According to all my info, a birth certificate and driver's license will work. But I ask you (not snidely), why don't you get passports? Easier for other travel, not that spendy, and last for ten years.

The law is changing for the USVI and passports will be required soon when traveling between the mainland and USVI--it was supposed to be Jan. 2, 2006, but it has been pushed back a year due to confusion I think. Also, isn't Jost NOT part of USVI (meaning that passport would be necessary)?

Jost van Dyke is part of the BVI, as are Tortola, Peter Island, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and the other small islands in the vicinity. STT, STJ, and STX are US territory (USVI).

just to let ya know, according to the travel website from the government.

Last I heard, eventhough the US has delayed by a year the requirement to show a passport for travel between the USVI and the states, the BVI has not delayed their new (01-01-06) passport requirement for travel between the USVI and the BVI...

The simple solution is to get a passport, then you don't have to worry about these things. A passport makes travel simpler, particularly in this post-9/11 world.

I agree with Nick. just get a passport. don't worry, be happy

Many thanks to all. THis helps. We plan on getting passports but were waiting until we moved to the island and got settled. Half way there...we're here. Now it's the settling in and applying part. All good fun!!!

for more info on req's. please see:

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1079.html

Here is the section regarding travel to and from the USA to the USVI according to the state departments website. Hopefully, this helps!

Will this requirement apply to travel between the United States and Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands?
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will not affect travel between the United States and its territories. U.S. citizens traveling between the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa will continue to be able to use established forms of identification to board flights and for entry.

If traveling outside the United States or a U.S. territory, a passport or other secure document will be required. For example, a person may travel to and from the United States to the U.S. Virgin islands without a passport or other secure document, but under proposed regulations, a passport or other secure document would be required to re-enter the U.S. Virgin Islands from the British Virgin Islands or another country as of December 31, 2006.

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I read that too... doesn't that say you don't need a BC. Only a driver's license?

Hello Montana John,

For US citizens traveling between the US mainland and the USVI it says established forms of id, and those are...

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.

As for entering the BVI... the folks at BVI customs/immigration have their requirements for US citizens when you are entering their waters/land (bc + id or passport) and then the US has requirements for when you return to US waters/land (bc + id or passport until December 31, 2006 at which time it will be passport required as per the new Travel Initiative).

The FAQ for the Travel Initiative can be found at http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2225.html.

--Islander