Starting this Monday, the U.S. Department of State is launching a pilot program that allows certain adults to apply for their first U.S. passport entirely online. This initiative, detailed in public notice 13173 in the Federal Register, eliminates the need for appointments or visits to any office.
This pilot, which runs until November 20, 2027, is a significant opportunity for the thousands of Cubans who have recently become U.S. citizens. Those possessing a USCIS-issued Certificate of Naturalization can now obtain their first passport without having to visit an acceptance facility.
Traditionally, only passport renewals via the DS-82 form could be completed online. The new pilot program expands this capability to the DS-11 form, used by first-time applicants and those ineligible for standard renewal.
For Cubans navigating naturalization or with questions about U.S. immigration procedures, our Immigration in the U.S. section provides the latest information you need.
Who Qualifies for the Initial Phase?
The pilot begins with two groups of adult residents in the United States:
- Individuals applying for their first passport using a USCIS Certificate of Naturalization as proof of citizenship.
- Those who previously held a valid passport but do not meet the requirements for renewal with form DS-82.
Applicants must be 18 or older and possess a valid identification recognized by login.gov, such as a current U.S. passport booklet or card, or a driver’s license or state ID issued by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory. Mobile driver's licenses are not accepted.
Step-by-Step Process Overview
The application process begins at america.gov, a federal portal enhanced with artificial intelligence and launched by the White House in the fall of 2026. Applicants answer questions to verify eligibility.
Eligible individuals are directed to login.gov, where they must present their ID, pass a biometric life detection test—which uses facial recognition to confirm they are a living person and not an automated program—enter their Social Security number, and confirm their address.
After verification, applicants return to America.gov to review their biographical data, add additional information like their USCIS registration number, emergency contact, and occupation, and upload their passport photo.
The final step involves taking an oath: applicants must record a video reciting a declaration under penalty of perjury that all provided information is true. A passport agent reviews this recording along with other submitted materials before processing the application. Once approved, the passport is mailed to the specified address.
Fees and Warnings
The $35 execution fee remains applicable even for online applications because the Department must still review the recorded oath and identity evidence. This is in addition to the $130 application fee for an adult passport book, totaling $165.
The Department of State warns that no one else can sign or submit a passport application on another's behalf. Websites offering such services may be fraudulent and risk exposing personal data like addresses and Social Security numbers.
Minors under 18 and those needing to submit affidavits or court orders are excluded from the pilot and must follow the paper-based process.
Background and Future Phases
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced in September that Americans would soon be able to apply for their first passport entirely online; this pilot is the initial concrete step towards that goal. For Cubans who naturalize via the Cuban Adjustment Act, the USCIS Certificate of Naturalization obtained after completing form N-400 is the key document enabling this online process.
Future phases will include individuals with a certified U.S. birth certificate, a USCIS Certificate of Citizenship, or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, as well as applicants located outside the United States. The ultimate objective, according to the Federal Register, is "to gather information to guide a potential transition towards permanently allowing DS-11 applications online."
Frequently Asked Questions about the New Passport Application Pilot
Who is eligible for the online passport application pilot?
Adults in the U.S. applying for their first passport with a USCIS Certificate of Naturalization or those who had a valid passport but can't renew it with form DS-82 qualify.
What identification is required for the online application process?
Applicants need a valid U.S. passport booklet or card, or a driver's license or state ID issued by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory.
What are the total fees for applying for a passport online?
The total cost is $165, which includes a $35 execution fee and a $130 application fee for the adult passport book.
How does the biometric life detection test work in the application process?
The biometric life detection test involves facial recognition technology to ensure the applicant is a real person and not an automated system.