# Travel >> Travel Preparation >> Passports

How to Get My Child a U.S. Passport When Our Passports from Mexico Are Expired

Children born in the United States, even those born to non-citizen parents, are automatically American citizens. This law is known as "birthright citizenship." If the parents of such a minor child have legal U.S. identification, then, a Mexican passport -- whether valid or expired -- is irrelevant. If not, though, parents will need to renew Mexican passports to use as formal identification.

Notarized Form DS 3053
Form DS-11
Parents' ID
Proof of child's U.S. citizenship
Passport photo of child
Passport application and processing fees

Instructions

- 1
  Print and fill out Form DS 3053. This form is for parents who are applying for a U.S. passport for their child but not for themselves. You must use black ink to fill out this form and you must fill it out legibly.
- 2
  Print and fill out Form DS-11.
- 3
  Take Form DS 3053 to a notary public and have the form notarized. Do not sign or date this form until you are in the presence of that notary public. If you do not sign and date it there, it will be invalid.
- 4
  Photocopy both sides of your ID cards and submit them along with the forms. If your only valid identification is an expired Mexican passport, you will need to renew that passport.
- 5
  Submit proof of your child's birth in the United States as proof of U.S. citizenship. A birth certificate is sufficient proof.
- 6
  Submit a passport photo of your child.
- 7
  Pay the application fee.
- 8
  Use the Passport Acceptance Facility Search Page from the State Department's website to find the closest Passport Acceptance Facility to you. Call for an appointment, then submit all of your documents and your child's, along with the application and processing fees.