Congresspeople and Senators typically have a staffer whose primary job is handling constituent problems with things like passports and Social Security issues.

When I applied on April 19th, they exceeded the then-4-week window. When I called, they told me to call them back after five weeks, but finally on May 19, it showed up in passportstatus.state.gov as having been received on May 18 (just a couple days past the 4-week deadline.) Curious that it didn't actually show that ON the 18th, which was the day I called them. But at least I know my documents aren't lost in transit.

As of now, it's still "in process", and given the increased timelines, I expect they will take the full twelve weeks plus mailing time on the tail end. I did not pay for expedited processing because I have no international travel planned currently, but 18 weeks+ is starting to feel a little silly.

Need help! Planned Travel for July 15th. My BF sent his passport out May 4th we thought no need to rush because that's plenty of time. We were wrong!
Finally got through on the phone today and paid the fee to have it rushed, the rep was very nice and advised them that travel is in 10 days. What else can we do?

Scroll up in this thread, you'll see many folks mentioning reaching out to your local state representative or senator - they can expedite the mail-in process as well as get an in-person appointment at an agency, if applicable. GL.

Have you contacted your US Congressperson or Senator? I believe people have had success reaching out to their local representative. You have to fill out a privacy form and send it back but they will be your best bet to see things through. If you're lucky enough to get an Agency appointment since your travel date is soon, you can go to the Agency (local) and get a passport issued, same day. Keep us posted.

Expedited Timeline with 1-2 Express Delivery:
6/29/21: Applied in Person at County Clerk Recorder
7/06/21: Shows up "In Process"

Contact your Congresscritter's constituent services.

PS-I mailed my routine renewal application in the day after you did, May 5th. They got it May 7th per the USPS receipt, but it didn't show as "In Process" until 6/16 and the 12 week processing period didn't start until then. I do not expect to have my renewed passport until mid-September.

I contacted them today. Not feeling very hopeful though. We should probably cancel booking to get at least half our money back. Horrible thing is we had 2 trips planned this summer and now we cant go. It has been a very rough year and we needed these vacations. I am just heartbroken.

Update:
7/06/21: In Process email received from Dept of State

My congressman did process for me and sent it in. I was told they can only send in the request but there are no guarantees. They advised that the passport office is so swamped that request are going longer than the 18 weeks. I can only pray that it is her before next Thursday. Any one got theirs within 8 days after congress help?

Scrolling up, I've seen a few people get theirs within days of contacting their Congressperson. They also have the option of securing you an in-person appointment at the nearest Passport Agency for same day passports. Hope it doesn't come to that but if you need to take that vacation, good luck.

6/21 Sent mine Expedited with 1-2 delivery
6/24 "Processing"

Can anyone explain the "do not include mailing times, which could add 6 weeks to the door-to-door time"? I paid the $17.56 for 1-2 day delivery. Does that not decrease the 6 weeks door-to-door time?

Regular mailing times to return new passport is Priority Mail which should be 2-3 days for 48 states. If you paid extra shipping, it should be express mail for next day delivery.

Ok, so the $17.65 was essentially a waste of money. Thanks

Same for Express Mail and Priority Mail to a passport acceptance center.