How soon after citizenship can I apply for a British passport?

You can apply immediately after receiving your certificate of British citizenship at your ceremony. Many new citizens apply on the same day. There is no waiting period between receiving your certificate and submitting your passport application.

How much does a first British passport cost?

A first adult British passport costs £88.50 for an online application or £100 for a paper application in 2026. A child passport costs £57.50 online or £69 by paper. The fast-track one-week service costs an additional £100, and the premium one-day service costs an additional £142.

How long does it take to get a first British passport?

Standard processing takes up to 10 weeks from the date of your application, though many applications are processed in 3 to 6 weeks. The one-week fast-track service and one-day premium service are available for urgent applications at additional cost.

Do I need to send my citizenship certificate with my passport application?

Yes. You must send your original certificate of British citizenship with your passport application. It will be returned to you after processing. Do not send a photocopy. HM Passport Office needs the original to verify your citizenship.

Applying for a British Passport After Citizenship

You can apply for a British passport immediately after your citizenship ceremony. The application is made online through GOV.UK, costs £88.50, and takes up to 10 weeks for standard processing. This guide covers the step-by-step process, required documents, and options for faster processing.

When to Apply

You can apply for your first British passport as soon as you receive your certificate of British citizenship at your citizenship ceremony. There is no waiting period. Many new citizens submit their application on the same day as their ceremony or within the first week.

While a British passport is not proof of citizenship (your certificate is), it is the most practical document for proving your identity and travelling. Most new citizens want to apply as quickly as possible.

How to Apply

The application is made through the GOV.UK first adult passport page. The process is:

Apply online: Complete the application form on GOV.UK. You will need to provide personal details, details of your citizenship, and upload a digital passport photo.
Get a digital photo: You can take a photo using the GOV.UK photo tool on your smartphone, or use a photo booth that offers a digital code. The photo must meet passport photo requirements (plain expression, white background, no glasses).
Pay the fee: £88.50 for a standard online application.
Send your documents: After completing the online form, you will be told to send your citizenship certificate and any other required documents by post.
Wait for processing: Standard processing takes up to 10 weeks.
Receive your passport: Your passport and citizenship certificate are returned separately, so do not worry if one arrives before the other.

Documents You Need

For a first adult British passport as a naturalised citizen, you will typically need:

Original certificate of British citizenship (naturalisation or registration certificate)
Your current foreign passport (some applications require this)
A digital passport photo meeting the requirements
A countersignatory: Someone who can confirm your identity. They must have known you for at least 2 years, hold a current British or Irish passport, and work in a recognised profession (or be of good standing in the community)

The exact documents required will be confirmed during the online application. Keep your citizenship certificate safe, as it is irreplaceable without a lengthy process.

Costs and Processing Options

There are several processing options:

Standard online: £88.50, up to 10 weeks
Standard paper: £100, up to 10 weeks (apply by post using form C1)
One-week fast-track: Additional fee, processed within one week. You can book an appointment at a passport office to use this service
One-day premium: Additional fee, processed on the day. Available at selected passport offices by appointment only

For more on faster processing options, see our guide on priority services.

The Countersignatory

Because this is your first British passport, you need someone to confirm your identity. This person is called a countersignatory. They must:

Have known you for at least 2 years
Be a British or Irish passport holder
Work in a recognised profession or be a person of good standing in the community
Not be a family member
Not be your solicitor or immigration adviser

Common examples include doctors, teachers, accountants, police officers, and civil servants. Friends or colleagues who meet the criteria can also act as countersignatories.

Your Name on the Passport

Your passport will be issued in the name on your citizenship certificate. If you changed your name as part of the citizenship process, your passport will reflect the new name. If you want a different name on your passport, you will need to complete a deed poll or statutory declaration before applying.

If your citizenship certificate name differs from the name on your foreign passport or other identity documents, be prepared to explain the discrepancy and provide supporting evidence (such as a marriage certificate or deed poll).

Travelling Before Your Passport Arrives

Until you receive your British passport, you can continue to travel on your existing foreign passport. Your citizenship certificate is not a travel document and cannot be used to enter or leave the UK.

If you need to travel urgently, consider the one-day premium service at a passport office. You will need to book an appointment and attend in person. Check availability on GOV.UK.

Returning Your BRP

After becoming a British citizen, you should return your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) to the Home Office. You no longer need it. The Home Office provides a freepost address for returning BRPs. Do not destroy it yourself, as there may be a record-keeping requirement.

Returning your BRP is separate from your passport application and can be done at any time after your ceremony.

Passports for Your Children

If your children are also British citizens (either born in the UK after you gained settled status, or through their own citizenship applications), they can apply for British passports too. Child passports cost £57.50 online and are valid for 5 years.

For children, both parents with parental responsibility usually need to consent to the passport application. The process is similar to the adult application but uses a different form.

What Your Passport Means

A British passport is one of the most powerful travel documents in the world. In 2026, it provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 180 countries and territories. It also serves as proof of your right to live and work in the UK.

For more on the travel benefits, see our guide on citizenship travel benefits. For information on your new voting rights and other entitlements, explore our citizenship guides.