SUPPORTING STATEMENT
Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service
(Form N-426)
A. Justification:
As provided for in 8 CFR Part 328 and section 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (Act), certain aliens applying to become naturalized United States citizens on the basis of honorable service in the U.S. armed services, file Form N-426 with their naturalization application to verify such military or naval service.
2. The Form N-426 is used by naturalization applicants to document honorable service in the U.S. armed forces. The form is filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) along with the Form N-400. The Department of Defense (DOD) record centers check and certify the applicant's military or naval service on the Form N-426. USCIS reviews the form as part of the process to determine the applicant's eligibility for the naturalization benefit. This form is being revised (see table of changes).
3. In this case, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) does not employ the use of information technology in collecting and processing information. However, this form can be completed electronically by the applicant. The applicant cannot submit this form to USCIS electronically because once the form is completed by the applicant it is transmitted to the appropriate branch of service at the Department of Defense (DOD) to be certified. Once certified, the applicant will submit the Form N-426 along with the completed Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. The Form N-400 has been scheduled for e-filing under the business transformation project.
A search of USCIS’ automated forms tracking system was accomplished and revealed no duplication. There is no similar data collected.
This collection of information does not have an impact on small businesses or other small entities.
If this information is not collected, USCIS will be unable to certify the applicant's record of honorable military or naval service to satisfy the statutory requirements for naturalization. Without the form, which is used by DOD record centers to verify the service records, it would be extremely difficult, burdensome and time consuming for the applicant to attempt to gather this information. The form facilitates the information collection process in a comprehensive and definitive manner, enabling USCIS to determine the applicant's eligibility for the naturalization benefit.
7. There are no special circumstances applicable to this information collection.
8. On March 19, 2008, USCIS published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register at 73 FR 14829. USCIS did not receive any comments for this information collection.
9. USCIS does not provide payments or gifts to respondents in exchange for a benefit sought.
10. There is no assurance of confidentiality.
11. There are no questions of a sensitive nature.
12. Annual Reporting Burden:
Number of Respondents: 45,000
Number of Responses per Respondent: 1
Total Annual Response: 45,000
Hours per Response: 0.75
Total Annual Reporting Burden: 33,750
Total annual reporting burden hours are 33,750. This number is calculated by multiplying the number of respondents (45,000) x (1) number of responses x 45 minutes (.75) hours per response.
13. There are no capital or start-up costs associated with this information collection. Any cost burdens to respondents as a result of this collection are identified in item 14. There is no fee charge associated with the collection of this information.
14. Annualized Cost Analysis:
Printing Cost $ 28,350
Collecting and Processing $ 2,025,000
Total Cost to Program $ 2,053,000
Fee Charge $ 0
Total Cost to Government $ 2,053,350
Government Cost
The cost of the program to the Government is $2,053,350. This figure is calculated by multiplying the estimated number of respondents (45,000) x 1 hour (USCIS time required to collect and process information) x $40 (which includes the suggested average hourly rate for clerical, officer, and managerial time with benefits). This estimate also includes the number of respondents (45,000) multiplied by 15 minutes (.25) (DOD time required to verify and complete information on the application) x $20 (suggested average hourly rate for verifiers with benefits). In addition, the cost includes estimated overhead cost for printing, stocking, distributing and processing of this form.
The estimated annual public cost is $337,500. This is based on the number of respondents (45,000) x 45 minutes (.75) per response x $10 (average hourly rate).
15. There has been no increase or decrease in the estimated annual burden hours previously reported for this information collection. Minor changes have been made to the form that will not affect the reporting burden (see attached table of changes).
16. USCIS does not intend to employ the use of statistics or the publication thereof for this collection of information.
17. USCIS will display the expiration date for OMB approval of this information collection.
18. USCIS does not request an exception to the certification of this information collection.
Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods.
C. Certification and Signature.
_______________________________________ _____________
Stephen Tarragon, Date
Acting Chief,
Regulatory Management Division,
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,
Department of Homeland Security.
| File Type | application/msword |
| File Title | SUPPORTING STATEMENT |
| Author | Sherry Atkins |
| Last Modified By | S. Tarragon |
| File Modified | 2008-06-12 |
| File Created | 2008-06-12 |