OHMYGOODNESS...HELP

[Marcia (Mrs. Pete)]

I am packing for our trip, pulling all of our paperwork together: confirming flights, taxis, water taxis, villa, car rental, etc...and have just found that my 16 year old daughter's passport has expired (expired in April).

Will an expired passport work (just going to the USVI, no side trips to the BVIs), for my minor child or do I need to do something in the next 24 hours?

If I need to do something, who do I call?

We just checked the safe and we have everyone else's birth certificate but hers. Go figure. So, taking that, with her driver's license is out, as an option.

I can't believe this. I've barely sorted clothes to pack and discover this little gem.

Please help guys.

Marcia (Mrs. Pete)

[sailorgirl]

Maybe you could call the airline and ask them if a driver's license is enough. Does she have a school ID as well

[polly]

No passports are required for travel to US territories - just make sure you don't leave them! My children did not need them when traveling to USVI - they didn't even have to show any identification. That being said- I would still take the retired passport and make sure she has her driver's license or a school picture idea - it just never hurts!

[Tracy in WI]

Hey Marcia -

When we took the kids in June, we had nothing except a printed sheet from my computer indicating that we ordered their passports. No birth certificates - they were with the ordered passports. We had no other id and we were fine. We were asked, but expalined the situation with no problems. Our kids were asked their names and who Juice and I were.

I think you will be totally fine. I would bring the expired passport and any other id you might have. So relax, have a painkiller and a great vacation!

Tracy

[Marcia (Mrs. Pete)]

Okay, a few deep breaths later, I realize this will probably be just fine. We will bring the expired passport (oddly, the picture of her still looks a little like her) and she will have her driver's license. It has to be okay. We have no other choice.

Don't you love these last hours before leaving? Eeeeeeeek.

Now, back to clothes packing. Forget the paperwork. It's all good.

I think.

Marcia (Mrs. Pete)

[Marcia (Mrs. Pete)]

A final update on this whole mess.

The passport agency told me we need a birth certificate and photo ID to get out of the USVI. United told me we needed either the birth certificate and photo ID or, and according to "Nicole" with United, an expired passport will work, too.

So, with some MAJOR scrabling, we are obtaining a birth certificate today.

Note to self and others. Check your documents a little sooner than the day before you intend to leave.

Marcia (Mrs. Pete)

[RickG]

Hey, we are going through a similar exercise in order to get a Virginia Learners Permit. It takes more documentation for a learners permit than for a passport! Now that's goofy.

I guess Virginia got freaked out because most of the 911 hijackers had Virginia Drivers' Licenses.

Cheers, RickG