thanks for the information! I would think everything was appropriate as the USPS personnel checked it at the appointment. Let’s hope it’s before our flight.

I tried the appointment before and they were all full, my father has to have surgery and is why I need to travel, so we have moved the trip in order to accommodate for those 4-6 processing weeks. Dad has to have heart surgery.

call the 1800 they will manage to expedite it. He couldn’t get an appointment on his own so they managed to talk to the local passport agency even though he mailed it in.

Passport for child under 16, regular (non-expedited) service.

1/7 - USPS interview; sent using regular mail
1/27 - Status changed to "In Process"
1/28 - Check cleared
2/12 - Status changed to "Shipped" (email with USPS Priority tracking number sent)
2/23 - USPS marked as received by USPS
2/23 - Received "Approved" email
2/26 - Citizenship documentation received
3/3 - Received Passport

56 days from application to passport receipt. Of those 56 days, around 40 were spent waiting on USPS.

is this the first status change since 01/07?

Yes. When I called the NPIC at the end of 10 business days, I was told the USPS is experiencing significant delays in delivering passport applications.

I remember last time When I applied for a minor passport for my son at the local library I receive it 10 days after. I think they sent it to the local passport agency. I wonder where USPS sends those applications.

I got notice that my renewed passport should be coming around 2/3.

So:

12/30 - dropped application in mail, including self-taken passport photo
1/8 - email notice indicating the application was received.
1/11 - check cashed
1/27 - email notice that the application was approved, should get new passport book around 2/3, notes the normal application processing time is 10-12 weeks.

I didn't pay for express service.

I wasn't expecting the quick turnaround necessarily. My old passport was due to expire at end of August so I would have been fine getting it back say by early April or so.

To all who have helped me during the process, Thanks...
This is how it finally went.

I wrote to the congresswoman of the district where my newborn was born, via their official website of the congress.
I received an email response within 4 hours, saying that she would be more than willing to help out to speed up things with the National Passport Information Center NPIC and that I would need to sign a release online with the baby's information. Also, in order for the NPIC to entertain her request for expediting our application, she would need proof of my travel within 2 weeks (which in my case original date is in 1 week) of the time of her request. The evidence is submitted via the online release form.

That was all yesterday 1/26, I submitted all right away. 10 AM

11 AM: Got a response from the congresswoman, with in 1 hour saying that her office had requested expediting our passport application to NPIC.

9 AM Today 27th: Got an email from the congresswoman that included the response from the NPIC "Thank you for your inquiry. Your constituent's application has been forwarded to a passport specialist for expedited review. We will provide status updates to your office as additional information becomes available."

5 pm: Email from NPIC Application Status: Approved

The U.S. Department of State approved your application for your passport book. We're now printing your passport book and preparing to give it to you.

You requested expedited service when you applied, which we are currently processing in 4-6 weeks. You should receive your passport book on or around 01/30/2021.
9 PM Application Status: Shipped

The U.S. Department of State has shipped your passport book on 01/27/2021.

We sent your passport book to you using UPS Next Day Air.

I am scheduled to receive the passport tomorrow by 10:30 am according to tracking information.

It is incredible how quickly everything came around, thanks to the service of the congresswoman. I am truly grateful to all who helped and to the person that suggesting trying this somewhere in previous posts.

Update
 

During Covid send your renewal by USPS PRIORITY EXPRESS MAIL otherwise, it will be delayed (take a look at mine).

NEW PASSPORT (Paid for expedite service (4-6 weeks) and also fast delivery $60 + $17.23 (express mail guaranteed delivery in 1-2 days))
12/22/20 Applied in USPS for a new passport
12/29/21 Received application and the check was cashed
01/11/21 IN PROCESS
01/25/21 Passport agency sent me 3 emails at the same time with the titles "In-process" "Approved" "Shipped"
01/28/21 Passport was delivered by USPS priority EXPRESS mail. ( Tooks exactly 38 days // 5 weeks from the day I applied in the USPS office in Florida to the day I got my passport )

RENEWAL (Paid for expedite service $60)
12/22/20 Shipped by UPS which delivered it to USPS on 12/24/20 priority mail
12/24/20 Delayed by USPS for 12 days
01/06/21 Arrived at PA distribution center and Delayed for 10 more days
01/16/21 Passport was delivered by USPS ( 26 days - 4.5 weeks took to deliver a priority mail supposed to be delivered in 3 days)
01/19/21 The application was posted in the system as "in-process" and the was check cashed

The passport office cashed the checks the same day they receive the application even without take a look at the application or know if they going to approve it, so if they cash your check it does not means they will approve it.

