USVI-On-Line

My husband and I already have passports that we'll be bringing with us on our trip to St. John in June, but what sort of ID will our 23-month-old require? We have an official birth certificate that we bring with us when we fly within the U.S. (although so far no one's asked to look at it). Does he need something with a photo? Just checking...

Thanks,
Rebecca in No. VA

Inside the US, minors do not need any ID as long as they travel with an adult. A birth certificate is a good idea for the USVIs.

Cheers, RickG

Ditto what RickG says. Our daughter has a passport (she's 5) for a trip to London a few years ago but our son just traveled with the birth cert. I think the only person who checked that was the airline to confirm he was under 2.

I could be totally wrong, but I was under the impression ALL US citizens traveling to the Caribbean and Canada now need to have a passport. We just got them for our little ones (1 and 3). They are only good for 5 years which kind of stinks because you pay the same price for them as you do for an adult. It's kind of funny seeing an infant's picture on a passport but better safe than sorry!

I'd get her a passport. Ute pports expire in 5 years but it's worth the peace of mind to know that you won't get hassled.

Thanks for the feedback! I found this Dept. of Homeland Security site which says you don't need passports for US territories including the USVIs, PR, etc.: http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/index.shtm .

One less thing to worry about! But we will bring the birth cert. just in case.

Thanks,
Rebecca in No. VA

The passport/no passport question for everyone and the id/no id question for minors are extremely confusing. Add in the fact that the INS folks at the airport will insist on documentation that is not required creates a real perception problem for the USVIs.

Bottom line, if you don't leave the USA then you do not need anything more than what is required for air travel in the US. That is government photo id for adults and no documents required for minors. If you leave the USA, you need a passport.

But, our friends at DHS have gotten the REAL ID law passed. This is a law mandating a National ID card. Six states have refused to comply with the unfunded mandate. As of now, residents of those states will not be able to use their drivers license as id for air travel starting in 2013. I expect some kind of compromise will be made.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/200 ... ards_N.htm

Interesting note: In Virginia, where the majority of the 9/11 hijackers got their id illegally, getting a learner's permit or new drivers's license requires four forms of id. For my daughter's learner's permit we had to provide a passport, original social security card, certified copy of birth certificate, and a bank statement with her name, address, and social security number on it. This is tougher than getting a passport!!

"The silicon chip inside her head gets switched to overload." Soon come.

Cheers, RickG