60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances for Issuance of a U.S. Passport to a Minor Under Age 16

ACTION:

Notice of request for public comment.

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 May 31, 2016.

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-2016-0017” in the Search field. Then click the “Comment Now” button and complete the comment form.
• Email: PPTFormsOfficer@state.gov
• Regular Mail: Send written comments to: U.S. Department of Sta., P.O. Box 1227, Sterling, Virginia 20166-1227.

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 U.S. Department of State, PPT Forms Officer, 44132 Mercure Cir., P.O. Box 1227, Sterling, Virginia 20166-1227, who may be reached on 202-485-6538 or at PPTFormsOfficer@state.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

• Title of Information Collection: Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances for Issuance of a U.S. Passport to a Minor under Age 16.
• OMB Control Number: 1405-0216.
• Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection.
• Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Passport Services CA/PPT.
• Form Number: DS-5525.
• Respondents: Individuals or Households.
• Estimated Number of Respondents: 43,526 respondents.
• Estimated Number of Responses: 43,526 responses.
• Average Time Per Response: 30 minutes.
• Total Estimated Burden Time: 21,763 hours.
• Frequency: On occasion.
• Obligation to Respond: Required to Obtain or Retain 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 information collected on the DS-5525, “Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances for Issuance of a U.S. Passport to a Minor under Age 16”, is used in conjunction with the DS-11, “Application for a U.S. Passport”. The DS-5525 can serve as the statement describing exigent or special family circumstances, which is required if written consent of the non-applying parent or guardian cannot be obtained when the passport application is executed for a minor under age 16.

Methodology: Passport Services collects information from U.S. citizens and non-citizen nationals when they complete and submit the DS-5525, “Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances for Issuance of a U.S. Passport to a Minor under Age 16”. Passport applicants can either download the DS-5525 from the internet or obtain the form from an Acceptance Facility/Passport Agency. The form must be completed, signed, and submitted along with the applicant's DS-11, “Application for a U.S. Passport”.