81 FR 89181 - 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Birth Affidavit

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 237 (December 9, 2016)

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 81, Number 237 (Friday, December 9, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 89181]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29533]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 9796]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Birth Affidavit

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment and submission to OMB of 
proposed collection of information.

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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 
February 7, 2017.

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-2016-0076'' 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, by mail to PPT Forms Officer, U.S. Department of 
State, CA/PPT/S/L 44132 Mercure Cir, P.O. Box 1227 , Sterling, VA 
20166-1227, or [email protected].

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/LA).
     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 United States 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 showing the applicant was born in the United States. Some 
applicants, however, may have been born in the United States (and 
subject to its jurisdiction), but were never issued a 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, despite never having been issued a U.S. 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.
[FR Doc. 2016-29533 Filed 12-8-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4710-06-P