I am renewing passport this week and will soon be going to Colorado for 5 or 6 weeks so will have mail forwarded. Is the passport sent by regular mail or is it sent by certified - or other ways that need signature? It worries me to have any important mail forwarded, but you have to do what you have to do!! I know I don't want to go to DC this week. Thanks

I don't recall needing a signature; I think it is just mailed. You shouldn't have any issues. Have a nice time in Colorado.

It will be sent by First Class Mail, no signature required as Flyboy has stated.

It may take a full 6 weeks for your new passport to arrive or it may take three or less depending on the volume of renewals at the center you used.

Mine arrived by Priority Mail this week after a six week wait.

There was a recent thread on the U.S. Board.Unexpedited passports are taking longer than usual,about 8 weeks,according to some posters there.

I sent in my passport for renewal on 6/2 and according to the National Passport Agency's website on "checking passport status", it is due back to me by 7/18. They may be running a little longer now as it is prime time.

The rush to obtain passports by year's end due to the new rules no doubt is putting the pressure on the entire system. You can pay extra to have your renewal expedited, which we did. This might help:
http://travel.state.gov/passport_renewal.html

Try this one instead: http://travel.state.gov/

Giovanna--which new rules do you mean? The need to have a passport for Canada and Mexico or something else?

I got my renewed passport this week.
It took 6 weeks.
It came priority mail.
No signature required.

Yes Underhill, the need for a passport to enter the US, even go on a cruise. Sorry, I should have been more specific.

Phew! For one awful moment I thought we all needed to get new passports because of the chips.

Follow-up to previous post: I got my renewed passport on July 21st, which I sent in on June 1st., exactly as promised by the State Dept. Now it is off for a visa!