Q&A: Do I need a passport for the U.S. Virgin Islands?
My family is planning to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands over the holidays, and I'm unclear about the new documentation requirements. Do we need passports? -Lesley Grabias, Leesburg, VA
If you're all U.S. citizens, then you do not need a passport to travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix) since it's a U.S. territory. However, if you're also planning to visit neighboring British Virgin Islands (like a trip to the Baths at Virgin Gorda or a visit to Foxy's on Jost van Dyke), then you will need proof of U.S. citizenship. According to the Department of State, all Americans traveling to and from the U.S. by air must have a passport, and the requirement will be extended to sea travel (ferries included) "by the summer of 2008." So, in the interest of island hopping, your safest bet is to just get passports for your brood, or make sure your passports are up to date. For more passport questions, check out our Kids' Passports FAQs.
