🙂

Elizabeth, do yourself a favor, just get a passport anyway! And have a wonderful trip.