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Do I need a passport?
Proof of citizenship when entering the U.S. Virgin Islands from a U.S. airport is not required. Proof of citizenship is however required when leaving the U.S. Virgin Islands to return to the US mainland.
Accepted documents for Proof of Citizenship for Americans: 1. A passport issued under competent authority, 2. An Alien Registration Card (this applies to United States of America permanent residents only) 3. A certified copy of a birth certificate and government issued photo identification like a driver's license 4. A Certificate of Naturalization, issued by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service.
--Islander
keep in mind if you plan on going from st. thomas, st. john or st. croix to any of the bvi's you won't get in.
Lets not start this thread again chrisss, your statement is a little misleading. Any of the documents Islander mentioned are valid for BOAT arrival to the BVI but only a passport is accepted for PLANE arrival to the BVI.
-Josh
Lion....i just want to get this clear because our newphew is going with us this time and we intend to take a boat to the BVI's on day....he doesn't need a passport??? Just an original copy of his birth certificate with raised seal will do?
I don't want him going through the hassle and expense of getting a passport, if he'll be on with just that?
Connie: How old is your nephew?
stt, he's 30 and this is the first time out of the US. Maybe not his last.
Connie,
I know Josh and have been on his boat to the BVI's. Send him a pm or go to the web page for there boat and send them an email or call the contact number. They run that trip almost daily in the season and will have very accurate information for you as they deal with BVI's customs as a matter of business.
Jay
Do you have to show both, a drivers liscense and birth certificate? Or can you just use your drivers liscense?
Why not go and get the passport? You'll soon need it just about everywhere, it seems, and I have found in my travels that it's easier traveling with a passport, it seems like the people at the airport take you a little more seriously.
so sorry, that is what happens when I type too fast and don't pay attention to what I am doing, thanks for catching me.
A drivers license alone won't cut it because it doesn't show you are a citizen. The Birth certificate shows where you were born and the drivers license confirms you are the person on the birth certificate. Get a Passport.
I just wanted to let you know that in January 06 we traveled from STT over to BVI by boat ferry. My husband and two other guests had no problem at all (both guests had their passports and my husband had his original birth certificate which was very tiny and old). I, on the other hand had a copy of my birth certificate that only had the raised notorized seal and they gave me the hardest time getting over there and coming back. Because of that situation, we immediately got our passports upon returning home. We are going back to STT the first week in March and I'm not sweating this one again! Good luck!
Camille, good point. The rules have changed drastically since January 2006 and charter boat owners have for quite a long time now (two years at least) been requiring that their passengers have passports in order to travel between the USVI and the BVI. If while on vacation in the US Virgin Islands you plan on hopping over to the BVI either via ferry or tour charter, get a passport now and save yourself unnecessary aggravation. Cheers!
This regulation has changed more times than Beyonce in concert. http://www.travel.state.gov has the most up to date info, but they really are making this up as they go along. No one's lying, they are just trying to pass along info that was released by our government, but may be no longer valid. I am in the hospitality industry, and I am dizzy myself. We have annually - printed marketing materials which have never been "correct" since this whole shindig started. We keep trying, though.
In the United States including St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix, Water Island, Puerto Rico: no passport required but original certified birth certificate with raised stamp along with government issued picture ID will verify both your citizenship (place born) and residency (place living). To avoid too much confusion with the many types of licenses and such out there (and delays too!), the passport is the way to go.
The deadline has been moved out yet AGAIN. I'm so tired of it., I am just telling folks to get the blasted things and be done with it. There are a couple of airlines and ferry companies that may require it, to be on the safe side, so ASK about boarding requirements before you go!
Look at what is on Care Free Getaways of St. John website. I QUOTE:
**Please note NEW Customs and Immigration Rules! When returning from the Caribbean, ALL U.S. citizens must travel with a valid U.S. Passport as of January 1, 2008 to re-enter the U.S.
Does this apply to children? (under 10)
Go here it will anwser all your questions
http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
If you don't leave the usvi you don't need a passport just a birth certifacte
