Affidavit of Identifying Witness

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
Form DS-0071 Affidavit of Identifying Witness Form and Instruction	Modified
Legal_Authorities_DS-71_30day.doc Supplementary Document	2019-03-26
Final - DS-71 Supporting Statement 5-21-2019.docx Supporting Statement A	2019-06-12

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
14904	Affidavit of Identifying Witness Form and Instruction	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1405-0088	ICR Reference No: 201903-1405-002
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201602-1405-013
Agency/Subagency: STATE/AFA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Affidavit of Identifying Witness
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved with change	Conclusion Date: 06/13/2019
	Date Received in OIRA: 03/26/2019
Terms of Clearance: Updated burden estimations generally and cost of travel to respondents specifically.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	06/30/2022	36 Months From Approved	06/30/2019
Responses	50,600	0	61,000
Time Burden (Hours)	12,650	0	5,083
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: The Affidavit of identifying witness is submitted in conjunction with a application for a U.S. passport. It is used by Passport Services to collect information for the purpose of establishing the identify 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.

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Authorizing Statute(s): EO: EO 11295 Name/Subject of EO: Rules governing the granting, issuing, and verifying of United States passports Rules govern
   US Code: 22 USC 211 Name of Law: Authority to grant, issue, and verify passports
  

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:
	83 FR 67459	12/28/2018
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	84 FR 11389	03/26/2019
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
Affidavit of Identifying Witness	DS-0071	AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTIFYING WITNESS

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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	50,600	61,000	0	0	-10,400	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	12,650	5,083	0	0	7,567	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

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

Burden Increase Due to:

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

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: The program change reflects a decrease in respondents’ use of this form from 61,000 in 2015 to 50,600 (annual average projected for FY 18 – 20). This decrease may be attributed in part to the greater availability of public records online which the Department may search and use to corroborate an applicant’s identity, reducing the need for an identifying witness to complete a DS-0071.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $29,323

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

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

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: 03/26/2019

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