[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 107 (Wednesday, June 3, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 34273]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-11965]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 11114]


30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Birth Affidavit

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment and submission to OMB of 
proposed collection of information.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of State has submitted the information 
collection described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for approval. 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 
30 days for public comment.

DATES: Submit comments up to July 6, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.

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 
establish U.S. nationality by providing a birth certificate that lists 
a place of birth within the United States or its outlying possessions 
(currently American Samoa and Swains Island). 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 in assessing the likelihood that the 
affiant has personal knowledge of the facts of the applicant's birth.

Methodology

    When needed by an applicant for a passport, a Birth Affidavit is 
either provided by the Department or downloaded from the Department's 
website and filled out by the affiant. It must be signed in the 
presence of a passport agent, acceptance agent, or notary public.

Zachary Parker,
Director.
[FR Doc. 2020-11965 Filed 6-2-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4710-06-P