I sent in my completed passport application at the beginning of May and am wondering: What do I do if it doesn't come back in time (especially since my birth certificate is stapled to it, too!). Going to USVI in late June -- do I need to worry? Any way to check on its progress? Thanks!

HI Cheryl: <BR>My husband & I also did our passport application on May 1st, and we got them back 3 weeks later! Pretty good we thought. But I too was nervous about not having our original birth certificate and our marriage license, so I got in touch with our town's Vital Statistic Department and the City Clerk's Marriage License Department and I had to send a letter along with a check, but I had ANOTHER original set of our birth certificates and marriage licenses sent to us. If you are near by the home town you were born in, the Town can probably give you copies immediately if you go in person, or if not, by mail it took 2 week to get all duplicate originals again. Personally, I felt better have 2 originals of everything, but luckily, we did get our passports back in 3 weeks. I know the passport agency told us not to call "looking for the passport" until AFTER 6 weeks of when we sent the application in. So in all honesty, I am sure you will have your passport by your trip, but if you want to be safe, get duplicate originals from your Town. Good luck!

Unless you are from Canada or somewhere in Europe, you do not need a passport or any sort of ID to visit the USVI; the abbreviation stands for the United States' Virgin Islands, and since you ar enot going out of the country, no customs or immigration checks are necessary! It's a shame that you potentially wasted the $80 application fee, and went to all of the time and trouble to get a passport, when it really wasn't necessary in the first place.

It usually takes about 4/6 weeks to receive your passport. So you have plenty of time. A passport is not a waste as stated by another poster. It makes ALL travel (including domestic) so much easier because you will need photo ID to show at the airport. Don't worry and ENJOY!!

Cheryl: I agree with Erika and Amy. You should have it in plenty of time. <BR> <BR>Last fall, I had to send my passport to the Brazilian Consulate in NYC to get a business visa to travel there and it came back safe and sound. <BR> <BR>I think that there is a website to inquire on the document's status and whereabouts. <BR> <BR>Having a passport is a very good idea. It's the best form of ID, honored worldwide and "have passport, will travel". Having one is a good idea. <BR> <BR>Have fun!

Not needing ID traveling to the USVI isnt true. You must show some proof of citizenship when you LEAVE the USVI. Btw, I lived on St Croix for a number of years.

Christie, I don't consider it a waste of money, since as other posters pointed out, you can't go wrong having a passport. I understand that USVI means "United States" (duh!), but when you fly thru San Juan it's considered an international flight, and it sure doesn't hurt to have "proof positive". Some earlier postings told of hassles that other tourists had that could have been easily avoided just by having a passport -- it just makes sense and also helps to speed things up since some customs people have gotten pretty picky about birth certificates. Some travelers had valid BC's with the raised seal, but the customs people were not impressed (maybe having a bad day or on a power trip -- whatever!) and they lost up to a day of their vacation fighting red tape. I don't know about you, but I'd rather spend the day on the beach, not standing in line. Besides, it's not as if this is the only vacation I ever intend to go on, USVI or elsewhere!