The passport folks do seem to be pretty close to capacity right now. I filed my initial passport application in May. My receipt and the post office clerk taking the app indicated that it would take a maximum of 6 weeks to process. When I got within a few days of the deadline, I attempted to call to check the status. The phone system was so overloaded, it would disconnect me after 30 seconds of waiting for an operator. So, instead, I sent an email status request. The website claims these are answered within 2 days, however mine took 4. In the end, I recieved my passport 6 weeks and one day after I applied. I don't know if its just people going on summer vactions, or the impending Canada/Mexico rule changes, but things seem to be busier than normal. The P.O. clerk stated that 6 weeks was the maximum, and normal turnaround was closer to 4.