Passport required?

where did you hear this?

It depends. Last year I almost got denied a flight back from NY using my VI drivers license until a supervisor came over and told the guy that those real id restrictions have been delayed. But they are coming.

On January 8, 2016, DHS issued a revised implementation schedule for Phase 4, stating that starting January 22, 2018 "passengers with a driver's license issued by a state that is still not compliant with the REAL ID Act (and has not been granted an extension) will need to show an alternative form of acceptable ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/REAL_ID_Act

So if you have a license from a state that is compliant you can use your license.

Not from the US or PR for US citizens. Immigration likes to look at one on the return if you have it but officially birth certificate and government photo ID are supposed to be accepted.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/980/kw/traveling%20to%20the%20virgin%20islands/session/L3RpbWUvMTQ5MDQ1MTcyNi9zaWQvajh5NC1xZW4%3D

Thank you, sounds like it will be easier to just get my passport renewed and not take any chances:-)

Regarding the REAL ID Act:

A number of states on the mainland are not compliant, among them CA and MN. If those states, with the resources they have, can't come into compliance...

I'm making certain my passport is good and in my luggage anytime I go to the airport, regardless of where I end up.

Not from the US or PR for US citizens. Immigration likes to look at one on the return if you have it but officially birth certificate and government photo ID are supposed to be accepted.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/980/kw/traveling%20to%20the%20virgin%20islands/session/L3RpbWUvMTQ5MDQ1MTcyNi9zaWQvajh5NC1xZW4%3D

But will that change after Real ID? The government photo id is the issue at hand.

Unrelated, but amusing - when I fly in the states, everyone at TSA thinks my Virgin Islands driver's license is fake. (I sometimes forget to pull my passport out first.) The fact that since the first year of use, it has needed scotch tape to keep the holograph from peeling off, doesn't help their impression.

As sjointer notes, I don't expect our licenses will become Real ID compliant anytime soon. The BMV tech challenges are of the variety that "the camera isn't working right now, so we can't do licenses until it's fixed." This can go on for days or months.

So, if you move here, definitely get a passport for travel. I don't trust that my local ID will be accepted anywhere but here as proof of my identity.

Regarding the REAL ID Act:

A number of states on the mainland are not compliant, among them CA and MN. If those states, with the resources they have, can't come into compliance...

I'm making certain my passport is good and in my luggage anytime I go to the airport, regardless of where I end up.

I hope not checked luggage. Never leave your passport anywhere other than on your person. We do always have two sets of copies, one printed in checked luggage and one digital in TripIt, the travel app I use.

I agree on locals DL. In AZ I've been refused at the bar half dozen times. Now I take my old AZ lisense with me too.... although after last time and how sick I got stateside I told my family I wasn't someone back ever again lol. They must have too me seriously because my dad is coming to visit soon. Works for me! I still can't understand why I get so damn sick on stateside trips and never internationally. I'm guessing the plane filters on the long flights are better? It's weird for sure but not once have I gotten sick on longs flights... even 17hr ones. Sorry to sidetrack the convo.

so its not because we are the VI, just because our id's are not compliant

My passport had expired and while I plan on renewing it, just didn't get around to it last year with everything else I had going on so had all identity docs on hand for travel including the expired passport, birth certificate, voter registration ID and driver's license. They were only interested in the DL and had no problems. So far!

We were supposed to be in compliance with the Real ID act but believe that there was a huge glitch in the software program purchased previously by BMV which is still waiting to be rectified.

so its not because we are the VI, just because our id's are not compliant

Yeah, before the Real ID requirement became more prevalent, I would get a lot of smiles at TSA: "The Virgin Islands, huh? That must nice." Now they just look at me sideways and ask if I have any other ID on me.

Regarding the REAL ID Act:

A number of states on the mainland are not compliant, among them CA and MN. If those states, with the resources they have, can't come into compliance...

I'm making certain my passport is good and in my luggage anytime I go to the airport, regardless of where I end up.

I hope not checked luggage. Never leave your passport anywhere other than on your person. We do always have two sets of copies, one printed in checked luggage and one digital in TripIt, the travel app I use.

I email the digital copies of the IDs to myself so can get to them if needed from any computer and internet.

I found it interesting that the BMV required the *exact* same identification documents by type and number that Florida required to get a RealID compliant drivers license. Only difference is the VI license does not have the required gold star that TSA requires.

Were you able to get a real if compliment DL here captbill? I'd like to have one also if possible since we travel a lot.

Were you able to get a real if compliment DL here captbill? I'd like to have one also if possible since we travel a lot.

I think he's saying that even though the requirements are the same as for a Real ID license, ours aren't compliant.

Were you able to get a real if compliment DL here captbill? I'd like to have one also if possible since we travel a lot.

I think he's saying that even though the requirements are the same as for a Real ID license, ours aren't compliant.

Exactly. VI DL is not compliant but they make you produce all the documents anyway.

Maybe because Real ID licenses don't peel apart after a year of use!

Regarding the REAL ID Act:

A number of states on the mainland are not compliant, among them CA and MN. If those states, with the resources they have, can't come into compliance...

I'm making certain my passport is good and in my luggage anytime I go to the airport, regardless of where I end up.

Hopefully the real ID act NEVER passes, we do NOT need the federal government taking over all identification for the united states, the 10th amendment is being violated left and right and most people don't even know which amendment that is 🙁

"show me your papers" err.. "real ID".....

My passport had expired and while I plan on renewing it, just didn't get around to it last year...

I believe you only have 6 months to renew a passport, after that, you are required to start over as if you never had one.

My passport had expired and while I plan on renewing it, just didn't get around to it last year...

I believe you only have 6 months to renew a passport, after that, you are required to start over as if you never had one.

http://www.uspassporthelpguide.com/passport-renewal/

Confirm Passport Renewal Eligibility

If the following requirements are true you can submit your passport application via mail:

•Your current passport is not damaged (other than normal wear and tear)
•The issuance date is not more than 15 years ago
•You were age 16 or older when your passport was issued
•You still have the same name, or can legally document your name change.
•Your passport has NOT been limited as a result of damage, multiple passport thefts, or non-compliance with regulations.

Ineligible for Renewing Your Passport
•Damage Passport – If your passport is damage, and would not be able to verify information according to State Department requirements.
•Limited Passport – Owe taxes or child support this would need to be resolve with the agency before applying for a renewal.
•Old Passport – Expired Passport was expired more than 15 years ago.
•Child Passport – A child passport is issue for 5 years, and cannot be renewed.

Didn't even think of that but I'm good.
Thanks for the link, BeachcomberStt.

Didn't even think of that but I'm good.
Thanks for the link, BeachcomberStt.

You're welcome!

Passports are usually good for 10 years so that means you'd have 5 years after expiration to renew but make sure to check the issue date to be sure.

The 6-month thing is the amount of time before expiration that you're supposed to renew your current passport. Having a passport with less than 6 months to expiration on it can be a problem for entering some countries. So if your passport expires at the end of 2017, send in your application in the next couple of months.