30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Application for a U.S. Passport: Corrections, Name Change Within 1 Year of Passport Issuance, and Limited Passport Holders

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 September 28, 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: oira_submission@omb.eop.gov. You must include the DS form number, information collection title, and the OMB control number in the subject line of your message.
• Fax: 202-395-5806. 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 (202) 485-6373, or by email at PPTFormsOfficer@state.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

• Title of Information Collection: Application for a U.S. Passport: Corrections, Name Change Within 1 Year of Passport Issuance, And Limited Passport Holders.
• OMB Control Number: 1405-0160.
• 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-5504.
• Respondents: Individuals.
• Estimated Number of Respondents: 136,833.
• Estimated Number of Responses: 136,833.
• Average Time per Response: 40 minutes.
• Total Estimated Burden Time: 91,222 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: Under 22 United States Code (U.S.C.) Section 211a et seq. and Executive Order 11295 (August 5, 1966), the Secretary of State issues U.S. passports to U.S. citizens and non-citizen nationals. When the bearer of a valid U.S. passport applies for a new passport with corrected personal data or when the bearer of a limited validity passport applies for a fully-valid replacement passport, the Department must confirm the applicant's identity and eligibility before the Department can issue the new passport to the applicant. Form DS-5504 requests information needed to determine whether the applicant is eligible to receive this service in accordance with the requirements of Title III of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (U.S.C. 1402-1504), the regulations at 22 CFR parts 50 and 51, and other applicable treaties and laws.

Methodology: Passport applicants can either download the DS-5504 from the internet or obtain one from an Acceptance Facility/Passport Agency. The form must be completed, signed, and submitted along with the applicant's valid U.S. passport and supporting documents for corrective action.

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 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-5504 includes updated instruction regarding the eyeglass policy change, which prohibits 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.