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.