[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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