# Agency Information Collection Activity: Alternate Signer Certification
**AGENCY:**
Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
**ACTION:**
Notice.
**SUMMARY:**
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the *Federal Register* concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed revision of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.
**DATES:**
Comments must be received on or before February 17, 2026.
**ADDRESSES:**
Comments must be submitted through *www.regulations.gov* .
**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**
*Program-Specific Information:* Kendra McCleave, 202-461-9568, *[email protected].*
*VA PRA Information:* Dorothy Glasgow, 202-461-1084, *[email protected].*
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
Under the PRA of 1995, Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.
With respect to the following collection of information, VBA invites comments on: (1) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of VBA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of VBA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology.
*Title:* Alternate Signer Certification (VA Form 21-0972).
*OMB Control Number:* 2900-0849. *https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRASearch.* (Once at this link, you can enter the OMB Control Number to find the historical versions of this Information Collection).
*Type of Review:* Revision of a currently approved collection.
*Abstract:* VA Form 21-0972 is used to collect the alternate signer information necessary for VA to accept benefit application forms signed by individuals on behalf of Veterans and claimants. The information collected is used to contact the alternate signer for verification purposes. Without this information, VA would be unable to verify information related to the alternate signer who has been appointed to represent the claimant in the prosecution of VA claims, the extent of such representation, and access to appropriate records.
No changes have been made to this form. The respondent burden has increased due to the estimated number of receivables averaged over the past year.
*Affected Public:* Individuals and Households.
*Estimated Annual Burden:* 5,570 hours.
*Estimated Average Burden per Respondent:* 15 minutes.
*Frequency of Response:* One time.
*Estimated Number of Respondents:* 22,278 per year.
*Authority:* 44 U.S.C. 3501 *et seq.*
Shunda Willis,
Acting, VA PRA Clearance Officer, (Alt.) Office of Information Technology/Data Governance Analytics, Department of Veterans Affairs.