[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 230 (Wednesday, December 1, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 69992]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-26464]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0114]


Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of 
Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment 
on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are 
required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each 
proposed collection of information, including each proposed revision of 
a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment 
in response to this notice. This notice solicits comments on the 
information needed to determine the validity of a common law marriage.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before January 31, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to 
Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20M35), 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 
20420 or e-mail: [email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 
2900-0114'' in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy J. Kessinger at (202) 273-7079 
or FAX (202) 275-5947.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 
U.S.C., 3501-3520), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of 
information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being 
made pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.
    With respect to the following collection of information, VBA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VBA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of VBA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on respondents, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of 
information technology.
    Title: Statement of Marital Relationship, VA Form 21-4170.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0114.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: Persons claiming to be common law widows/widowers of 
deceased veterans and veterans and their claimed common law spouses 
complete VA Form 21-4170 to establish marital status. VA uses the 
information collected to determine whether the common law marriage was 
valid under the law of the place where the parties resided at the time 
of the marriage or under the law of the place where the parties resided 
when the right to benefits accrued.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 2,708 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 25 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,500.

    Dated: November 22, 2004.
    By direction of the Secretary.
Loise Russell,
Director, Records Management Service.
[FR Doc. 04-26464 Filed 11-30-04; 8:45 am]
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