My timeline for a recent passport application. Hopefully this is encouraging to others.

(Child under 16 age passport renewal. 26 days start to finish time. Standard/routine processing, no rush, no expedited.).

- Appointment Sep 07, 2021 at USPS Cupertino, CA
- USPS $35 check cashed Sept 10, 2021
- Application Status "in process" Sep 10, 2021(Application# 57xxxxxxx, processing in San Francisco)
- Passport fees $80 check cashed Sep 13, 2021
- Application status "Approved" on Sep 30, 2021.
- Passport received via USPS Oct 03, 2021.
- Now waiting for original birth certificate and old passport to be returned, which may take another few weeks


My wife's passport which showed as "in process" since 9/7/21 though is still showing no changes. That passport renewal is being processed out of New Orleans based on first 2 digit of application number.