Passport Renewal processing

I also get a quick turnaround for my last renewal. I was pleasantly surprised. It seemed impossibly efficient for a federal process.

I suspect renewals process quicker than 1st time applications.

I also suspect the number of 1st time applications is now a smaller percentage of total applications than it once was and thus the process works more smoothly.

My wife and I renewed our passports last year at this time and it took about 2 weeks.

FYI, if you’re applying for your first passport, you must get an appointment at the facilities. You cannot just walk in. In Boise, Idaho, appointments are four to five weeks out.
So plan ahead! This can be a 4 month process.

Also, there are many websites designed to intercept your passport inquiry if you use google. They look like USA government sites.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/how-to-apply.html

https://www.usps.com/international/passports.htm

We renewed our passports last year. (November 2017). We got our new passports 12 days after mailing off our renewal. Renewing in the fall/winter seems to result in the fastest turnaround times, especially compared to spring when lots and lots of people are preparing for their summer trips.

First time applicants here, took exactly fourteen days from non-expedited submission to our passports arriving by mail. Next day, a second envelope arrived containing our passport cards and our returned documents.

Mailed passports for renewal during the govt shutdown and they were returned to us in 14 days.

We mailed an application for passport renewal on January 3, 2019 and received the new passport on Jan. 30th (27 days).

Mailed passports for renewal during the govt shutdown and they were
returned to us in 14 days.

Now THAT is impressive!

FYI, if you’re applying for your first passport, you must get an
appointment at the facilities.

What appointment for a first passport? It's all done online.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/how-to-apply.html

The key word is "renew". If you are applying for the first time, or do not meet the five check points, you cannot renew by mail.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/apply-in-person.html

Apply in Person

You must apply in person using Form DS-11 if at least one of the
following is true:

You are applying for your first U.S. passport

You are under age 16

Your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16

Your previous U.S. passport was lost, stolen, or damaged

Your previous U.S. passport was issued more than 15 years ago