[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 64 (Monday, April 4, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19285-19286]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07617]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice: 9508]
60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Application for
a U.S. Passport
ACTION: Notice of request for public comment.
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SUMMARY: The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below.
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are
requesting comments on this collection from all interested individuals
and organizations. The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for
public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
DATES: The Department will accept comments from the public up to June
3, 2016.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
Web: Persons with access to the Internet may comment on
this notice by going to www.Regulations.gov. You can search for the
document by entering ``Docket Number: DOS-2016-0018'' in the Search
field. Then click the ``Comment Now'' button and complete the comment
form.
Email: [email protected].
You must include the DS form number (if applicable), information
collection title, and the OMB control number in any correspondence.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct requests for additional
information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including
requests for copies of the proposed collection instrument and
supporting documents, to PPT Forms Officer, U.S. Department of State,
CA/PPT/S/L 44132 Mercure Cir, P.O. Box 1227, Sterling, VA 20166-1227,
or at [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title of Information Collection: Application for a U.S.
Passport.
OMB Control Number: 1405-0004.
Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved
Collection.
Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Passport
Services, Office of Legal Affairs and Law Enforcement Liaison (CA/PPT/
S/L).
Form Number: DS-11.
Respondents: Individuals or Households.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 11,763,831.
Estimated Number of Responses: 11,763,831.
Average Time per Response: 85 Minutes.
Total Estimated Burden Time: 16,665,427 hours.
Frequency: On occasion.
Obligation to Respond: Required to Obtain a Benefit.
We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:
Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is
necessary for the proper functions of the Department.
Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost
burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used.
Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected.
Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond,
including the use of automated collection techniques
[[Page 19286]]
or other forms of information technology.
Please note that comments submitted in response to this Notice are
public record. Before including any detailed personal information, you
should be aware that your comments as submitted, including your
personal information, will be available for public review.
Abstract of proposed collection:
The DS-11 solicits data necessary for Passport Services to issue a
United States passport (book and/or card format) pursuant to
authorities granted to the Secretary of State by 22 U.S.C. 211a et seq.
and E.O. 11295 (August 5, 1966) for the issuance of passports to U.S.
nationals.
The issuance of U.S. passports requires the determination of
identity, nationality, and entitlement with reference to the provisions
of Title III of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C.
1401-1504), the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United
States, other applicable treaties and laws, and implementing
regulations at 22 CFR parts 50 and 51. The specific regulations
pertaining to the Application for a U.S. Passport are at 22 CFR 51.20
through 51.28.
Methodology:
The information collected on the DS-11 is used to facilitate the
issuance of passports to U.S. citizens and nationals. The primary
purpose of soliciting the information is to establish citizenship,
identity, and entitlement to the issuance of the U.S. passport or
related service, and to properly administer and enforce the laws
pertaining to the issuance thereof.
Passport Services collects information from U.S. citizens and non-
citizen nationals when they complete and submit the Application for a
U.S. Passport. Passport applicants can either download the DS-11 from
the internet or obtain one from an Acceptance Facility/Passport Agency.
The form must be completed and executed at an acceptance facility or
passport agency, and submitted with evidence of citizenship and
identity.
Additional information:
The proposed renewal of the DS-11 includes an advisory on the
instructions that lawful permanent resident cards (green cards) that
are submitted with Form DS-11 will be forwarded to U.S. Citizen and
Immigration Services if the applicant is found to be a U.S. citizen.
This advisory is consistent with an arrangement between the Department
of State and the Department of Homeland Security, as green cards are
property of the Department of Homeland Security.
The proposed renewal of Form DS-11 also includes a new instruction
to applicants requiring submission of a photocopy of the applicant's
evidence of U.S. citizenship, in addition to the official or certified
copy that is currently required. The official or certified copy will
continue to be used to determine whether the applicant has a valid
claim to U.S. citizenship. The photocopy will be retained by the
Department so that the Department has a complete and accurate record of
what the applicant submitted with his or her U.S. passport application.
Evidence of U.S. citizenship, however, is only annotated on the
application, and a certified copy is generally not retained. The
Department considered different alternatives to having the applicant
submit a photocopy in addition to the official or certified copy;
however, none of these alternatives were logistically feasible or cost
effective. Based on a resource analysis study, the additional costs for
labor, equipment, supplies, facility modifications and obtaining
additional space makes it not feasible for the Department to make
photocopies of primary citizenship evidence without significantly
affecting agency operations and passport processing times. The
Department determined that adding the requirement for a photocopy of
the applicant's evidence of U.S. citizenship is the only feasible way
to create a complete record of the documentation submitted with
applications. The Department also believes that retaining copies of
applicants' evidence of U.S. citizenship will help the Department
develop and deliver online passport applicant services. Applicants
currently submit a photocopy of their photo identification.
The Privacy Act statement has been amended to clarify that an
applicant's failure to provide his or her Social Security number may
result in the denial of an application, consistent with Section 32101
of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (Pub. L. 114-94)
which authorizes the Department to deny U.S. passport applications when
the applicant failed to include his or her Social Security number. It
also makes clear that failure to include one's Social Security number
may also subject the applicant to a penalty enforced by the
International Revenue Service. These requirements and the underlying
legal authorities are further described on page 3 of the instructions
titled ``Federal Tax Law'' which has also been amended to include a
reference to Public Law 114-94.
Dated: March 18, 2016.
Brenda S. Sprague,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Passport Services, Bureau of Consular
Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2016-07617 Filed 4-1-16; 8:45 am]
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