2016-15400. 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Application for a U.S. Passport

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 29, 2016.

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: Application for a U.S. Passport.
• OMB Control Number: 1405-0004.
• Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection.
• Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Passport Services, Office of Legal Affairs and Law Enforcement Liaison (CA/PPT/S/L/LA).
• Form Number: DS-11.
• Respondents: Individuals.
• Estimated Number of Respondents: 11,763,831.
• Estimated Number of Responses: 11,763,831.
• Average Time Per Response: 85 minutes.
• Total Estimated Burden Time: 16,665,427 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 DS-11 solicits data necessary for Passport Services to issue a United States passport (book and/or card format) pursuant to authorities granted to the Secretary of State by 22 U.S.C. 211a et seq. and Executive Order (E.O.) 11295 (August 5, 1966) for the issuance of passports to U.S. nationals.

The issuance of U.S. passports requires the determination of identity, nationality, and entitlement with reference to the provisions of Title III of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. 1401-1504), the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, other applicable treaties and laws, and implementing regulations at 22 CFR parts 50 and 51. The specific regulations pertaining to the Application for a U.S. Passport are at 22 CFR 51.20 through 51.28.

Methodology: The information collected on the DS-11 is used to facilitate the issuance of passports to U.S. citizens and nationals. The primary purpose of soliciting the information is to establish citizenship, identity, and entitlement to the issuance of the U.S. passport or related service, and to properly administer and enforce the laws pertaining to the issuance thereof.

Passport Services collects information from U.S. citizens and non-citizen nationals when they complete and submit the Application for a U.S. Passport. Passport applicants can either download the DS-11 from the internet or obtain one from an Acceptance Facility/Passport Agency. The form must be completed and executed at an acceptance facility or passport agency, and submitted with evidence of citizenship and identity.

Additional Information: The proposed renewal of the DS-11 includes an advisory on the instruction that lawful permanent resident cards (green cards) that are submitted with Form DS-11 will be forwarded to U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services if the applicant is found to be a U.S. citizen. This advisory is consistent with an arrangement between the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security, as green cards are property of the Department of Homeland Security.

The proposed renewal of Form DS-11 also includes new instruction to applicants requiring submission of a photocopy of the applicant's evidence of U.S. citizenship, in addition to the official or certified copy that is currently required. The official or certified copy will continue to be used to determine whether the applicant has a valid claim to U.S. citizenship. The photocopy will be retained by the Department so that the Department has a complete and accurate record of what the applicant submitted with his or her U.S. passport application. Currently, evidence of U.S. citizenship is only annotated on the application, and a certified copy is generally not retained. The Department considered different alternatives to having the applicant submit a photocopy in addition to the official or certified copy; however, none of these alternatives were logistically feasible or cost effective. Based on a resource analysis study, the additional costs for labor, equipment, supplies, facility modifications and obtaining additional space makes it not feasible for the Department to make photocopies of primary citizenship evidence without significantly affecting agency operations and passport processing times. The Department determined that adding the requirement for a photocopy of the applicant's evidence of U.S. citizenship is the only feasible way to create a complete record of the documentation submitted with applications. The Department also believes that retaining copies of applicant's evidence of U.S. citizenship will help the Department develop and deliver online passport applicant services. Applicants currently submit a photocopy of their photo identification.

The Privacy Act statement has been amended to clarify that an applicant's failure to provide his or her Social Security number may result in the denial of an application, consistent with 22 U.S.C 2714a(f) which authorizes the Department to deny U.S. passport applications when the applicant failed to include his or her Social Security number. These requirements and the underlying legal authorities are further described on page 3 of the instruction titled “Federal Tax Law” which has also been amended to include a reference to 22 U.S.C 2714a(f).

Additionally, the proposed renewal of form DS-11 also includes updated instruction regarding the eyeglass policy change, prohibiting applicants from wearing eyeglasses in passport photographs, unless the applicant presents a signed statement from a doctor demonstrating that the glasses must be worn due to medical reasons. The form also states that passport photos may include hats or head coverings only when they are worn continuously as part of recognized, traditional religious attire, or when the hat or head covering is worn for medical purposes as stated by a doctor in a signed statement.

Dated: June 23, 2016.

Brenda S. Sprague,

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