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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 232 (Friday, December 2, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 75599]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-31065]

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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 7704]

60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS-71, 
Affidavit of Identifying Witness, 1405-0088

ACTION: Notice of request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. 
The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment in 
the Federal Register preceding submission to OMB. We are conducting 
this process in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
     Title of Information Collection: Affidavit of Identifying 
Witness.
     OMB Control Number: 1405-0088.
     Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved 
Collection.
     Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, CA/PPT/
PMO/PC.
     Form Number: DS-71.
     Respondents: Individuals who are verifying identity of a 
passport applicant.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 44,000 per year.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 44,000 per year.
     Average Hours Per Response: 5 min.
     Total Estimated Burden: 3667 hours.
     Frequency: On Occasion.
     Obligation to Respond: Required to Obtain a Benefit.

DATES: The Department will accept comments from the public up to 60 
days from December 2, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     Email: PPTFormsOfficer@state.gov.
     Mail (paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions): Passport Forms 
Management Officer, U.S. Department of State, Office of Program 
Management and Operational Support, 2100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Room 
3031, Washington, DC 20037.
    You must include the DS form number (if applicable), information 
collection title, and 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 information collection and 
supporting documents, to Passport Forms Management and Officer, U.S. 
Department of State, Office of Program Management and Operational 
Support, 2100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Room 3031, Washington, DC 20037, 
who may be reached on (202) 663-2457 or at PPTFormsOfficer@state.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are soliciting public comments to permit 
the Department to:
     Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper performance of our functions.
     Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the 
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 
technology.

Abstract of Proposed Collection

    The Affidavit of Identifying Witness is submitted in conjunction 
with an application for a U.S. passport. It is used by Passport 
Services to collect information for the purpose of establishing the 
identity of the applicant. This application is completed by the 
identifying witness when the applicant is unable to establish his or 
her identity to the satisfaction of a person authorized to accept 
passport applications.

Methodology

    The Affidavit of Identifying Witness is submitted in conjunction 
with an application for a U.S. passport. Due to legislative mandates 
Form DS-0071 is only available at acceptance facilities and passport 
agencies. This form must be completed and signed in the presence of an 
authorized Passport Agent, Acceptance Agent, or Consular Officer.

    Dated: November 15, 2011.
Barry J. Conway,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Passport Services, Bureau of 
Consular Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2011-31065 Filed 12-1-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-06-P
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