[Infowarrior] - New State Dept passport application is INSANE

[Richard Forno]

(c/o PM)

Somebody please tell me this proposed application for a US passport/renewal isn't some giant USG-sponsored hoax.  This is almost as bad as applying for a DOD clearance.....and DOD doesn't ask if you've been circumcised!   As PM told me, "I guess they [USG] don't want you leaving the country then."   Let us hope cooler minds prevail, and/or this is all just some poor April Fools' prank.   --- rick


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS-5513, Biographical Questionnaire for U.S. Passport, 1405-XXXX
http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/02/24/2011-4154/60-day-notice-of-proposed-information-collection-ds-5513-biographical-questionnaire-for-us-passport

BIOGRAPHICAL QUESTIONNAIRE FOR A U.S. PASSPORT
http://papersplease.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ds5513-proposed.pdf



-- more info --

State Dept. proposes “Biographical Questionnaire” for passport applicants

The U.S. Department of State is proposing a new Biographical Questionnaire for passport applicants. The proposed new Form DS-5513 asks for all addresses since birth; lifetime employment history including employers’ and supervisors names, addresses, and telephone numbers; personal details of all siblings; mother’s address one year prior to your birth; any “religious ceremony” around the time of birth; and a variety of other information.  According to the proposed form, “failure to provide the information requested may result in … the denial of your U.S. passport application.”

The State Department estimated that the average respondent would be able to compile all this information in just 45 minutes, which is obviously absurd given the amount of research that is likely to be required to even attempt to complete the form.

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http://www.papersplease.org/wp/2011/03/18/state-dept-proposes-biographical-questionnaire-for-passport-applicants/