By the skin of my teeth (btsoyt)
 

Hello,

So, I booked a flight back in January to Aruba for end of March. I realized I need to renew my passport : here is my story

AFTER paying $350+ - $400 later:

Used Passport Expediting Courier (paid a fee just to have it arrive at company in DC so they can pop it in a USPS envelope to go to PA....... made no sense)

2/15/2021 - Dropped FEDEX envelope by following all instructions directed by passport expediting courier.
- Same day, 1 hour later got notification it was picked up
WAS SUPPOSED TO GET TO DESTINATION 2 DAYS from PICK UP DATE
Did it happen? Of course not because my luck... FedEx was backed up due to inclement weather across the nation

2/26/2021 - Arrived at Virginia
2/27/2021 - Arrived at Washington DC
2/28/2021 - Finally arrived at PA from Washington DC
3/3/2021 - Accepted, In Process, Check Cashed

NOW I am Freaking out because I paid for expedited service and the email i got said process time takes 4-6 weeks from date received......

3/4/2021 - 3/11/2021 -- Checking status online frantically and obsessively my trip is in 3 weeks
3/8/2021 - Called Passport Agency to try to get an appointment in person - no luck, rep says extremely difficult to get appointment
3/11/2021 - Call passport agency to get appointment (2 weeks before flight) was told NO APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE
3/11/2021 - Read this forum and used advice of those who contacted senate to push application through
3/11/2021 - Contacted State Senator
3/12/2021 @ 1:09 PM Dept of State sends an email with SHIPPING CONFIRMATION ---- WHAT????!!??!!

Idk how, idk who but THANK YOU!!!!!
Was a very stressful process, my passport renewal application was stuck in NY for 2 weeks and I was losing hope and stress eating.

Email says I should get my new passport in mail by next week.

Not sure if writing to senator helped the process but...... total time from submitting to receiving email was ::::: 3 weeks and 4 days...

Will update when I get my passport in hand.... not out of the woods yet....

Nice
 

What I've been told is... you're not supposed to use FedEx. Only USPS overnight. I did overnight and it was processing 3 days later. But no news 15 days later.

I'll send an email to my Senator. See if that helps as well.

USPS Priority Mail Express.

4 to 6
 

4 to 6 weeks means from the day you mailed it to the day you receive it.

Funny
 

Sometimes I wonder for those of us that check the status 10 times a day.... They purposely put our applications at the end of the line. Lol

Yess i know this but i went thru a courier service and they require you to use fedex to get the application to them, then once they receive it, they put it in a usps envelope which i mentioned in my post was veryyyyyyyyy pointless. My point was that I made a mistake in using a courier service... anyway! contact your state senate they will help you, my passport has shipped and i should receive it by monday. Good luck.

Good job
 

I email my first Senator. Hickenlooper. He said to wait til it's 3 days before we leave. Then email him and he can try to get it done in a day. Lol. Ya right

I emailed the other Senator Bennett today. We will see how he responds.

Update:
3/11: called and talked to a rep around 10 pm ET. Upgraded to expedited service ($60 charge). Was told my application was being processed in NH and with expedited service it could be processed in 20 business days.. Asked for a travel date multiple times but I don't have one. They seem to indicate that they could try to accommodate any upcoming travel. Declined to upgrade to faster mailing once issued.
3/12: 12 AM received email that application was received and I selected regular service . . . noted 10-12 weeks.
3/12: Status checker changed later that day to note expedited service and 4-6 weeks.
3/13: woke up to email from a little after midnight with tracking info. I should receive by 3/20. Status checker says same.

Have you tried calling the passport status number? They were very helpful when I called to expedited my application.

I wouldn't be surprised if there is an upcoming surge in US passport application numbers as people anticipate the re-opening of more international travel.

It's their staff -- inclusive of interns -- who usually respond to such communications. It's not commonly the Senators themselves who respond.

Weekly

I mailed my passport renewal from NYC to PA for expedited delivery. Mailed on 2/25 USPS priority mail. Was supposed to be received on March 2, but it's been saying "delayed in transit" ever since. I filed a case with USPS but no response yet. As of today, 3/16, No status on the website and no checks cashed.

Does USPS sometimes not scan it in in? Is it lost?

Renewal for Minor Child
 

Another touchpoint: renewing for 2 children under 16.

Since the kids are under 16 renewal must be in-person with both parents. Our appt was at the local post office. Took about 30 minutes to process, including taking two photos. In addition to the standard passbook & card fees with regular delivery service (not expedited), we were charged USPS processing fee for both, fees for two photographs, fees for photocopies of 7 pages of forms and documents (I think that should have come out of the USPS processing fee!) and, since paying electronically by credit/debit card - two fees to convert the electronic payment to two money orders. Will provide processing details as available:

3/15 Renewal Application submitted

""What'chu talkin' 'bout, Willis?!" :)

Closer?
 

So I checked the status. Still says the usual. Recieved Feb 25th and it's processing . Overnight there and back plus expedited.
I finally get an email today March 17th saying received Feb 25th and it's processing. Good grief. Maybe this means they are finally starting it?