The Department of State is launching a pilot program this Monday that allows certain adults to apply for their first U.S. passport entirely online, without an appointment or visit to any office, through the public notice 13173 published in the Federal Register.
The program, valid until November 20, 2027, presents a concrete opportunity for the thousands of Cubans who have become naturalized U.S. citizens: those who possess a Naturalization Certificate issued by USCIS will be able to apply for their first passport without having to visit an acceptance center.
Until now, the only passport application that could be fully processed online was the renewal using the DS-82 form. The new pilot program extends this possibility to the DS-11 form, which is used by first-time applicants and those who do not qualify for regular renewal.
Para cubanos en proceso de naturalización o con preguntas sobre trámites migratorios en Estados Unidos, nuestra sección de reúne toda la información actualizada que necesitas.
Who qualifies in this first phase?
The pilot begins with two groups of adults residing in the United States:
- Those applying for their first passport using a USCIS Certificate of Naturalization as proof of citizenship.
- Those who had a valid passport previously but do not meet the requirements to renew it with form DS-82.
In both cases, the applicant must be 18 years of age or older and possess an identification document accepted by login.gov: a valid U.S. passport book or card, or a driver's license or state-issued identification card from a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory. Mobile driver's licenses are excluded.
How the process works step by step
The process begins at america.gov, the federal portal with artificial intelligence launched by the White House in the fall of 2026. There, the applicant answers a series of questions to confirm their eligibility.
Those who qualify are redirected to login.gov, where they must present their identification document, pass a biometric life detection test —which verifies through facial recognition that they are a real person and not an automated program— enter their Social Security number, and confirm their address.
After completing the verification, the applicant returns to America.gov to review their biographical information, add additional details such as their USCIS registration number, emergency contact, and occupation, and upload their passport photo.
The final step is the oath: the applicant must record themselves on video reciting the statement under penalty of perjury that all information provided is true. A passport agent reviews that recording along with the rest of the materials before granting the application. Once approved, the passport is mailed to the specified address.
Rates and warnings
The $35 execution fee remains even if the process is done online, as the Department must still review the recorded affidavit and the evidence of identity. In addition, there is the adult passport book application fee ($130), bringing the total to $165.
The State Department warns that no one can sign or submit a passport application on behalf of another person. Any site offering to do so may be fraudulent and could put personal information at risk, such as your address and Social Security number.
Individuals under 18 years of age and those required to submit a sworn statement or a court order are excluded from the pilot program and must follow the paper process.
Context and upcoming phases
The Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced in September that Americans could apply for their first passport entirely online; this pilot program is the first concrete step toward that goal. For , the Certificate of Naturalization issued by USCIS upon completion of the process with form N-400 is precisely the document that paves the way for this online procedure.
In later phases, the Department plans to include those who present 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 goal, according to the official document from the Federal Register, is "to gather information to guide a potential transition that will allow for the permanent online submission of DS-11 applications."
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