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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 150 / Monday, August 9, 2021 / Proposed Rules
22 CFR Part 51
Public Notice: 11457
RIN 1400AE68

Passports: Proposed Rule Allowing Passport Applicants Eligible To Apply By Mail for Renewal of Passports the Additional Option To Apply On-Line Department of State.
Proposed rule.

AGENCY:
ACTION:

Pursuant to Department regulations, the renewal of a U.S.
passport must meet certain requirements to qualify for submission of an application by mail. The Department proposes to amend this rule by allowing qualified applicants the option of submitting renewal applications by mail or online via the Departments official website. This amendment will provide more flexibility for the renewal applicant, improve the customer experience, and eliminate the added burden, time, and cost to the customer by providing the on-line option as an alternative to the mail in process.
DATES: The Department of State will accept comments until October 8, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Interested parties may submit comments to the Department by any of the following methods:
Visit the Regulations.govwebsite at:
http www.regulations.gov and search for the docket number DOS20210016.
Email:
PassportOfficeofAdjudicationGeneral@
state.gov. You must include RIN 1400
AE68 in the subject line of your message.
Mail paper submissions: Office of Adjudication, Passport Services, U.S.
Department of State, 44132 Mercure Circle, P.O. Box 1243, Sterling, VA
201661243, ATTN: OPR.
All comments should include the commenters name, the organization the commenter represents, if applicable, and the commenters address. If the Department is unable to read your comment for any reason, and cannot contact you for clarification, the Department may not be able to consider your comment. After the conclusion of the comment period, the Department will publish a Final rule in which it will address relevant comments as expeditiously as possible.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Karen Pizza, Office of Adjudication, Passport Services, 202 4858800, or email PassportOfficeofAdjudicationGeneral@
state.gov.

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SUMMARY:

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16:39 Aug 06, 2021

Currently when applying for a renewal of a U.S.
passport, applicants must meet certain criteria to use the mail-in application form. These mail-in applications are processed through the Lockbox where fees, applicant data, and photo images are captured. The Lockbox transmits this data and the physical applications to a passport agency or center for further processing.
The Department proposes to amend 22 CFR 51.21b, b2, b3; and 51.8a, b, c, d to allow eligible applicants the option to apply on-line via MyTravelGov, which can be found on the Departments official website.
Online Passport Renewal OPR refers to the electronic capability for processing renewal applications in a paperless environment. Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements for using OPR or will be referred to the paper application process. Applicants using OPR will enter their application information and upload their photos directly into the OPR system, and submit their payment through pay.gov. This process will improve efficiency and accessibility by offering online verification of renewal eligibility, electronic photo upload, and electronic payment. Applications received through OPR will automatically enter review queues at a passport agency or center, thus eliminating the physical application and processing at the Lockbox. The new OPR system will improve the customer experience, reduce operational and maintenance costs, and focus on data quality, protection, and traceability. The first release of the OPR system will apply to persons in the United States, with the intent for future releases applying to persons abroad.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

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Regulatory Findings Administrative Procedure Act The Department is publishing this rule as a proposed rule and is providing 60 days for public comments.
Regulatory Flexibility Act The Department of State, in accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act 5 U.S.C. 605b, has reviewed this regulation and, by approving it, certifies that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. This rule gives greater flexibility to applicants residing in the United States, who are applying to renew their U.S. passport.
Unfunded Mandates Act of 1995
This rule will not result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal
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governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any year and it will not significantly or uniquely affect small governments.
Therefore, no actions were deemed necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995.
Congressional Review Act This rule is not a major rule as defined by the Congressional Review Act. This rule will not result in an annual effect on the economy of $100
million or more; a major increase in costs or prices; or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United States-based companies to compete with foreign based companies in domestic and import markets.
Executive Order 12866
This rule is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866, section 3f, Regulatory Planning and Review. The Department does not anticipate that demand for passport services will change as a result of this rule change.
Executive Orders 12372 and 13132
Federalism This regulation will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with section 6 of Executive Order 13132, it is determined that this rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to require consultations or warrant the preparation of a federalism summary impact statement. The regulations implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on Federal programs and activities do not apply to this regulation.
Executive Order 13175Consultation With Tribal Governments The Department has determined that this rulemaking will not have tribal implications, will not impose substantial direct compliance costs on Indian tribal governments, and will not pre-empt tribal law. Accordingly, the requirements of E.O. 13175 do not apply to this proposed rule.
Paperwork Reduction Act This rule does not impose any new reporting or record-keeping requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

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