You can only apply for first British passport after you have attended your citizenship ceremony and hold the original Certificate of Naturalisation in your hands.You must complete a brand new passport application to HM Passport Office (HMPO), ideally online via the official online portal.
For a first adult passport, you must send original documents to HMPO, including your naturalisation certificate, birth certificate and foreign passport, and you must nominate a qualifying Identity Countersignatory (referee).
Standard processing times typically run around three to four weeks, but you should allow up to 10 weeks in peak periods. The 1-day premium service and 1-week fast track service are generally not available for a British passport first application.
We, at Axis Solicitors, can advise on naturalisation and British citizenship, documents required for British passport and complex post-naturalisation issues. This guide walks you through how to apply for British passport after naturalisation in detail.
Post-Naturalisation Quick Facts
Before going into the detail, here are the essentials every newly naturalised citizen needs to know when planning to apply for first British passport.
- You can only apply once your citizenship ceremony is complete and you hold your physical Certificate of Naturalisation.
- As of 8 April 2026, the UK government updated standard passport for adult online fees to £102 and paper to £115.50. Always confirm the latest fee.
- The Digital Check and Send service at the Post Office costs £16.00.
- HMPO typically aims for about three to four weeks for a first adult passport, but advise allowing up to 10 weeks before travel.
- Passport fees are non-refundable if an application is refused.
When Can You Apply for First British Passport After Citizenship?
You can apply for first British passport only once you have attended your British citizenship ceremony and received your physical Certificate of Naturalisation.
You cannot apply using just the Home Office approval email or a ceremony invitation letter. HMPO caseworker guidance explicitly states these are not accepted as evidence of British nationality. Applying before the ceremony results in automatic rejection, and you lose the application fee.
Your naturalisation certificate is the core proof that you are now a British citizen and therefore eligible for a first adult passport. Applicants must be aged 16 or over to apply for an adult passport. A child passport application follows a different route with separate fees (£57.50 online, £69 by paper form).
Note for dual nationality: applying for a UK passport does not normally force you to surrender your existing passport. However, you should check whether your country of origin restricts dual citizenship, as some nations require you to renounce your old passport.
If you became a British citizen by birth, descent or registration or via Irish citizens route to British citizenship, different eligibility requirements and evidence rules may apply. The application process can vary depending on your route to citizenship.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply for First UK Passport Online
First adult British passport applications can be submitted online or via paper form. Applying online is generally faster and cheaper. Here is how to apply for a British passport through the standard digital route:
Step 1: Obtain a Compliant Digital Photo
You need a digital passport-style photo that meets official guidelines from HM Passport Office. You can get a Digital Passport Photo Code from approved photo booths, high-street shops or by taking a compliant photo at home. The photo must meet strict rules on size, background colour, lighting and expression. Non-compliant photographs are one of the most common causes of delays.
Step 2: Complete the HMPO Online Application Form
Go to the official GOV.UK first adult passport page (no-follow) and select the option for a first adult passport. You will enter your personal details, address history, Certificate of Naturalisation information (exactly as printed) and current foreign passport details. Carefully review every entry before submitting, as errors create delays.
Step 3: Pay the Passport Application Fee
Pay by card when prompted. Online applications have historically been published at £75.50 for adults and £49 for children, rising to £88.50 for adults and £57.50 for children, with the most recent April 2026 update setting the adult online fee at £102 and paper to £115.50.
Always verify the current application fee before applying.
Step 4: Nominate an Identity Countersignatory (Referee)
When asked, provide the details of a qualifying referee who can confirm your identity online. An identity confirmer is required to verify the applicant’s identity online via email instructions from HM Passport Office. Choose someone reliable who will respond promptly.
Step 5: Post Your Original Supporting Documents
After the online application form is accepted, you will receive instructions to post your original naturalisation certificate, birth certificate and foreign passport to the designated HMPO branch. Send original documents using Royal Mail Special Delivery or another tracked, secure method. Never send photocopies.
You can track your passport application online after submission through the GOV.UK tracking service.
Applying by Post: Paper Application Form for First Adult Passport
If you prefer not to apply online, you can apply by post using a paper passport application form collected from selected larger Post Offices. Some applicants feel more confident with a physical form they can complete by hand. Paper applications for adult passports cost more (with April 2026 update setting the paper fee at £115.50) and generally take longer to process than an online application.
