I apologize if this is a stupid question, but here goes...
Do you need a passport to go to the U.S. Virgin Islands

If you are a US citizen you do not need a passport to go to the USVI's.

However, IF you are thinking about going to a nearby islands [BVI] you WILL need a passport.
Debi

No passport for USVI, but all others you will need...bring a back up copy of notarized birth certificate in case you lose passport. Bureaucracy in St. Thomas is a pain in the @#$.

Lifestyle and cultrure site:
www.virginvoices.com

You will need a passport effective January 1, 2007, even if a US citizen flying from the US.

If you're an American....nope.

From the State Dept. website:

Will this requirement apply to travel between the United States and Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands?

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will not affect travel between the United States and its territories. U.S. citizens traveling between the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa will continue to be able to use established forms of identification to board flights and for entry.

If traveling outside the United States or a U.S. territory, a passport or other secure document will be required. For example, a person may travel to and from the United States to the U.S. Virgin islands without a passport or other secure document, but under proposed regulations, a passport or other secure document would be required to re-enter the U.S. Virgin Islands from the British Virgin Islands or another country as of December 31, 2006.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2225.html

But it's so much easier to have a passport...

I should add that the timeline was pushed back a bit.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

If you are coming from the US and flying in STT you do not need a US Passport. However upon your departure, you will either need a certified copy of your birth certificate and a photo id Ie: drivers license. A US Passport along with the Photo ID Ie: Driver's License will also suffice. We are taking along our driver's licenses and passports....

With recent security issues I would advise bringing a passport if you have one. They did ask for some another proof of US citizenship in addition to drivers license. My wife had to show her voter registration card.

As noted the US Dept of State link in caribtraveler's email - A passport WILL be required after Dec 31, 2006 to re-enter the US from the USVI under proposed regulations. It's not an option. Some St John websites are also stating this as well.

Hols: You're not reading it right. It clearly states the upcoming passport rules do not apply to U.S. citizens traveling to/from U.S. territories. It will apply however if you go to the BVIs and you try to re-enter the U.S. and its territories.

I can appreciate everyone's posts about the "technicalities" of the new rules. I don't like to play bad cop, but everyone should just really get a passport and be done with it. They are not that expensive or a hassle to get Welcome to our new world. I did notice that this post originated before our newest threat to our well being.

There are no passport requirements, however, you better bring one for a variety of legal reasons. publsiher's advice is good too by bring a notartized birth certificate, not a photocopy. And if you day trip to British Virgin Islands, you need a passport.

brenan-I did end up applying for a passport (however, I have yet to recieve it)I was wondering in case I didn't get it in time. Thanks for everyones help.

Having a passport is so much easier. It's good for 10 years and it is another piece of solid identification. I use mine to travel even in the states. If you are concerned about time frame, you should visit the government's website which will tell you your options. I got mine renewed same day service in Connecticut by calling the number given to me by the website and then making a reservation to go in. You can also apply for expedited service if you are within a certain time frame too. Sorry, can't remember the site offhand. Just search under U.S. passport service.