SUPPORTING STATEMENT

**Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service**

**(Form N-426)**

# OMB No. 1615-0053

**A. Justification:**

1.  As provided for in 8 CFR Part 328 and section 329 of the Immigration
    and Nationality Act (Act), certain aliens applying to become
    naturalized United States citizens on the basis of honorable service
    in the U.S. armed services, file Form N-426 with their
    naturalization application to verify such military or naval service.

2\. The Form N-426 is used by naturalization applicants to document
honorable service in the U.S. armed forces. The form is filed with U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) along with the Form N-400.
The Department of Defense (DOD) record centers check and certify the
applicant\'s military or naval service on the Form N-426. USCIS reviews
the form as part of the process to determine the applicant\'s
eligibility for the naturalization benefit. This form is being revised
(see table of changes).

3\. In this case, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) does
not employ the use of information technology in collecting and
processing information. However, this form can be completed
electronically by the applicant. The applicant cannot submit this form
to USCIS electronically because once the form is completed by the
applicant it is transmitted to the appropriate branch of service at the
Department of Defense (DOD) to be certified. Once certified, the
applicant will submit the Form N-426 along with the completed Form
N-400, Application for Naturalization. The Form N-400 has been scheduled
for e-filing under the business transformation project.

4.  A search of USCIS' automated forms tracking system was accomplished
    and revealed no duplication. There is no similar data collected.

5.  This collection of information does not have an impact on small
    businesses or other small entities.

6.  If this information is not collected, USCIS will be unable to
    certify the applicant\'s record of honorable military or naval
    service to satisfy the statutory requirements for naturalization.
    Without the form, which is used by DOD record centers to verify the
    service records, it would be extremely difficult, burdensome and
    time consuming for the applicant to attempt to gather this
    information. The form facilitates the information collection process
    in a comprehensive and definitive manner, enabling USCIS to
    determine the applicant\'s eligibility for the naturalization
    benefit.

7\. There are no special circumstances applicable to this information
collection.

8\. On March 19, 2008, USCIS published a 60-day notice in the Federal
Register at 73 FR 14829. USCIS did not receive any comments for this
information collection.

9\. USCIS does not provide payments or gifts to respondents in exchange
for a benefit sought.

10\. There is no assurance of confidentiality.

11\. There are no questions of a sensitive nature.

12\. [Annual Reporting Burden:]{.underline}

a.  Number of Respondents: 45,000

b.  Number of Responses per Respondent: 1

c.  Total Annual Response: 45,000

d.  Hours per Response: 0.75

e.  Total Annual Reporting Burden: 33,750

## Annual Burden Hours

> **Total annual reporting burden hours are 33,750.** This number is
> calculated by multiplying the number of respondents (45,000) x (1)
> number of responses x 45 minutes (.75) hours per response.

13\. There are no capital or start-up costs associated with this
information collection. Any cost burdens to respondents as a result of
this collection are identified in item 14. There is no fee charge
associated with the collection of this information.

14\. [Annualized Cost Analysis:]{.underline}

Printing Cost \$ 28,350

Collecting and Processing \$ 2,025,000

Total Cost to Program \$ 2,053,000

Fee Charge \$ 0

Total Cost to Government \$ 2,053,350

**Government Cost**

> **The cost of the program to the Government is \$2,053,350.** This
> figure is calculated by multiplying the estimated number of
> respondents (45,000) x 1 hour (USCIS time required to collect and
> process information) x \$40 (which includes the suggested average
> hourly rate for clerical, officer, and managerial time with benefits).
> This estimate also includes the number of respondents (45,000)
> multiplied by 15 minutes (.25) (DOD time required to verify and
> complete information on the application) x \$20 (suggested average
> hourly rate for verifiers with benefits). In addition, the cost
> includes estimated overhead cost for printing, stocking, distributing
> and processing of this form.

## Public Cost

> **The estimated annual public cost is \$337,500.** This is based on
> the number of respondents (45,000) x 45 minutes (.75) per response x
> \$10 (average hourly rate).

15\. There has been no increase or decrease in the estimated annual
burden hours previously reported for this information collection.

16\. USCIS does not intend to employ the use of statistics or the
publication thereof for this collection of information.

17\. USCIS will display the expiration date for OMB approval of this
information collection.

18\. USCIS does not request an exception to the certification of this
information collection.

B.  **Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods.**

**C. Certification and Signature.**

### PAPERWORK CERTIFICATION

###  In submitting this request for OMB approval, I certify that the requirements of the Privacy Act and OMB directives have been complied with including paperwork regulations, statistical standards or directives, and any other information policy directives promulgated under 5 CFR 1320.

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\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**Stephen Tarragon,** **Date**

[Acting Chief]{.underline},

[Regulatory Management Division]{.underline},

[U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services]{.underline},

[Department of Homeland Security]{.underline}.