Key points for paper applications:
- Complete the paper form in black ink and block capitals. Do not cross out mistakes; if you make an error, request a new form. Inaccurate information or crossings-out can cause HMPO to reject the submission.
- You must include two identical passport photos printed to HMPO specifications. One photo must be signed on the back by your countersignatory, confirming it is a true likeness.
- Your countersignatory must also complete Section 10 of the application form with a signed and dated letter-style declaration.
- You can use the Post Office Check and Send service for an additional fee of £16.00. Staff will check your application form and documents for common errors before posting them to HMPO. This is well worth considering if you want to reduce the risk of rejection.
- All original documents must be enclosed. HMPO will not accept photocopies or laminated certificates.
Documents Required for First British Passport Applications
Getting your documents right is one of the most important parts of the British passport application process. HMPO requires originals, not photocopies, and missing or incorrect paperwork is the single biggest cause of delays. Here is a checklist of documents required for first British passport:
| Document | Original Required? | Translation Needed? | Common HMPO Issue |
| Certificate of Naturalisation or Registration | Yes | No (issued in English) | Name mismatch with other documents |
| Current foreign passport(s) | Yes | No | Expired or missing passport |
| Old foreign passports used to enter UK | Yes, if held | No | Not submitted or destroyed |
| Full birth certificate | Yes | Yes, if not in English | Short certificate sent instead of full |
| Marriage certificate / civil partnership certificate | Yes, if name changed | Yes, if not in English | Not provided when name differs |
| Deed poll or court order for name changes | Yes, if applicable | Yes, if not in English | Incomplete chain of name evidence |
| Adoption certificate | Yes, if applicable | Yes, if not in English | Missing parent’s details |
| Certified translations | Yes (with originals) | N/A | Non-certified translation submitted |
| Always send original documents by secure tracked post to avoid loss. |
Who Can Be Your Identity Referee (Countersignatory)?
A countersignatory is required for first-time adult applications. This person plays a key role in confirming your identity to HM Passport Office. Choosing the right referee can prevent significant delays.
Eligibility criteria for your referee:
- Must be a British citizen with a valid passport, aged 18 or over, and living in the UK
- Should work in (or be retired from) a recognised professional occupation
- Must have known you personally for at least two years
Who cannot act as your referee:
- Close relatives by blood or marriage
- Anyone living at the same address as you
- Your partner or spouse
- Anyone employed by HM Passport Office or UKVI
How the process works:
- For an online application, HMPO emails the referee a secure link. They must confirm your identity online by answering questions about you and verifying that your photo is a true likeness.
- For paper forms, the countersignatory completes Section 10 and signs one of your printed digital photographs on the back.
Common problems to watch for:
- Referees who do not respond to the HMPO email within the required timeframe cause significant delays. Choose someone who checks their email regularly.
- Referees who do not actually meet the eligibility criteria (for example, they do not hold a valid British passport or are a family member) will be rejected.
- Providing inconsistent information about how long they have known you can trigger additional checks.
HMPO Processing Times, Interviews and Return of Documents
Understanding processing times helps you plan ahead and avoid stress. Here is what to expect:
- Standard processing time is around three weeks for straightforward applications. However, first-time adult applications may take longer than three weeks, and HMPO advises allowing up to 10 weeks during busy periods such as summer holidays.
- Applications requiring additional checks can delay processing times considerably. Responding promptly to any HMPO requests can minimise delays.
- Urgent applications can be processed in one week for an extra fee (fast track service), and premium services can provide same-day passport issuance. However, for first adult passport applications, the 1-day premium service to get passport urgently is generally not available, and the 1-week fast track service is typically restricted to renewals. Applications can be submitted in person for same-day service only in eligible renewal cases.
The application process may include a requirement for an interview to verify identity. First-time applicants aged 16 to 69 may be invited to a 30-minute identity interview, conducted in person or via secure video call. Newly naturalised citizens whose identity is already confirmed in UKVI systems may not always be called for interview.
HMPO returns your original Certificate of Naturalisation, foreign passport, birth certificate and other original documents separately from the new passport itself, typically via secure or tracked post.
Do not book non-refundable international travel until you have your new passport in hand. Processing times are not guaranteed and delays often occur if additional identity checks are needed.
Post-Application Compliance: Returning Your BRP and Status Changes
Becoming a British citizen changes your immigration status, and there are compliance steps beyond the passport application itself.
