[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 228 (Wednesday, November 25, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 75394]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-26068]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 11219]


30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Passport Demand 
Forecasting Survey

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

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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 December 28, 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: Passport Demand 
Forecasting Survey.
     OMB Control Number: 1405-0177.
     Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved 
Collection.
     Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Passport 
Services Directorate.
     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: 30,000.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 30,000.
     Average Time per Response: 10 minutes.
     Total Estimated Burden Time: 5,000 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 general 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 18 
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. 
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.

Zachary Parker,
Director.
[FR Doc. 2020-26068 Filed 11-24-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-06-P