2016-16522. 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Supplemental Questionnaire To Determine Identity 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 August 11, 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: Supplemental Questionnaire to Determine Identity for a U.S. Passport.
• OMB Control Number: 1405-0215.
• Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection.
• Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Passport Services, Office of Legl Affairs and Law Enforcement Liaison (CA/PPT/S/L/LA).
• Form Number: DS-5520.
• Respondents: Individuals.
• Estimated Number of Respondents: 82,347.
• Estimated Number of Responses: 82,347.
• Average Time per Response: 45 minutes.
• Total Estimated Burden Time: 61,760 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 primary purpose for soliciting this information is to validate an identity claim for a U.S. Passport Book or Passport Card in the narrow category of cases in which the evidence presented by an applicant is insufficient to establish identity. The information may also be used in adjudicating applications for other travel documents and services, and in connection with law enforcement, fraud prevention, border security, counterterrorism, litigation activities, and administrative purposes.

Methodology: The Supplemental Questionnaire to Determine Identity for a U.S. Passport is intended to verify the respondent's identity for purposes of determining eligibility for a U.S. Passport. This form is used to supplement an existing passport application and solicits information relating to the respondent's employment and residences needed to corroborate an applicant's identity claim prior to passport issuance. The form is available on the Department's Web site, where it can be filled out online and printed for submission.

Additional information: 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 an application for a U.S. passport when the applicant fails to include his or her Social Security number.

Dated: July 1, 2016.

Brenda S. Sprague,

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