Hi Kevin,

Assuming you are traveling to the USVI (St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix, Water Island) or Puerto Rico, you do not need a passport.

yes, I know in statute I do not NEED a passport, but there are messages on here about airlines requiring them even though they are not required by the government... so even though I know WHTI doesn't apply, what if the airline sticks to their guns about it?

Also, I plan on traveling with a full text copy of the final rule WHTI law that specifically shows that I don't need a passport.

Please let me know your itinerary and any identifying marks or outfits so that I can avoid being in any line behind you. Aside from the "law" most airlines do have policies and procedures that on mulitple occassions leave passengers anticipating wonderful vacations standing at the counter arguing to no avail. Why someone would even want to chance screwing up vacation time and wasting time AND money (for a vacation the airline won't get you to) is beyond me. It is beyond my comprehension that flyers don't know the simpliest things (eg. security, taking shoes off, having travel documents ready when necessary) that inconvience themselves and others and would much rather risk a fight and not boarding than getting a passport. The FIRST thing we did after booking a March vacation in Nov was apply for a passport for the new baby ... and the agent anticipated growing delays as people became aware. Why not try to make your life less complicated and not argue with airline personnel (who is merely doing his/her job) about what you can and cannot do while everyone else stands in line behind you?

I didn't get a passport because I didn't have time. I booked the flight a little over two months ago and was told I would need a birth certificate, which I promptly ordered, since I was adopted it took about 7 weeks (and im in a different state) so I just go the birth certificate.

I don't need to be lashed for not getting a passport, I will certainly have one for next year, I just need to know what will happen if they decide not to let me on the plane on the way back. I've talked to multiple people from the airline. half say i don't need a passport, the other half say I do.

Kevin,

My parents just came back from St. Thomas two weeks ago and it was the first time they were actually asked for their passport. You need to talk to officials who would know more about the passport, because I personally would not go if I know I'm not able to get back on the plane. But if you do go, bring your birth certificate, and see what they say.

And ignore CShell.

I don't think getting there would be a problem, since the new rules don't start until january 23rd... but getting back is what has me alittle worried. This is really causing me to lose a lot of sleep and everyone at my airline has a different answer.

Here is where you can ask them a passport question. This would be a good idea to do.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/about/npic/npic_895.html

Why don't you go get a passport in the mean time? Here's information.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

And how to get your passport in a hurry, even though it won't be here by this weekend.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_831.html

National Passport Hotline ---- CALL IT
1-877-4USA-PPT

Good luck. We can't live in regret, but hopefully it works out for you. Don't waste any time, call that number.

Hi Kevin,

I live on STT and I travel off island frequently. I do have a passport (which I obtained long before I moved to STT) and even though you do not, I truly doubt you will have any problem.

You will clear customs at the STT airport when you return home, and I am certain that the US customs are very well-versed in the new rules and regulations. In fact, I would be stunned to hear if you had any problems.

It is now time for you to relax, get some sleep, finish packing and look forward to your vacation.

Have a great trip :)!

If you bring your birth certificate, it can't be a copy you made at Kinko's..I believe it has to be a copy with the seal on it.

Have fun on your trip! Which airline are you referring to? We flew American and never had issues. In fact, when leaving STT, customs didn't even want to see my birth certificate, only my driver's license. In any case, don't lose sleep, just have an amazing time! 🙂

Kevin, the only way you'd have any problems would be due to ignorance on the part of somone at the airport.

To be completely safe, I'd go to: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

and print off and take with you the section about passport requirements, including this part:

The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport. U.S. territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

(And ignore the rudeness of one of the previous posters...when it comes to being rude, some need to remove the log from their own eyes before trying to remove the speck from yours! :))

Sorry if I sounded a bit too harsh but this just tweeked one of my pet peeves not at the travelers but those who make traveling so needlessly complicated. I only hope the best for Kevin and his trip and, of course, he has unique circumstances. I think that the USVI "no passport" ads are a bit misleading since it's the airlines who won't let you board stateside unless you have the "necessary" to get back and they are misinformed about the requirements. Assume that you'll still need that photo id along with a certified copy of the original bc ...
Have a great trip ...

Kevin, whatever you do, do not go on a day trip to the BVI while you are there. So, no Jost for you!

If you feel like your are being "lashed", it is because this question (in various forms) has been asked ad nauseum. No one hear knows more than the government or airlines (except for, maybe, Islander).

Have a great trip!

So Kevin, how did you make out?