Time for a new passport?
 

I subscribe to Ed Hasbrouck's blog on the Amazing Race, and in his latest piece he warns readers about a proposal from the State Department for a new questionnaire for passport applications. This is from the site (papersplease.org) he linked:

"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.” [Some info only required if your birth wasn't registered within a year or you weren't born in a "medical facility".]

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."

I thought it might be an elaborate spoof, but apparently not. This is the official request for comments:
http://www.federalregister.gov/artic...or-us-passport

It is not clear whether the proposed questionnaire applies only to new applicants, or also to people renewing their passports. I certainly couldn't answer the whole thing - maybe I'd better renew my existing passport early!

Wow - they think I could find all of that info in 45 minutes? I'm sure lots of us would have many spaces we could not complete - mother's prenatal appointments??? I'm sure my mother could not tell me her street address in the years before and after my birth, though I do know the name of the town in which my parents were living. And I know I couldn't come up with all of the street addresses of places I've lived since birth, and I haven't moved around that much. Boy, does this ever seem like overkill!

Perhaps this is some sort of an April's fool joke? If it's not then I have 7 more years before I have to fill out the form.

I just realized that the questions about prenatal appointments and other such details apply only to persons whose birth was not recorded within a year of their birth OR who were not born in a medical facility. All those kids born at home, delivered by midwives will have to come up with this info, though.

Still, the request for all addresses since birth and all employers seems excessive. I know I couldn't come up with all of the phone numbers, addresses, and supervisors names for all of the jobs I've had.

Ironic that this proposal is coming out at this time. :p

I read about this earlier, and apparently it is only for applicants who "cannot provide concrete evidence of citizenship", not everyone.

Well, amyb, it would be nice if that's true, but the request for comments says it's for: "Respondents: Individuals applying for a U.S. passport." Do you have a citation? I feel like I strayed into the Twilight Zone, 1984 version.

It was one of the travel magazines I get feeds from on Facebook. I really don't have time to go through Facebook feeds from the last two weeks, but I recall reading what they said about it and said "that's not me" so I'm not getting my panties twisted up about it. If you step back and look at it objectively, why would they do this for everyone? Doesn't it make more sense for people with hazy citizenship claims?

I did a quick google search and this backs me up:
http://www.walletpop.com/2011/03/23/...nsane-details/
As does this:
http://www.opednews.com/populum/link...?linkid=128741
which says: "It seems likely that only some, not all, applicants will be required to fill out the new questionnaire, but no criteria have been made public for determining who will be subjected to these additional new written interrogatories."

Further, the supporting statement found on the second link above has this as its first sentence:
"The Biographical Questionnaire for a U.S. Passport, form DS-5513, is used to supplement an application for a U.S. passport <b>when the applicant submits citizenship or identity evidence that is insufficient or of questionable authenticity</b>". They estimate 74,000 out of ~14 million applicants a year will have to do this. Again, I think that counts a lot of us out.

Exactly, since one's current passport is sufficient proof of citizenship.

I love the 45 minutes time estimate. i'm guessing hat's how long it would take to fill in the boxes, after you spent 4 days gathering the information!

This would be totally ridiculous...

Maybe because I didn't grow up in this country, but I didn't find this insane or ridiculous at all. The State Department shouldn't just issue you a passport because you said you were born here, without proof.

Just like I still cannot understand how voters are not required to present a government-issued picture ID to vote in this country. In fact, I think most states are prohibited to ask for a picture ID when someone vote. To me, that IS ridiculous.

Or that a National ID card somehow is a violation of someone's rights.

Sorry for going OT.

It would take alot longer than 45 minutes. For some unknown reason, I had to fill out an additional questionnaire back in 2003. It asked for every address, school, and job, plus a bunch of other questions. Having bartended in 5 states, that was no easy task. If it wasn't for the internet, I would probably still be working in it. And here I thought that applying in Nantucket with no line would be a breeze.

Well, if I don't have to fill it out that's a relief, but what about the people who do? It's still unreasonable - and I wonder if any senior people at State have tried it? Even the IRS only expects you to keep records for 7 years.

I suspect the form was designed by a 20-something who never held a summer job! (And kept everything on file.) How am I supposed to remember the cafe, probably long defunct, where I worked for a week in 1967? And the phone number of my "supervisor"? Which I never had in the first place. Or the address of the rooming house I lived for a term (semester) in 1964? And what use would it be if I could?

I was born when home birth was common, but since my mother is dead I have no way of finding out the name of her doctor, and even if she weren't, it would be ridiculous to expect her to remember doctor's appointments from 60 years ago - which may well have been house calls in any case.

i have been compiling this info for years in anticipation... i have proposed that they also demand all interface info as it applies to fodors.com

I just renewed this past Oct so good for another ten. Doesn't sound right thursdays especially with who is in the White House right now ;)

Are you home doing taxes yet?

Aloha!

ht - nice of you to remember. I fly home tomorrow. Major reentry adjustment may be needed, lol.

So how is re-entry? Something I'm really bad at. Hope you are better at it. It must be a big shock to be back after all this time. And time to reflect.
Any thoughts??

Thoughts... Can I get back on a plane?

It's North Carolina. It's almost April. And it's cold and wet. More to the point, it took me all Tuesday evening to get my tracfone reactivated, and I spent Wednesday morning getting my Camry hybrid towed to the dealer and buying it a very expensive new battery. Then I spent Wednesday evening doing the first pass through three grocery bags of mail, and I haven't even started on my taxes!

On the other hand, seeing my friends again is great.

Re-entry is always tough. But after a trip as long as yours I think I'd be tempted to get right back on a plane!!