2011-26362. Agency Information Collection Activities: Form N-470, Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection; Comment Request

ACTION:

60-Day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Form N-470, Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization.

The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will be submitting the following information collection request for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The information collection is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for 60 days until December 12, 2011.

This information collection was previously published as an extension of a currently approved information collection in the Federal Register on August 12, 2011, at 76 FR 50237, for a 60-day public comment period. Subsequently, USCIS decided to conduct a comprehensive revision of Form N-470 instead of extending the current edition. USCIS invites members of the public who commented on the 60-day extension to submit their comments on the revised form.

Written comments and suggestions regarding items contained in this notice, and especially with regard to the estimated public burden and associated response time should be directed to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), USCIS, Chief, Regulatory Products Division, 20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20529-2020. Comments may also be submitted to DHS via facsimile to 202-272-0997, or via e-mail at [e-mail]. When submitting comments by e-mail please add the OMB Control Number 1615-0056 in the subject box.

Note:

The address listed in this notice should only be used to submit comments concerning this information collection. Please do not submit requests for individual case status inquiries to this address. If you are seeking information about the status of your individual case, please check “My Case Status” online at: https://egov.uscis.gov/​cris/​Dashboard.do,, or call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the collection of information should address one or more of the following four points:

(1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

Overview of This Information Collection

(1) Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved information collection.

(2) Title of the Form/Collection: Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization.

(3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department of Homeland Security sponsoring the collection: Form N-470, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract: Primary: Individuals or households. The information collected on Form N-470 will be used to determine whether an alien who intends to be absent from the United States for a period of one year or more is eligible to preserve residence for naturalization purposes.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: 525 responses at 36 minutes (.6 hours) per response.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: 315 annual burden hours.

If you need a copy of the information collection instrument, please visit: http://www.regulations.gov.

We may also be contacted at: USCIS, Regulatory Products Division, Office of the Executive Secretariat, 20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20529-2020, Telephone number 202-272-8377.

Dated: October 6, 2011.

Sunday A. Aigbe,

Chief, Regulatory Products Division, Office of the Executive Secretariat, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security.