Which region are you applying from? My daughter’s passport was processed in under 3 weeks routine service and application was submitted in NYC metro.

I'm in the Kansas City area, and as it was a first time application I'm not even sure which processing center it was sent to. I applied now because I assumed it would take at least 3-4 months to get his passport. I am wondering if first time applications and/or applications that must be made in person are sent to processing centers with faster processing times. It seems all a bit random. I do know I'm very grateful I renewed my passport last year, so at least I don't need to worry about mine.

When you get the Shipped email, it will have a USPS tracking number. USPS site will indicate where the package was Accepted into the system. Mine was at Hot Springs, AR. So I presume it was printed at the Arkansas Passport Center. Interested to see if other Passport Centers are processing just as quickly.

it should be 4-5 weeks - there are <1M applications in process and they go through 200+K per week...

I just got the tracking number today, and you are correct, it's coming from the Arkansas center. My daycare lady sent in a renewal in June, and she's still waiting for hers. So it definitely seems dependent on which passport center your information is sent to for processing.

grrrrrr

Week (Thursday-Wednesday)
Applications Received Passports Awaiting Issuance* Passports Issued
This Week (Aug 20-Aug 26) 165,000 938,000 156,000
Last Week (Aug 13-Aug 19) 143,000 923,000 209,000
2 Weeks Ago (Aug 6-Aug 12) 151,000 968,000 235,000

Wow, that's pretty bad.

At least they processed SOME passports. They didn't all stay home to watch the RNC.

Hurricane Laura is passing not far from New Orleans, Houston, and especially Hot Springs AR. I wouldn't expect an uptick in processing in the next cycle..

My passport arrived yesterday in the mail. So, basically two months.

So I appear to be in the extremely lucky minority. I mailed my application on August 20th and was notified on August 28th that my passport was approved, printed, and en route to me.

Unfortunately we had already amended our travel plans, but still this bodes well for others with upcoming travel plans.

91 Days Total
 

In case anyone is interested:When I read these forums back in May, I saw normal turnaround was about 2-3 weeks, so I sent everything off with no worries. A few days later I realized I had been reading posts from 2017 and that I probably sent my renewal off into a black hole! Oh no! Anyway, 91 days later and everything is done.

in 2016 i got a passport card. i now need a book. am i reading things correctly that i can mail in my card and they will send me back a book? or must i go the 'new' route and go to the post office etc. thanks

YES!

If you already have one type of passport (book or card) and you want the other type, you can apply for it as a mail-in renewal, assuming you meet all of the other requirements (passport card is in good condition, passport card was issued after you turned age 16, no more than 15 years since passport card was issued, no legal name changes, etc).

Here is an excerpt from the official instructions for the mail-in form (DS-82):
<<When submitting a U.S. passport book and/or card with this form, please verify that the document was issued at age 16 or older in your current name (or see item #2 below) and issued within the past 15 years. You are also eligible to use this form if you currently have a U.S. passport book and/or card that complies with the previously listed criteria, and would like to obtain a alternative product (U.S. passport book and/or card) for the first time. However, you must submit the product you currently have (U.S. passport book and/or card) with this application. If your U.S. passport book and/or card has been lost, stolen, damaged, or mutilated, you must apply on the DS-11 application form>>
--

My strong recommendation, if you already have the passport CARD and are getting a first-time passport BOOK, would be to check both boxes and get a new passport card while you are at it, for another $30. That way, moving forward, both your passport BOOK and passport CARD will expire at the same time, and you won't have to worry about keeping track of different renewal dates, or worrying about them canceling a valid document when you need to send it in as proof of citizenship to renew the other document.

all EXCELLENT info! :) never would have thought of both at the same time. main thing is i can avoid going in person this time. just gotta get new pics

There is a (minor) argument for NOT having both expire at the same time. If one document expires because you forgot, or gets lost when you mail it in for renewal (the current state of the post office could continue or get worse, and other methods are not allowed), at least you have the other one and it won't expire for a while.

EDIT: did not know that you have to send both in.

do you mean theres a chance they cancel my card if i send it in and want a book, then my old card back? that wouldnt be nice