Can I get a definitive answer?

Yes, you need passports to travel between the USVI and the BVI but your baby will be fine without one - just bring along his birth certificate.

To the best of my knowledge, all you need to replace your stateside license with a VI license is your current license and a driving record clearance from the VIPD.

I think at one time you did have to get the record, but they changed the requirements about 10 years to make it easier (yes, the VI government actually made something easier!)

You can call BVI IMMIGRATION to see about requirements for child traveling with US parents as to whether a birth certificate will be accepted or not, for a day trip.

Why do both parents have to be there to get baby passport?
Can't your wife submit a notarized letter stating difficulties in getting off work, from you, along with your passport?

We tried to get one before I left and she was sent away. I have no idea the reasoning other than one parent skipping country with baby?

Why do both parents have to be there to get baby passport?
Can't your wife submit a notarized letter stating difficulties in getting off work, from you, along with your passport?

If only one parent is available, the other has to sign a Declaration of Consent. That's the law.

If only one parent is present to get the passport, you have to bring a NOTARIZED form DS-3053 with you. I've done that before for my son when his passport was going to expire while he was in the states visiting his dad.

Yes, you need passports to travel between the USVI and the BVI but your baby will be fine without one - just bring along his birth certificate.

To the best of my knowledge, all you need to replace your stateside license with a VI license is your current license and a driving record clearance from the VIPD.

And a social security card I was told, which sucks. Who keeps those anyways? I lost mine somewhere around age 15.

Here is the list of acceptable documents for getting initial VI license.

http://www.usvibmv.org/driver_license_renewal.php

It's my understanding that no matter your age you need a passport to travel internationally. So even if the baby is an infant, it will need a passport to travel anywhere out of the U.S.A.

ChrisMI, you can get a replacement card, it's good to have. You are on St. John... right? They do come to St. John once a month, I think it's the third Thursday of the month (they have it posted on the board at Connections) to get a new card, you can look here for what you will need to bring SSA It's always really busy, so get there early and give yourself an hour or two of wait time if you don't get there early.

"Can I get a definitive answer?"

Yes. No. Um, maybe....
😛

"Can I get a definitive answer?"

Yes. No. Um, maybe....
😛

Pretty much. I have put off any BVI trips until I can get to Lt. Governor office for passport. No biggy. They aren't going anywhere

The "correct" answer is that you need a passport for a daytrip to the BVI.

The real world answer is you can easily get away with a driver's license and a SS card, but I wouldn't do it (I hypocritically say as I've done it recently when my passport was stolen but didn't want to pass up a great trip) and I especially wouldn't do it with a baby on board.

The "correct" answer is that you need a passport for a daytrip to the BVI.

The issue is not the parents' passports but one for the baby, and the bigger issue is returning to the USVI. My understanding is that where the baby is concerned his birth certificate should suffice on both ends.

Probably the easiest way to get the definitive answer, if you're traveling by ferry or a charter, is to ask the ferry operators or the charter captains since they're the ones that handle the immigration documentation.

Call the U.S. Passport Office

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/information/do-i-need.html

This sounds definite to me. According to State Department, all children traveling internationally need a passport. Now if a country (bvi) decides to waive that requirement, only that country can provide the info, IMO.

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/under-16.html

I work for a charter boat company that books day charters from St John to Jost (BVI) and submit Homeland Security for that company each time we sail to the BVI - children under the age of 15 can travel to the BVI on an original birth certificate if accompanied by parents.
Pia

Children can travel without government issued ID if under the age of 16 if accompanied by a parent. This only applies in the US to US travel.
The BVI is part of Great Britain. A father can no more take a baby to Great Britain than he can to Saudia Arabia. It does not matter how close the BVI is. It is another country.
The passport rules were set up to prevent international abductions/custody violations.
1. Your solution is to call the passport office and make an appointment. Insist.
Then you only have to be present for the two minute swearing in. You can leave immediately after and have your wife do the rest of the paperwork. But all three of you have to be there initially.
2. Your second solution is to get the notarizatized document for your wife.
Happy sailing.

MissJustice, it has always been my understanding (even since the newer restrictions) that a baby accompanied by his parents and with a birth certificate (which document you omitted to mention) can enter the BVI and re-enter the USVI on a charter with no problem at all. Piaa handles this business every day.

Old Tart is right about the birth certificate exception. It must be a government certified copy.

Old Tart is right about the birth certificate exception. It must be a government certified copy.

Nothing special - simply the original raised seal certificate.