ID for Kids

[Chickadee]

I know we don't need passports going to and from the USVIs, but are there any ID requirements for minors traveling with their parents?

We took 3 trips with our kids in the past year and going through customs in STT is the only place the agent said "Well, how do I know they're your kids?" to which I replied "You could ask them" and she let it go. If she hadn't let it go I don't know what I would have done!

I understand the concern and will probably take birth certificates in the future, but what is actually required?

[PA Girl]

I don't know the requirements but in 2009, we were given a really hard time about our son who did have a passport. It was very odd and ever since, I would not be comfortable using anything less than a passport.

[toes in the sand]

When my daughter was younger we carried her birth certificate and a photo ID issued by the CYC (catholic youth council) which is a youth sports group. We never had to produce any documents for her though. Now I have seen where the Missouri state drivers license offices will issue a photo ID for children.

[2muchsnow]

I know passport certainly makes coming back though the STT airport quicker.

[JerseyDad]

It's easier to travel with passports and not a bad thing to get for future trips with the kids as well. Never know when the opportunity may arise to go somewhere and it's good to be ready. Also all the travel sites and USVI sites say it's easier to travel with passports in general at STT.

[djmom]

This makes me laugh remembering one time when we went through customs and my daughter was around 5. The agent asked her what my name was and she said "Mommy". He didn't think it was funny and we kindof sweated it a bit because she didn't know my real name!

[chicagoans]

Because STT is a US Territory, for now it looks like the official rule is still that you don't need a passport:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

But it says the requirement is a 'valid photo ID' (no photo on a birth cert), and what if you get a difficult customs agent?

If you bring a birth certificate make sure it's an original with a raised seal. But the reality is that it's easier with a passport. And if you decide to do a trip to Jost or anywhere else in the BVI, you'll need a passport anyway. I think you should get passports for everyone and give yourself one less thing to worry about.

[Marcia (Mrs. Pete)]

Throwing in my 2 cents worth:

If you have time, go ahead and get passports for your children. One, it's easier on travel days for all of you (even if you are traveling within the continental US) and two, when they expire, the turn around is FAST. Rather than starting from scratch, the children have old, expired passports which only need renewal.

We got passports for our four children when they were wee ones and honestly, it's one of those things that we have appreciated over and over again.

[BeAsUR]

We have passports for our minor kids and use them whenever we travel anywhere- even within the USA. Going to and from Texas to STT we never had any problems while using passports....

[JJShaw]

Not to highjack this thread but, have any of you traveled with kids from a previous marriage? I am remarried and my kids of course have my ex's last name. Did you have any problems at the airport? I have passports for them and even got him to sign a letter saying he knew I was taking them. Just curious if any one else had dealt with this?

[Marcia (Mrs. Pete)]

Not to highjack this thread but, have any of you traveled with kids from a previous marriage? I am remarried and my kids of course have my ex's last name. Did you have any problems at the airport? I have passports for them and even got him to sign a letter saying he knew I was taking them. Just curious if any one else had dealt with this?

Yes!! Pete and I have two children each, from previous marriages. So, in order to travel efficiently, even within the continental US, we get notarized authorization, from our ex-es, to travel to XYZ from date (_____) to date (_____). We've been doing this for 11 years. Now, three of our four children are "adults" (18 or over), but we still do it for the "little one" who is 15.

[XOXO]

If you don't have time to wait for a passport, you could go to your county license department and get a photo ID. We have never had problems.

xoxo

[stjohnjulie]

My son and I have different last names (always have) and I haven't had any trouble traveling with him. It probably helps that we look a lot alike. Recently traveled with my son and husband and had a little trouble. My husband is West Indian, and Rasta with dreadlocks down to his butt. I guess we didn't fit the bill of a family to a couple of airline employees. They could tell my son an I "went" together, but couldn't figure out who the black dude with the long dreads carrying all the junk was. Oh, and I'm pregnant...so they just didn't know what to think of what they saw in front of them.

ANYHOW.... passports make things easier. Plus, the kids really dig having them. I recommend getting them for all the family, even little babies. I also carry my son's immunization card around with me. I only had to show that once, with his birth certificate, before he had a passport.

[FinsUp]

Congrats St John Julie- how exciting to be expecting a new little one

We have passports for our boys, makes it very easy when leaving STT. Turnaround time for passports these days is pretty fast.

[stjohnjulie]

Thanks FinsUp

Getting the passport is pretty easy, even on St. John!! It just makes things so much easier and it doesn't cost that much. For kids, they only last 4 years, but still, it's pretty cheap.