Statement of Marital Relationship (VA Form 21-4170)

OMB Control No: 2900-0114	ICR Reference No: 202404-2900-005
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202009-2900-015
Agency/Subagency: VA	Agency Tracking No: VBA-COMP-YA
Title: Statement of Marital Relationship (VA Form 21-4170)
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 07/09/2024

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	07/31/2024
Responses	1,984	2,205
Time Burden (Hours)	827	919
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: VA Form 21-4170 is used to gather information that is necessary to determine whether a valid common law marriage was established. The form is used by persons claiming to be common law surviving spouses of deceased veterans and by veterans and their claimed common law spouses. Benefits cannot be authorized unless a valid marriage is established.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 38 USC 101(3) and 101(31) Name of Law: Definitions    US Code: 38 USC 103(c) Name of Law: Special provisions relating to marriages.

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	89 FR 35305	05/01/2024
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	89 FR 56025	07/08/2024
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title Form No. Form Name Statement of Marital Relationship (VA Form 21-4170) 21-4170 Statement of Marital Relationship

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	1,984	2,205	0	-221	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	827	919	0	-92	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Reduction Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Short Statement: The respondent burden has decreased due to the estimated number of receivables averaged over the past year.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $101,184

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

Agency Contact: Maribel Aponte 202 266-4688 [email protected]

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
		(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
		(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
		(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
		(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
		(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
		(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
		(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
			(i) Why the information is being collected;
			(ii) Use of information;
			(iii) Burden estimate;
			(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
			(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
			(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
		(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
		(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
		(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Certification Date: 07/09/2024

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