[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 118 (Thursday, June 19, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35209-35210]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-14362]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 8768]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Passport Demand 
Forecasting Study

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and

[[Page 35210]]

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 August 
18, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     Web: Persons with access to the Internet may use the 
Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) to comment on this notice by 
going to www.Regulations.gov. You can search for the document by 
entering ``Public Notice 8768'' in the Search bar. If necessary, use 
the Narrow by Agency filter option on the Results page.
     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 the Office of Passport Services, who may be 
reached at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
     Title of Information Collection: Passport Demand 
Forecasting Study.
     OMB Control Number: 1405-0177.
     Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved 
Collection.
     Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of 
Passport Services.
     Form Number: SV2012-0006.
     Respondents: A national representative sample of U.S. 
citizens, nationals, and any other categories of individuals that are 
entitled to a U.S. passport product.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,000 survey respondents 
monthly.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 48,000 survey responses 
annually.
     Average Time per Response: approximately 10 minutes per 
survey.
     Total Estimated Burden Time: 8,000 hours.
     Frequency: Monthly.
     Obligation to Respond: Voluntary.
    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 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 Secretary of State is authorized to issue U.S. passports under 
22 U.S.C. 211a. The Department of State, Passport Services administers 
the U.S. passport issuance program and operates passport agencies and 
application adjudication centers throughout the United States. As part 
of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, the 
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative required the Secretary of Homeland 
Security and the Secretary of State to implement a plan to require all 
U.S. citizen and non-citizen nationals to present a passport and/or 
other sufficient documentation when entering the U.S. from abroad. This 
resulted in an increase in demand for U.S. passports.
    The Passport Demand Forecasting Survey requests information from 
the public about the demand for U.S. passports, anticipated travel, and 
the demographic profile of the respondent. This voluntary survey is 
conducted on a monthly basis using responses from a randomly selected 
but nationally representative sample of U.S. nationals ages 16 and 
older. The information obtained from the survey is used to monitor and 
project the demand for U.S. passport books and U.S. passport cards. The 
Passport Demand Forecasting Survey aids the Department of State, 
Passport Services in making decisions about staffing, resource 
allocation, and budget planning.

Methodology

    The Passport Demand Forecasting Study uses monthly surveys that 
will gather data from a national representative sample of U.S. citizens 
and nationals. Survey delivery methodologies can include mail, 
Internet/Web, telephone, and mix-mode surveys to ensure the CA/PPT 
reaches the appropriate audience and leverages the best research method 
to obtain valid responses. The survey data will cover an estimated 
48,000 respondents annually.

    Dated: June 6, 2014.
Brenda S. Sprague,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Passport Services, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2014-14362 Filed 6-18-14; 8:45 am]
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