Good news: You don’t have to wait long—you can apply for a U.S. passport immediately after your naturalization ceremony. As soon as you’ve taken the Oath of Allegiance and received your Certificate of Naturalization, you’re officially and immediately eligible.
Whether you need your passport in a few weeks or days depends on how quickly you apply and which processing option you choose. Some new citizens get their passports in as little as 24 hours (with proof of urgent travel), while others opt for routine processing and wait several weeks.
Here’s what you need to know about applying for your first passport as a new U.S. citizen—and how to speed things up if you have urgent international travel.
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You Can Apply for a Passport Immediately
The moment your naturalization ceremony ends and you’re handed your Certificate of Naturalization, you’re eligible to apply for a U.S. passport. As long as you have that certificate in hand, you can start your passport application.
Since this is your first U.S. passport, that means you’ll need to apply in person at a passport acceptance facility, such as a post office, public library, or local government office.
Here’s what you’ll need to apply:
Form DS-11, “Application for a U.S. Passport”
- Be sure to read our guide: How to Obtain a U.S. Passport for a step-by-step guide on how to apply for and obtain a new U.S. passport.
- Need help with the form? Here’s how to fill out DS-11 step-by-step.
Your original Certificate of Naturalization
- No digital or photocopies allowed.
- Please note: Your original Certificate of Naturalization will be mailed back to you once your passport application is processed.
A valid photo ID
- For example, your naturalization certificate or a state-issued ID.
A recent passport photo
- Make sure your photo meets all passport photo requirements.
Additional supporting documents
- For instance, proof of name change, if applicable.
Required fees
- Fees like the application fee and acceptance fee.
For more details, see our comprehensive guide on How to Obtain a U.S. Passport.
Standard Passport Processing Times
Once you submit your application, here’s how long it takes to receive your new passport, depending on which processing option you choose:
When deciding what type of service to use, consider your travel needs. Not sure? We can help! Read Routine vs Expedited Passport Service: A Comparison of Processing Times, Requirements & Cost for a full breakdown of these services.
Need your new passport in a hurry? Then, urgent expedited service is the best choice for you!
Urgent Expedited Service
Yes, you can get a new passport in under 24 hours! If standard expedited service isn’t fast enough for your travel needs, you can apply for your new U.S. passport in person at a Regional Passport Agency through urgent expedited service. You must schedule an appointment and be able to provide proof of urgent international travel* in 14 days.
*Acceptable proof of urgent travel includes confirmed flight itineraries, hotel bookings, cruise tickets, or border crossing documentation.
For more information, see How to Get an Urgent First-Time Passport in 2 Weeks or Less.
Pro Tip: Appointments at Regional Passport Agencies are limited and can be difficult to line up with your schedule or travel timeline. If you can’t get to a regional agency, hiring a registered passport expediter can dramatically reduce turnaround time, not to mention save you money and stress, and it may be your best option for same-day or next-day issuance.
Let’s Recap
- You can apply for a new U.S. passport immediately after your oath ceremony as long as you have your Certificate of Naturalization.
- You need to complete Form DS-11 to apply for a new passport in person.
- Processing can take anywhere from 1 day to 6 weeks, depending on how urgently you need it and how you apply.
- You must submit your original Certificate of Naturalization with your DS-11 application. Don’t worry: These documents will be mailed back to you once your application is processed.
Congratulations on taking your Oath of Allegiance—you’re officially a U.S. citizen! Now you’re ready to get your U.S. passport and plan your next international trip!
Safe travels, Laura
