[jess]

Didn't see this elswhere... sorry if it's a duplicate... US passports are taking longer than expected for some - up to three months or more. If you need a passport or renewal before leaving for NZ, you might want to read this...
http://redtape.msnbc.com/2007/06/passport_proble.html#posts

[suzer]

Mine only took me a few weeks for a renewal:/

[WA to SI]

I just renewed mine, overnighted it, provided a return overnight package and paid the $60 for expedited service. From day of mailing to passport in hand was 11 days.

[movefromus]

Yeah, as long as you pay the extra fee you can get them pretty quick. The man who advised that woman not to get hers expedited was clueless. We're not leaving for 3 months but we knew there was an issue and didn't want to take chances. My husband's renewal took less than 2 weeks I think and the kids took about 3 weeks.

Carly