If you were born outside the USA or outside a hospital then you are required to fill out the "long" version, even if you can provide a raised seal birth certificate. Moreover, the level of detail being requested is above and beyond what should be necessary to prove residency for near everyone.

Even if you can provide a raised seal birth certificate it seems that you are required to complete all but section C. It is unclear to me what my schooling or job history has to do with being a citizen.

Regarding how to object, the easiest way to do so is to email [email protected]. You must include the DS form number (if applicable), information collection title, and OMB control number in any correspondence. For this particular abomination those details are DS-5513 and Biographical Questionnaire for U.S. Passport; there is no OMB control number currently assigned.

If you want to see a sample letter (the one I sent in earlier this afternoon) check out my version here: http://boardingarea.com/blogs/thewan...-a-lot-harder/.

ETA: The stricken part above might not be true, though it apparently all depends on if they decide to believe your initial application or not.