2013-05651. 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen U.S. Passport Book and/or Card

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 directly to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) up to April 11, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

Direct comments to the Department of State Desk Officer in the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). You may submit comments by the following methods:

• Email: [e-mail]. You must include the DS form number, information collection title, and the OMB control number in the subject line of your message.
• Fax: [phone]. Attention: Desk Officer for Department of State.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Direct requests for additional information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including requests for copies of the proposed collection instrument and supporting documents, to PPT Forms Officer, U.S. Department of State, 2100 Pennsylvania Avenue. NW., Room 3030, Washington, DC 20037, who may be reached on [phone] or at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

• Title of Information Collection: Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen U.S. Passport Book and/or Card
• OMB Control Number: 1405-0014
• Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection
• Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Passport Services, Office of Program Management and Operational Support, Program Coordination Division (CA/PPT/S/PMO/PC)
• Form Number: DS-64
• Respondents: Individuals or Households
• Estimated Number of Respondents: 991,351 respondents per year
• Estimated Number of Responses: 991,351 responses per year
• Average Time per Response: 5 minutes
• Total Estimated Burden Time: 82,612 hours per year
• Frequency: On occasion
• Obligation to Respond: Required to Obtain or Retain 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:

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). Department regulations provide that individuals whose valid or potentially valid U.S. passports were lost or stolen must make a report of the lost or stolen passport to the Department of State before they receive a new passport, so that the lost or stolen passport can be invalidated (22 CFR parts 50 and 51). The Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002 (8 U.S.C. 1737) requires the Department of State to collect accurate information on lost or stolen U.S. passports and to enter that information into a data system. Form DS-64 collects information identifying the person who held the lost or stolen passport and describing the circumstances under which the passport was lost or stolen. As required by the cited authorities, we use the information collected to accurately identify the passport that must be invalidated and to make a record of the circumstances surrounding the lost or stolen passport. False statements made knowingly or willfully on passport forms, in affidavits or other supporting documents are punishable by fine and/or imprisonment under U.S. law. (18 U.S.C. 1001, 1542-1544).

Methodology:

This form is used in conjunction with a DS-11, “Application for a U.S. Passport”, or submitted separately to report loss or theft of a U.S. passport. Passport Services collects the information when a U.S. citizen or non-citizen national applies for a new U.S. passport and has been issued a previous, still valid U.S. passport that has been lost or stolen, or when a passport holder independently reports it lost or stolen. Passport applicants can either download the form from the Internet or obtain the form at any Passport Agency, Acceptance Facility, Embassy, or Consulate.

Additional Information:

In addition to general format changes, the following content changes have been made to the form:

• Section 1—the field “Driver's License or Military ID Number” was added to assist in the prevention of fraudulently submitted DS-64 forms.
• Section 2—was revised in its entirety breaking out the two main questions into items 2a through 2e to more efficiently organize the information we are requesting from the applicant.
• Section 3—A numbered, dark blue ribbon with instructions was added to clearly delineate the form sections and thereby assist the applicant to more efficiently review the information on the form.
• Section 3—the Department included a second signature and date line to allow for the signature of a second Parent/Guardian, if present, in keeping with the requirements of the DS-11 form.
• Section 3—at the bottom of this section, the Department added the following text below the second signature and date line:

For a child under 16 “This form must be mailed in” and both parents or the child's legal guardians(s) must sign the form. In case of sole custody, include a copy of the supporting document (court order) with this form.

The Department estimates that these changes will not result in an increase in the current burden time of 5 minutes per respondent.

Dated: February 25, 2013.

Brenda S. Sprague,

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Passport Services, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of State.