US Virgin Islands Passport and Travel Document Requirements

[RickG]

Gang, I wrote this in response to some friends who were agonizing over the conflicting information they were receiving regarding all the permutations of id needed to travel back from the USVIs: passport/passport card/certified birth certificate/birth certificate copy/no birth certificate/picture id/no picture id/etc. Here's the research and footnotes that I came up with:

With the June 1, 2009 deadline passed for compliance with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, the US Customs and Border Protection now has consistent travel document requirements for all modes of transportation between the US mainland and the Virgin Islands. What are the definitive document requirements for US Citizens?

• - Passports or passport cards are preferred, but not required, for direct travel between the US Virgin Islands and the US mainland.
  
  - Travelers 19 and older require state issued photo identification and a copy of a birth certificate (raised seals are not required).
  
  - Travelers 18 and younger require only a copy of a birth certificate (raised seals are not required).
  
  - Infants who have not yet received birth certificates can use hospital provided documentation of birth that names both parents. The named parents must travel with the infant.
  
  - Travelers without proof of citizenship are subject to additional questioning and secondary screening that could delay travel.
  
  - Passports or passport cards are required for US Citizens who have landed on foreign soil.

References:

• 1. US State Department
  http://www.dhs.gov/xprevprot/programs/g ... 79776.shtm
  
  "U.S. territories are considered a part of the United States. U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the country and do not need to present a passport."
  
  2. Customs & Border Protection - FAQ on WHTI Requirements
  http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacat ... i_faqs.xml
  
  "Although U.S. citizens are not required to present a passport upon departure from the U.S. territories, travelers are encouraged to travel with a passport or other proof of citizenship, as they will be asked questions about citizenship and any goods they will be bringing to the U.S. mainland upon their departure from U.S. territories."
  
  "The new passport requirement does not apply to U.S. citizens or LPR’s who fish offshore, so long as they do not land in foreign soil."
  
  3. Customs & Border Protection - National Customer Service - 1-877-CBP-5511
  http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts ... ervice.xml
  
  Press 4 for current travel document requirements, press 0 to speak to a customer service representative. Information verified June 5, 2009.
  
  - Passports or passport cards are preferred, but not required, for direct travel between the US Virgin Islands and the US mainland.
  
  - Travelers 19 and older require state issued photo identification and a copy of a birth certificate (raised seals are not required).
  
  - Travelers 18 and younger require only a copy of a birth certificate (raised seals are not required).
  
  - Infants who have not yet received birth certificates can use hospital provided documentation of birth that names both parents. The named parents must travel with the infant.
  
  4. Customs & Border Protection St. Thomas - Cyril E. King Airport - (340) 774-4554
  http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/cont ... i/5101.xml
  
  Call and talk to the on-ground experts if you want verify the travel document requirements. These are the actual people that will check your id, question you and possibly perform a secondary inspection.
  
  5. Customs & Border Protection St. Croix - Henry E. Rohlsen Airport - (340) 773-1490
  http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts ... i/5104.xml
  
  Call and talk to the on-ground experts if you want verify the travel document requirements. These are the actual people that will check your id, question you and possibly perform a secondary inspection.

Cheers, RickG

[flip-flop]

Good info Rick.

I simplified and got everyone a passport. A gate agent (of course erroneously) told us last year as we were leaving DC to go to STT that my then 19 month old needed a passport and that "they've been deporting a lot of people lately" - I did have his original birth certificate with me.

I knew the law and knew we would be fine but a lesser woman would have probably been convinced the gate agent was correct and freaked out.

It was my intention all along to get the belly flop his own passport I was just buying time to try to sync the 5 year cycle with his sis.

PITA! Of the first order.

[RickG]

Well, the pain does not end. I'm renewing passports for my kids and the renewal requirement for someone under the age of 16 are killer! Both parents have to accompany the minor to the passport office - its essentially the same process as for a new passport. My 17 year old gets her own renewal requirements and I get a third. Three separate renewal processes with three separate proof of citizenship requirements? Pain.

http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/ge ... s_834.html

Cheers, RickG

[sinawitatanka]

In the New Jersey airport on the way to STJ, the gate agent announces "we are ready to board for St. Thomas! Please come to the gate with your boarding pass and passport out". 50 wild eyed people swamped the counter to tell her about her mistake.

[mcnmle]

Thanks for setting the record straight.

[samoka]

Thanks Rick - it looks like we may be traveling with a newborn next winter and I was wondering what the protocol would be - do you know what the rules would be for a infant traveling to JVD - samoka