Anyone can apply to participate in the pilot program.

Looking at some recent reports from scrolling up this thread, it seems most "expedited" applications are being approved ~2 weeks after they show "in process", then add 3 days mailing time.

My best guess is if your application doesn't have any problems it will be approved this week and you will receive early next week.

Thanks a lot threeoh !

Attempting an appointment for my minor children's passport renewal in SoCal. Our window opens tomorrow. Do I still press 1 for "new passport" for them in the phone tree before looping through "3" to wait for 8am?

Applied at a U.S. consulate in South Africa, regular service, on May 11.

Printed and mailed on May 11, arrived at consulate May 17. Passport card arrived May 26. It was an ePassport and not NextGen.

All passport service at US embassies/consulates comes back as if it’s expedited service even as there is no fee for such applicable.

At US embassies/consulates, it’s only in the event of a mess-up that the passport card would ever arrive before the passport.

4-6/7 business days from application to passport availability at the major missions seems to be the norm from what I’ve seen as of late. Passport card comes back about the way you saw it. Keep in mind that if the passport card is meant to be picked up at the mission and isn’t picked up after it arrives there, then 90 days later the passport card could be on its way out for disposal.

I applied for my passport renewal via the online renewal pilot program on June 5, and I marked that I had a future travel date within 14 days, despite the system saying I shouldn't apply for a passport via the online renewal service if that was the case (I figured I may as well get the process started, and if the passport didn't arrive, I could just cancel my international trip). I was able to get an appointment in San Francisco for "urgent travel" as I assumed my passport wouldn't arrive before my June 17 departure (pro tip, if you need a last minute passport, reach out to your congress rep's office, they can help you get appts).

Shockingly, I got an email this afternoon saying my passport has shipped - don't have the arrival date yet (just the shipping label has been created via USPS), but has anyone heard of a passport being turned around in a week's time? I'm hoping it's not a glitch, but worst case I do have an appointment on June 16 for a last minute passport if necessary. Hoping I don't have to go to it though !

4/15/22 Applied for four minor passports at two appointments due to scheduling (1&3, two different USPS locations). Standard service. No travel dates listed.
4/25/22 All "in process" at location #69
6/10/22 Single appointment delivered.
6/11/22 3x appointments delivered

Now off to the LA consulate to get their Italian passports.

answered

It is not.

From the link which I posted above:

State really should update that language to say something like this: “I am aware that my most recent passport will be immediately invalidated when I submit my application and I ***will not*** use it for international travel.”

The passport is to be rendered electronically invalidated with that kind of online renewal application submission. But I’m just waiting to see when someone gets caught using a US passport electronically invalidated by way of this kind of online renewal process.

Requested expedited service with expedited mailing. Renewed one adult passport (using mail-in DS-82) and two child passports (in-person using DS-2 form):

Adult Passport:
4/26: Mailed application using DS-82 renewal form filler
4/27: Delivered
4/29: In process (Locator number 34: Charleston)
5/2: Check cashed
5/18: Approved
5/19: Shipped from Tucson
5/20: Arrived
As of today, the old passport has yet to arrive.

Child 1 Passport:
4/26: Submitted application at passport agency using DS-2 form filler
4/29: In process (Locator number 69: Portsmouth, NH or Philadelphia)
5/2: Check cashed
5/19: Approved
5/20: Shipped from Little Rock
5/21: Arrived
5/28: Old passport arrived

Child 2 Passport:
4/26: Submitted application at passport agency using DS-2 form filler
4/29: In process (Locator number 69: Portsmouth, NH or Philadelphia)
5/2: Check cashed
5/19: Approved
5/20: Shipped from Little Rock
5/21: Arrived
5/28: Old passport arrived

Overall, relatively fast turnaround, and much faster than the quoted 8-10 weeks!

Were any of these next generation passports?

Actually, the quoted timeline for expedited service is 5-7 weeks. The timeline of 8-10 weeks is under normal processing.

What office name was on the return address line? National Passport Center?

I think the claim is that the name of the office identifies the processing office, not the city. (Mine was from Western Passport Center, also a Sterling VA PO Box)