[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 31 (Friday, February 14, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8617-8618]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-03040]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 10989]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Birth Affidavit

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

[[Page 8618]]

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 April 
14, 2020.

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 regulations.gov. You can search for the 
document by entering ``Docket Number: DOS-2019-0044'' in the search 
field, clicking the ``Comment Now'' button, and completing the comment 
form.
     Email: [email protected].
     Regular Mail: Send written comments to: PPT Forms Officer, 
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Passport 
Services, Office of Program Management and Operational Support, 44132 
Mercure Cir., P.O. Box 1199, Sterling, VA 20166-1199.
    You must include the DS form number (if applicable), information 
collection title, and the OMB control number in any correspondence.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
     Title of Information Collection: Birth Affidavit.
     OMB Control Number: 1405-0132.
     Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved 
Collection.
     Originating Office: Department of State, Bureau of 
Consular Affairs, Passport Services, Office of Program Management and 
Operational Support (CA/PPT/S/PMO/CR).
     Form Number: DS-10.
     Respondents: Individuals.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,183.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 5,183.
     Average Time per Response: 40 minutes.
     Total Estimated Burden Time: 3,455 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 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

    Form DS-10, Birth Affidavit, is submitted in conjunction with an 
application for a U.S. passport, and is used by Passport Services to 
collect information for the purpose of establishing the U.S. 
nationality of a passport applicant who has not submitted an acceptable 
United States birth certificate with his/her passport application. The 
Secretary of State is authorized to issue U.S. passports under 22 
U.S.C. 211a et seq, 8 U.S.C. 1104, and Executive Order 11295 (August 5, 
1966). Pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 212 and 22 CFR 51.2, only U.S. nationals 
may be issued a U.S. passport. Most passport applicants show U.S. 
nationality by providing a birth certificate showing the applicant was 
born in the United States. Some applicants, however, may have been born 
in the United States (and subject to its jurisdiction), but were never 
issued a birth certificate. Form DS-10 is a form affidavit for 
completion by a witness to the birth of such an applicant; it collects 
information relevant to establishing the identity of the affiant, and 
the birth circumstances of the passport applicant. If credible, the 
affidavit may permit the applicant to show U.S. nationality based on 
the applicant's birth in the United States, despite never having been 
issued a U.S. birth certificate. We use the information collected on 
the person completing the affidavit to confirm that individual's 
identity, which is relevant to confirming his or her relationship to 
the applicant and the likelihood that the affiant has actual knowledge 
of the circumstances of the applicant's birth.

Methodology

    When needed, a form DS-10, Birth Affidavit is completed at the time 
a person applies for a U.S. passport.

Florence Fultz,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Passport Services.
[FR Doc. 2020-03040 Filed 2-13-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4710-06-P