After your citizenship ceremony, you must cut your old Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) in half and post it back to the Home Office within five working days, unless the letter attached to your BRP specifies a different timescale.
Failure to return your BRP can result in a financial penalty, even though you are now a British citizen. This obligation is entirely separate from applying for your first British passport.
Once naturalised, your immigration status is no longer held as a migrant. Your UKVI digital records automatically update to reflect your status as a British citizen. Your old passport with a UK visa vignette and your BRP are no longer valid travel documents for entering the UK.
You cannot use your old BRP or existing passport plus UK visa for travel into the UK once you are a British citizen. You need either a British passport or, where applicable, to travel on another nationality’s passport with appropriate arrangements.
If you have questions about previous names, bail conditions or other complications linked to your immigration history, seeking expert advice early can prevent issues later.
Common Problems When You Apply for First British Passport
Based on the cases we see at Axis Solicitors, here are common mistakes that delay or derail a first adult passport application:
- Applying too early: Submitting an application before the citizenship ceremony or before the certificate is in your possession. HMPO will refuse the application and the fee is non-refundable.
- Name mismatches: The name on your naturalisation certificate must match what you want on the passport, or you must provide a complete chain of name-change evidence (marriage certificate, deed poll, court order). Discrepancies between your foreign passport, birth certificate and naturalisation certificate frequently trigger queries.
- Missing or incorrect documents: Not sending original documents, sending laminated certificates or forgetting to include a certified translation. Passport applications can be delayed due to missing documents, sometimes by several weeks.
- Poor quality photos: Photos that do not meet HMPO standards for background, lighting, size or expression. Always use compliant photographs from an approved provider.
- Ineligible referee: Nominating a close relative, someone at the same address or someone without a valid British passport. These are rejected outright.
- Incomplete personal details or address history: Gaps in your address history or missing parent’s details where requested trigger additional checks. Provide accurate information and leave no sections blank.
Taking early legal advice from UK immigration solicitors can prevent avoidable delays, particularly for applicants with complex travel or immigration histories, previous refusals or concerns about individual circumstances.
How Axis Solicitors Can Help With Your First British Passport
We understand that after months or even years working from Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) to citizenship, the last thing you want is for your passport application to hit unnecessary obstacles. At Axis Solicitors, we are an SRA-authorised law firm (SRA No: 653526) with offices in Manchester, Birmingham and London, and immigration and nationality law is at the heart of what we do.
With over 20 years of experience, we know the HMPO process inside out. Here is how we can help:
- Review your naturalisation certificate, birth certificate and other supporting evidence before you apply, ensuring everything is consistent and ready
- Advise on name-change documentation, certified translations and any additional documents HMPO may require
- Assist clients with complicated travel histories, previous names or nationality questions that standard guidance does not cover
- Intervene if your application is delayed, if HMPO requests an interview or if there are concerns about Foreign Passport Cancellation or countersigning rules in your home country
Ready to apply for your first British passport with confidence? Book a consultation with our team for tailored advice on your British passport application.
FAQs About First British Passports After Citizenship
Can I travel using my foreign passport after becoming a British citizen but before I receive my first British passport?
In some cases you may still be able to travel internationally on your existing foreign passport, provided it remains valid and the destination country permits entry on that document. However, your UK immigration permission attached to that passport (such as a visa vignette or BRP) is no longer valid once you are a British citizen.
What if HM Passport Office keeps my naturalisation certificate and foreign passport for longer than expected?
Delays can occur during additional security checks or when HMPO needs to verify details with UKVI. You can track your application online through the GOV.UK tracking tool. If your documents have been held for longer than the expected processing window, contact the Passport Office advice line.
What can I do if my chosen referee does not respond to HMPO’s email?
HMPO will usually allow you to nominate a replacement countersignatory if your first referee does not respond within the required timeframe. Choose a new referee who clearly meets the eligibility criteria, checks their email regularly and is ready to act quickly.
Can I apply for my first British passport from overseas after naturalisation?
It is usually possible to apply from abroad using the overseas HMPO service on GOV.UK. However, processing times are typically longer than in-the-UK applications, and HMPO may carry out additional checks on your identity and documents, including a video interview.
What if there is a mistake in my first British passport when it arrives?
If HMPO has made an error on your new passport (such as a misspelt name or incorrect date of birth), contact them immediately and follow the correction process on GOV.UK. Errors made by HMPO are usually corrected without an additional fee. If the error originated from incorrect details on your application form, you may need to apply again.
