80 FR 18275 - 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection; Electronic Choice of Address and Agent

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 64 (April 3, 2015)

The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. 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 60 days for public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 64 (Friday, April 3, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18275-18276]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-07695]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 9079]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection; Electronic 
Choice of Address and Agent

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. 
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 60 days for 
public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES: The Department will accept comments from the public up to June 
2, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     Web: Persons with access to the Internet may comment on 
this notice by going to www.Regulations.gov. You can search for the 
document by entering ``Docket Number: DOS-2015-0014'' in the Search 
field. Then click the ``Comment Now'' button and complete the comment 
form.
     Email: [email protected].
    You must include the DS form number (if applicable), information 
collection title, and the OMB control number in any correspondence.

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 Sydney Taylor at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
     Title of Information Collection: Electronic Choice of 
Address and Agent.
     OMB Control Number: 1405-0186.
     Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved 
Collection.
     Originating Office: CA/VO/L/R.
     Form Number: DS-261.
     Respondents: Immigrant Visa Applicants.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 580,000.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 580,000.
     Average Time Per Response: 10 minutes.
     Total Estimated Burden Time: 96,666 hours.
     Frequency: Once Per Respondent.
     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

[[Page 18276]]

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-261 allows the beneficiary of an approved immigrant visa 
petition to provide the Department with his or her current address, 
which will be used for communications with the beneficiary. The DS-261 
also allows the beneficiary to appoint an agent to receive 
communications relevant to the beneficiary's visa application from the 
National Visa Center (NVC) and assist in the filing of various 
application forms and/or paying the required fees. The beneficiary is 
not required to use an agent. The NVC can contact them directly. If the 
beneficiary chooses to serve as their own agent and have the NVC 
contact them directly, they will need to provide the NVC with their 
current contact information. All cases will be held at NVC until the 
DS-261 is electronically submitted to the Department.

Methodology

    Applicants will submit the DS-261 electronically to the Department 
via the internet. Applicants who submit the electronic form will no 
longer submit paper-based applications to the Department.

    Dated: March 26, 2015.
Karin King,
Managing Director, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2015-07695 Filed 4-2-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4710-06-P