Electronic Choice of Address and Agent

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
Form DS-261 Electronic Choice of Address and Agent Form and Instruction	New
Supporting Statements for the DS-261.doc Supporting Statement A	2009-05-20
Legal Authorities for the DS-261.doc Supplementary Document	2009-05-20

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
189224	Electronic Choice of Address and Agent Form and Instruction	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1405-0186	ICR Reference No: 200905-1405-002
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: STATE/AFA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Electronic Choice of Address and Agent
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 06/19/2009
	Date Received in OIRA: 05/20/2009
Terms of Clearance: DOS to discontinue the ICR for paper-based DS-261 as soon as the electronic version of the form approved under this ICR is operational at all posts.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	06/30/2012	36 Months From Approved
Responses	700,000	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	116,666	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: The DS-261 allows the beneficiary of an approved and current immigrant visa petition to provide the Department with his or her current address, which will be used for communications with the beneficiary. The DS-261 also allows the beneficiary to appoint an agent to receive mailings from the National Visa Center (NVC) and assist in the filing of various application forms and/or paying the required fees. The beneficiary is not required to appoint an agent but must provide current contact information. All cases will be held at NVC until the DS-261 is electronically submitted to the Department. If the form is not submitted within one year, NVC will begin the case termination process.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 8 USC 1101 Name of Law: Immigration and Nationality Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	74 FR 26	02/10/2009
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	74 FR 91	05/13/2009
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Electronic Choice of Address and Agent	DS-261	Electronic Choice of Address and Agent

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	700,000	0	0	700,000	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	116,666	0	0	116,666	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: Burden change is indicated because this is a new collection

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $355,000

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 05/20/2009

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