U.S. passport renewal time takes longer

One tip in renewing your passport. Choose the 52 page book  option at no addition cost, instead of the 28 page book, because this year  the Department of State no longer adds visa pages into existing U.S. passports.

I'd think twice about that 52-page book, because it's a lot bulkier and less convenient to carry. I'm in Year 8 of a 28-pager, average 2-3 overseas trips a year, and still have 10 blank pages. Of course, if you're a frequent business traveler, or live near a border, the math might be different.

I've filled up passport books before and now without the option of getting more pages available, that's a big expense. I'm getting the 52 page book option this time and I'll  report back after a few trips if it's a problem

My wife got her passport back in 3 weeks.  So as of February, there was no problem with US Passport turnaround time.

That's the point of the fuss...it wasn't bad then, it's getting worse now, and soon will hit a peak—replicating the situation 10 years ago when lots of border-dwelling folks got their first passports.

What would really have made sense would have been for them to start last year sending out letters, say in October, to x number of people saying "send in your renewal by 10/31, even though your passport expires in June. We'll take $10 off your fee." And then the same in November, etc.

Not to everyone, but to enough randomly selected to even out the demand. I'll bet the revenue loss would have been less than the looming cost of overtime and temporary help when the screaming starts just before summer vacation!

To add my update to Dr Fumblinger's , I applied for a replacement passport in March and got mine in less than 3 weeks. Although mine was issued because I lost my passport last summer and I needed to trade in my temporary passport for a regular one. There's a different address that I sent mine to than the passports that expire, so not sure if it translates. Anyway if yours is going to expire, apply for a replacement early