Applied for my 5 years old renewal at USPS here in Seattle on 01/22 and a few minutes ago, I received an email with in process. I did not pay for an expedite since we are not planning on traveling before July. His old passport expires in June and it barely looks like him anyway. I think they mail passport applications to local passport agencies for processing and the passport might be printed somewhere else. Seattle passport agency has always been efficient even when we applied for his first passport it took a week from routine application to receiving passport in the mail first time. I would rather they delay it to get extra validity. Lol

FWIW
When USPS send the application to for review and where the passport is printed doesn’t have to be the same place. I was asked to mail in additional documentation to VA. I included tracking and a two days after delivery of the additional documentation, I got notice that application was approved and shipped that same day. The passport originated from Little Rock, AR while the supporting docs were sent to VA.

Got my passport back today. They issued it less than a month after I sent it in. They even sent it by Priority Mail!

A couple of things:

1. I didn't get my old passport back. But there is an insert saying I would get the ID documents back in a separate mailing?

2. I don't recall but the new Passport has a completely different number?


Also no sign of RFID or some technological advance since 10 years ago.

1. Yep. And if you also ask for a passport card, it will come in yet another envelope.
2. Correct.

I received my new passport on Jan 22 and the old one on Jan 29.

Be sure and update your passport number on the GOES website, if applicable.

Thanks for the reminder.

Renewal with expedited service
Dec 29- dropped at USPS with Priority Mail Tracking (to Philly)
Jan 11- delivered to Philly
Jan 14- recv'd email from State Dept passport application received
Jan 14- called State Dept to add overnight delivery once printed (not using USPS again!)
Feb 1- received email it has shipped

My timeline is about the same, dropped it in the mail on 12/30, got my passport in on 12/29.

I didn't pay for priority service.

Though maybe you're guaranteed the quickest turnaround with the priority service?

Holy Schnikes! That's the type of renewal service we fantasize about! (getting the new passport back the day before sending it in).

update
 

We sent our renewals in December. Filled out paperwork online, printed and sent in with DIY photos. Not expedited.
Passport status:
Received 12/22/20
Checks cashed 12/23/20
Status "in process" ever since.

I'm REALLY hoping that some of the luck I'm seeing here rubs off on us!

UPDATE:
2/14: Received email that passport was in process.
2/18: Received email from Passport office that passport application was approved, book was being printed, and estimated arrival would be 2/24.

Applied for a renewal for a 5 year old on 12/30. At the US Post office. Not expedited.
They received the request on January 5th.
Processing since then.

First time passport applicant

01/05/2021 - I had my USPS Passport appointment, already had my application all filled out along with my required documents etc a few days before hand. I paid for the expedited services also.

01/12/2021 - My application was received on this specific day.

01/27/2021 - Even though I just received an email update indicating that my application was received on 1/12 initially but they are now officially reviewing my application and supporting documents. Maybe there was a delayed email communication or something going on with their system due to covid?

Currently the application status is still “In Process”

But anyways I’m just trying to gather as much info/help as much as possible on a little situation I encountered during my initial USPS appointment. Long story short I brought along and provided my “short form birth certificate”, and was told a few minutes later by the USPS employee that it would most likely be denied at the processing center, but yet she still accepted it and had it mailed out. So I honestly didn’t know there were two different birth certificates that existed and that the “ long form birth certificate “ was required/preferred (my parents had the long form version of said birth certificate)

So since I have not heard back from them yet as far as being denied and not receiving any further updated emails/physical mail about the birth certificate. Should I patiently wait until I hear back from them or should I attempt to just mail out the proper birth certificate on my own and hope for the best?

I’m only mentioning this because I’m just trying to avoid any further delays if anything. Since I do have an international trip to Mexico on 03/25/2021 thats already fully booked and paid for.. Even though I paid for the expedited service, should I be worried?

