DS-11 Expires 043025 Justification Statement - Supporting Statement for Paperwork Reduction Act Submission

Sep 19, 2026

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A supporting justification statement for the Paperwork Reduction Act submission covering the U.S. Passport Application (Form DS-11) under OMB Number 1405-0004. It explains why DS-11 data collection is legally authorized and necessary to determine identity, nationality, and eligibility for passport issuance, including required regulatory references. It describes the intended business use, retention and permissible sharing under the Privacy Act, and limits on electronic submission while noting online availability and barcode processing. It addresses duplication, small-business impact, consequences of non-collection, and special collection circumstances requiring coordinated systems development and testing.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

A. Justification

Why is this collection necessary and what legal statutes allow it?

What business purpose is the information gathered going to be used for?

Is this collection able to be completed electronically?

Does this collection duplicate any other collection of information?

Describe any impacts on small business.

What are consequences if this collection is not done?

Are there any special collection circumstances?

Document publication and public comments request

SUPPORTING STATEMENT FOR PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SUBMISSION Application for a U.S. Passport OMB Number 1405-0004 Form DS-11 A. JUSTIFICATION 1. Why is this collection necessary and what are the legal statutes that allow this? The Application for a U.S. Passport (form DS-11) is used by citizens and non-citizen nationals (hereinafter collectively referred to as “nationals”) of the United States who are applying for a U.S. passport and who must apply in person. The DS-11 solicits data necessary for the Department of State (Department) to issue a U.S. passport (book and/or card format) in the exercise of authorities granted to the Secretary of State in 22 United States Code (U.S.C.) Section 211a et seq., and Executive Order (E.O.) 11295 (August 5, 1966) for the issuance of passports to U.S. nationals. The issuance of U.S. passports requires the determination of identity, nationality, and entitlement with reference to the provisions of Title III of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. sections 1401-1504), the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, and other applicable laws, as well as the implementing regulations of 22 C.F.R. Parts 50 and 51. Authority to collect the respondent’s Social Security number is also in 26 U. S.C. 6039E and 22 U.S.C. 2714a(f) (see response 11, below) . The specific regulations pertaining to the Application for a U.S. Passport are in 22 C.F.R. 51.20 through 51.28. 2. What business purpose is the information gathered going to be used for? The information collected on the DS-11 is used primarily to facilitate the issuance of passports to U.S. nationals. The primary purpose for soliciting the information is to establish identity, nationality, and entitlement to the issuance of a United States passport or related service, and to properly administer and enforce the laws pertaining to issuance thereof. The DS-11 is retained in the files of the Department along with other documentation related to passport applications, adjudication, and issuance. Among other uses within the Department, these records are consulted when a U.S. passport has been lost and the bearer has no evidence of nationality available, or in support of any derivative claims to nationality made by the passport bearer’s children. The records may also be consulted by consular personnel in the event of an emergency abroad involving U.S. citizens; the application has a block for the name, address, and telephone number of a person to notify in the event of an emergency. Information from the DS-11 may also be shared with certain parties outside of the Department, as permitted by the Privacy Act of 1974, as SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED amended, including as set forth in the Department’s Prefatory Statement of Routine Uses, the Department’s System of Records Notice (SORN) for Passport Records (STATE-26), and the SORN for Overseas Citizens Services Records and Other Overseas Records (STATE-05) available in the Federal Register and online at [https://www.state.gov/system-of-records-notices-privacy-office/](https://www.state.gov/system-of-records-notices-privacy-office/. The DS-11 becomes)[. The DS-11 becomes](https://www.state.gov/system-of-records-notices-privacy-office/. The DS-11 becomes)[ ](https://www.state.gov/system-of-records-notices-privacy-office/. The DS-11 becomes)[part of the applicant](part of the applicant)’[s passport file which is covered by the Privacy Act](s passport file which is covered by the Privacy Act). The information contained in this file cannot be released except as provided by the Privacy and Freedom of Information Acts. 3. Is this collection able to be completed electronically (e.g., through a website or application)? The DS-11 is currently available online at [travel.state.gov](travel.state.gov. However)[. However](travel.state.gov. However), the DS-11 cannot be submitted electronically. As required by 22 U.S.C. 213 and 22 C.F.R. Part 51, all DS- 11 applicants

FAQs

Why is Form DS-11 necessary under the Paperwork Reduction Act submission?

Form DS-11 collects information required for the Department of State to issue a U.S. passport (book and/or card) for applicants who must apply in person. The statement links the collection to statutory and regulatory authority for determining identity, nationality, and eligibility.

What is the business purpose of the information collected on DS-11?

The information primarily facilitates passport issuance by establishing identity, nationality, and entitlement, and by enabling administration and enforcement of the relevant issuance laws. Records are retained for internal use, including handling lost passports and certain derivative nationality claims.

Can DS-11 be submitted electronically?

DS-11 is available online and can be filled out online and printed, but it cannot be submitted electronically. Applicants must appear in person to execute the application, after which a 2-D barcode is printed and scanned to record applicant information efficiently.

Sep 19, 2026

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