Notice2025-23627
60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Adoptive Family Relief Act Refund Application DS-7781
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
December 22, 2025
Issuing agencies
State Department
Abstract
The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are requesting comments on this collection from all interested individuals and organizations. The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 243 (Monday, December 22, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 243 (Monday, December 22, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59930-59931]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-23627]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice: 12839]
60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Adoptive Family
Relief Act Refund Application DS-7781
ACTION: Notice of request for public comment.
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SUMMARY: The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below.
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are
requesting comments on this collection from all interested individuals
and organizations. The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for
public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
[[Page 59931]]
DATES: The Department will accept comments from the public up to
February 20, 2026.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Web: Persons with access to the internet may comment on
this notice by going to <a href="http://www.Regulations.gov">www.Regulations.gov</a>. You can search for the
document by entering ``Docket Number: DOS-2025-0368'' in the Search
field. Then click the ``Comment Now'' button and complete the comment
form.
<bullet> Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e98f8c8c9aa99a9d889d8cc78e869f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="25434040566556514451400b424a53">[email protected]</span></a>. You must include the DS form number
(DS-7781), information collection title, and the OMB control number in
any correspondence.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct requests for additional
information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including
requests for copies of the proposed collection instrument and
supporting documents, to Victoria Choe, who may be reached at 771-205-
2240 or at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#13757676605360677267763d747c65"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4d2b28283e0d3e392c3928632a223b">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
<bullet> Title of Information Collection: Adoptive Family Relief
Act Refund Application.
<bullet> OMB Control Number: 1405-0223.
<bullet> Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved
Collection.
<bullet> Originating Office: CA/C.
<bullet> Form Number: DS-7781.
<bullet> Respondents: Immigrant Visa Petitioners.
<bullet> Estimated Number of Respondents: 5.
<bullet> Estimated Number of Responses: 5.
<bullet> Average Time per Response: 5 Minutes.
<bullet> Total Estimated Burden Time: 1.6 Hours.
<bullet> Frequency: On Occasion.
<bullet> Obligation to Respond: Required to Obtain or Retain a
Benefit.
We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:
<bullet> Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is
necessary for the proper functions of the Department.
<bullet> Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost
burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used.
<bullet> Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected.
<bullet> Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond,
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of
information technology.
Please note that comments submitted in response to this Notice are
public record. Before including any detailed personal information, you
should be aware that your comments as submitted, including your
personal information, will be available for public review.
Abstract of Proposed Collection
The Adoptive Family Relief Act (Pub. L. 114-70) amended Section
221(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1201(c),
to allow for the waiver or refund certain immigrant visa fees for a
lawfully adopted child, or a child coming to the United States to be
adopted by a United States citizen, subject to criteria prescribed by
the Secretary of State.
The waiver or refund provides support and relief to U.S. citizen
families seeking to bring their adoptive children home to the United
States but have not been able to due to country specific limitations.
For example, if a country suspends the issuance of ``exit permits'' for
children who were adopted, U.S. citizen families repeatedly pay visa
renewal and related fees, while also continuing to be separated from
their adopted children. The DS-7781 form collects information to
determine the extra fees these families have paid and refunds them in
accordance with the Adoptive Family Relief Act.
Methodology
The collection will be hosted on the Department of State website to
be printed, filled out, and eventually sent to the consular section
where the adoption case was originally processed.
Vlad Lipschutz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Resources, Bureau of Consular Affairs,
Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2025-23627 Filed 12-19-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-06-P
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