[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 28, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73729-73730]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-28165]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; U.S. Census--Age Search

AGENCY: Census Bureau, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, invites the general public and other 
Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information 
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information 
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The 
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment on the 
proposed extension, of U.S. Census--Age Search, prior to the submission 
of the information collection request (ICR) to OMB for approval.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed 
information collection must be received on or before February 28, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments by 
email to [email protected]. Please reference U.S. Census--Age 
Search in the subject line of your comments. You may also submit 
comments, identified by Docket Number USBC-0607-0117, to the Federal e-
Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. All comments received 
are part of the public record. No comments will be posted to http://www.regulations.gov for public viewing until after the comment period 
has closed. Comments will generally be posted without change. All 
Personally Identifiable Information (for example, name and address) 
voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do 
not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or 
protected information. You may submit attachments to electronic 
comments in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed 
to Debbie Johnson, Chief, Fiscal Services Office, National Processing 
Center. Ms. Johnson can be reached by telephone on 812-218-3053 or by 
email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau proposes an extension of the Age Search Service 
Program. The Age Search is a service provided by the U.S. Census Bureau 
for persons who need official transcripts of personal data as proof of 
age for pensions, retirement plans, Medicare, and Social Security. The 
transcripts are also used as proof of citizenship to obtain passports 
or to provide evidence of family relationship for rights of 
inheritance. The Age Search forms are used by the public in order to 
provide the Census Bureau with the necessary information to conduct a 
search of historical population decennial census records in order to 
provide the requested transcript. The Age Search service is self-
supporting and is funded by the fees collected from the individuals 
requesting the service.

II. Method of Collection

    The Form BC-600, Application for Search of Census Records, is a 
paper public-use form that is submitted by applicants requesting 
information from the decennial census records. This application form is 
available online in PDF format for individuals to download and 
complete. Applicants must enclose the appropriate fee by check or money 
order with the completed and signed Form BC-600 or BC-600(SP) and 
return by mail to the U.S. Census Bureau, Post Office Box 1545, 
Jeffersonville, Indiana 47131.
    The Form BC-649 (L), which is called a Not Found Letter, advises 
the applicant that the search for information from the census records 
was unsuccessful. The BC-658 (L) is sent to the applicant when 
insufficient information has been received on which to base a search of 
the census records. These two forms request additional information from 
the applicant to aid in the search of census records.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0117.
    Form Number(s): BC-600, BC-600(SP), BC-649(L), and BC-658(L).

[[Page 73730]]

    Type of Review: Regular submission, Request for an Extension.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Total 2,885 respondents.
BC-600 2,426 respondents
BC-649(L) 449 respondents
BC-658(L) 10 respondents

    Estimated Time Per Response:
BC-600 12 minutes
BC-649(L) 6 minutes
BC-658(L) 6 minutes
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 531 hours.

    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $167,394. The Age Search 
processing fee is $65.00 per case. An additional charge of $20 per case 
for expedited requests requiring results within one day is also 
available. It is expected that 485 individuals will request the 
expedited service.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C., section 8.

IV. Request for Comments

    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau 
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether 
the information will have practical utility; (b) 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; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden 
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include, or summarize, each comment in our 
request to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, 
phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information 
in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--
including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly 
available at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold 
your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2021-28165 Filed 12-27-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P