2017-13328. 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 directly to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) up to July 26, 2017.

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, by mail to PPT Forms Officer, U.S. Department of State, CA/PPT/S/L/LA, 44132 Mercure Cir, P.O. Box 1227, Sterling, VA 20166-1227, by phone at [phone], or by email at [e-mail].

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 Legal Affairs and Law Enforcement Liaison (CA/PPT/S/L).
• Form Number: DS-10.
• Respondents: Individuals.
• Estimated Number of Respondents: 22,056.
• Estimated Number of Responses: 22,056.
• Average Time per Response: 40 minutes.
• Total Estimated Burden Time: 14,711 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: The 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 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 show U.S. nationality by providing a birth certificate, filed within a year of their birth, showing the applicant was born in the United States or outlying possession. Some applicants, however, may have been born in the United States or outlying possession, but were never issued a birth certificate, or have a late filed 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 or outlying possession, despite never having been issued a birth certificate or possessing a late filed 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 the likelihood that the affiant has actual knowledge of the circumstances of the applicant's birth.

Methodology: When needed, a Birth Affidavit is completed at the time a person applies for a U.S. passport.

Brenda S. Sprague,

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