I think last time I renewed was pre-pandemic, but post-Trump, which I don't recall what that had to do with it, but do recall that passport renewals were already seriously slowed down -- I think I had to wait about 6 weeks.
I don't know for sure what it was before that, since the last time I renewed was 10 years before that.
But being without a passport for even 2 weeks makes me nervous. It's a security blanket to know I have it to make last-minute international travel possible if necessary.
An online renewal where you don't have to send your old passport in and can keep it until your new arrives is a huge thing. (Granted, your old passport will probably become invalid at some point before you receive your new passport, but after it's actually been created. Still the time without a valid passport will be minimal).
I don't know for sure what it was before that, since the last time I renewed was 10 years before that.
But being without a passport for even 2 weeks makes me nervous. It's a security blanket to know I have it to make last-minute international travel possible if necessary.
An online renewal where you don't have to send your old passport in and can keep it until your new arrives is a huge thing. (Granted, your old passport will probably become invalid at some point before you receive your new passport, but after it's actually been created. Still the time without a valid passport will be minimal).