Do I need a passport to go back to the mainland?

Celeste: Once you are here you might want to island hop, so definitely get a passport. Whether it is required in the USVI or not, it will be required to go to the BVI, St Martin, etc. There is an office in Nisky Center; the passports are issued out of Miami.

Hello Celeste,

You can use your birth certificate and driver's to travel from the USVI to the mainland US (or a US passport, or certificate of naturalization or for legal residents an alien registration card).

(Information applies to American citizens.)

--Islander

I believe after Dec. 31st of this year all US citizens will be required to have a passport even for caribbean travel.

travelwoman: after December 31st this year, all US residents will be required to have a passport for Caribbean travel - BUT, U.S. Residents travelling to the U.S. Virgin Islands remain exempt and will still be able to come here (and leave here) with proof of U.S. residency, either a driver's license or raised-seal birth certificate.

However, if a U.S. Resident is coming to the U.S. Virgin Islands and wants to take a trip to the British Virgin Islands while here, they'll be required to have a passport in order to enter the BVI.

Hope this helps!

Hey STT Resident,
Ok, I just want to make sure here, I am going with my family to BVI next month and we do not have passports (mine and wife's expired). I understood that a DL and birth certificate was good to use until at least September. Am I screwed?
See ya Tart,

No, you are fine. This will work until December. However, contact your passport office. Passports can be obtained in less time than you think. Make sure you have a raised seal on the birth certificates.
Pamela

Thanks Pamela,
We should have everything in order for this trip. We will apply for our passports soon, but to express them costs about $100.00 each.

my understanding is not that you'll need a passport to enter the bvi come dec., but since it will be required to re-enter the us you'll need it for travel. basically, the mandates come from the US, not the bvi.

after dec. everyone should be traveling on a passport-just makes sense..

You will need a passport to enter the BVI come January 1. You will need a passport to re-enter USVI after leaving the BVI. You will not need a passport if you come to the USVI and DO NOT LEAVE US territory.
Pamela