Thank you all for the suggestions above.

Berkeley's earliest appt is now towards the end of Sept, but I was able to get an appointment in Sonoma later this week. I'm not thrilled about taking the kids out of school for 1/2 day for this, but if we can fit in some wine tasting for the adults, I guess it all works out in the end :D

Reading this thread makes me feel silly that I spent the extra dollars for a expedited service XD Looks like there's basically no difference.

Not at all. B4 COVID normal processing would take 4-6 weeks. Then processing times went out the window with COVID. Now its finally back to normal - and even more efficient (what's the chance IRS will learn from State?). Expedited can definitely help in the right situations but for most people it is probably not necessary.

#1
8/31 - Submitted to acceptance facility, expedited
9/07 - In process, locator code 56
10/03 - Approved
10/06 - Received, not next-gen
10/12 - Received supporting docs

#2
9/14 - submitted acceptance facility, regular
9/20 - in process, 62
10/17 - approved
10/19 - received, regular

#3
9/14 - submitted acceptance facility, regular
9/20 - in process, 62
10/17 - approved
10/19 - received, regular

Expedited Renewal
8/23 - Mailed via USPS Express Mail
8/25 - Received at Station
8/29 - In Process
8/30 - Check Cashed
9/6 - Approved
9/6 - Shipped
9/8 - Received (assuming next gen as the photo page is almost hard plastic and I think it came from Arizona

Still waiting (9/15) for old passport. This was for expedited service and I had an impending travel date of 9/26.

EDIT: Confirmed Next Gen and old passport received 26 September.

Hi all my passport is expiring Dec 18, 2023.

I have international travels to Asia and Europe (different occasions until May), and then Canada in July. That’s it!

Should I renew my passport now or wait until after I complete Canada trip and renew? I really don’t have any tips beyond July.

How much time between now and your next trip? There is no telling what the situation will be end of next year and current processing is pretty reliably quick right now. So, if not expecting any travel between now and then, why wait? On the other hand, if you need your passport regularly before May, then I would wait until after all the Canada trip as Canada will probably not have a problem with less than 6 months validity for a US passport.

My next trip is in February.

So why not renew now - before any potential cost increases - and while processing is relatively fast? I would do it now.

And, in the event there is some delay when doing it now - it certainly will be resolved well before your February trip.....

Speedy US passport renewal
 

If this should be in another forum, please move it.

Prior to the pandemic, I was aware that my US passport would expire in Jan. 2023. Not traveling overseas during the pandemic, I forgot to renew it. After returning from a trip to Canada in September, I applied for the renewal. With no trips planned, I still used the expedited service, just in case. Here's what happened:

9/5: Filled out the renewal form at travel.state.gov, printed the exact form.
9/6: Mailed in with USPS Priority Mail.
9/13: Checked the status at the site, and requested update by e-mail.
9/17: Received e-mail confirming application received and in review.
9/19: Received e-mail notifying new passport will arrive on or around 09/22/2022.
9/21: Received new passport.

I think that filling out the form online and submitting the exact form made a difference.

Funny - I saw that and thought to myself, "Why n:ot do it after July?" Canada requires a US passport to be valid for the length of a trip so there is no problem in using a December 2023 expiry passport to enter Canada in July, 2023. Also, if one gets a new passport a year early that's like a 10% increase in cost, likely negating any potential cost increase in obtaining one before next July. Finally, the pandemic-related delays in passport renewal seem to be over already. That's not what the passport office is telling people but is the reality of what people in this thread have been reporting .

Was able to renew myself using the online mytravel.state.gov service...

9/3: Submitted (large book, standard processing)
9/16: upgraded to expedited (trip coming up)
9/22: shipped USPS Priority mail.

Maybe the upgrade was unnecessary, I did it anyways.

Also, I guess I should hole punch my old passport so I don't use it by accident LOL.

Not so sure it was unnecessary - I submitted online 8/2 for standard processing, 8/3 check cashed - over 6 weeks later no progress "in process" despite my saying I have a trip on 10/10 :(

Agreed! But OP seems to have anxiety about the process which is why I suggested doing it now while one can pretty decently know what to expect. Yes, a year early is a 10% lost, but that's also only about $13 at current costs - or just 3 gallons of gas. :)

I applied and was accepted into the online renewal program.

Uploaded the completed form and picture (from my iPhone) on Friday. Paid for "Expedited" service (6-8 weeks I think instead of 12-15 or similar) but not the expedited delivery.

Had the passport book in hand by the following Thursday. The passport card came the next day.

There was a warning when uploading the picture that their AI thought I was wearing glasses (wasn't, just a shadow) so really expected a bit of a delay.