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.