If you were born in the US and are submitting a birth certificate as primary citizenship evidence, here's what the document needs to include to be accepted (from the State Department):

Timeline for first time passport (non-expedited):

USPS appointment 12/8/20
Received 12/15/20
Passport mailed priority mail 2/1/21
Passport received 2/4/21

Renewal, not expedited
Sent 12/28
Check cleared 1/7
Received 2/3

That is quick!
I wonder how much of it depends on which agency it is despatched to, how behind and overwhelmed that agency is at that partcular moment.

I haven't heard of other countries struggling with passports... I recently renewed a child's local passport in ZRH and that took less than two weeks in completely normal, unexpedited mode.

Passport
 

According to the website they dispatch it to the agency that has the least load in order to get the passport processed quickly. I doubt that is not the case but who knows. I sent it renewal for my 5 years old ( USPS appointment) 1/22 and was received 1/28 and check cashed 1/29 and it shows processing since 1/28. Non expedited and we are not planning any trips until July. Should I assume everything is ok since they never sent any emails after? The photo is DIY but was great and I have done my passport the same way.

From reading the thread it looks like some of fastest turnaround times are just above a month.
But if you're travelling only in July you should have lots of time!
To clarify, my ZRH application was not for a US passport.

yes, I think we are all good. I was told they scan the application into the system same day they cash the check. So my guess is the photo is good to go.

Most Schengen area US consulates/embassies located in a city with non-stop flights to the US are still this month turning around US passport applications for children within less than 12 business days from when taking applications. I'm mostly seeing under 10 days. No expedite fee applicable.

That is good to know. I'm just surprised that the US seems to be struggling so much with its passport issuance, and not other countries, as far as I am aware.

Update:
I received today an email (the first email communication) informing me that "the U.S. Department of State has received [the] application for [the] passport book on 01/05/2021. We're now reviewing [the] application and supporting documents. You requested routine service when you applied, which we are currently processing in 10-12 weeks". Etc.
Maybe they are actually reviewing it now!

Mine was received on January 15th Expedited and is still in process. Leaving for a trip on March 12th Should I be worried? The total time would be would be 7.5 weeks before I need it. My husband sent his in on the same day and his was received on 2 weeks later.

Ok im hoping to get some piece of mind on this Forum. I applied for 2 passports for my Toddlers on 1/8/2021. Didn't pay for expedited service because my brother recently applied and received passport in a little over a month. Its been a month later and status on Website still shows " NOT FOUND" and per agents they cannot pay for expedited service until status changes. Here's the kicker my Trip is on 3/3/2021!

Thoughts, Suggestions, anything will be greatly appreciated! :)

Here was my experience-

Sent my passport in for renewal non expedited service on January 25. Exactly 2 weeks later my passport still hadn't been found in the system. I called them to see if they had received my passport and also because I wanted to change to expedited service. I called and they couldn't find it, therefore couldn't do anything about changing it to expedited service. They said wait a few days and check back. 4 hours went by and I got the email that they had received my passport.

I called them back that same evening to change to expedited service plus expedited shipping. 2 days later and I just received the email my passport is being shipped.

The agent had asked what day I needed the passport by and I told her March 29. Had no idea the turnaround would be that fast.

Where did you apply? Was it domestic or international?

I applied at a local library. (Domestic)

We applied at our local post office in January and it took 20 days for the processing center to receive our application. It might be worth a call to the library to see if they have a tracking number on the packet of applications they sent in. With all of the delays in the USPS system at the moment, it might take some time for the application to reach the processing center.

Jan 15: Applied for first passport for baby daughter with the county passport acceptance agent - Regular - NOT expedited
Jan 19: Online status shows "In Process"
Feb 5: Status shows approved
Feb 11: Delivered (Mailed from Tucson, AZ)

Total time exactly 4 weeks - Regular service

Just FYI where you apply - office or state has no bearing on where your application is processed, printed (could be different than processing), and mailed. That is decided from what I understand on some demand and backlog logic at each center/agency.

Very swift! Quite envious here. Did you also receive status emails, and, if so, did they correspond to the status shown on the web page?