First, I would suggest you aggregate all of the tips in one posting. I have another tip or two – First, send in the passport renewal by Priority mail (2 or 3 days). It only adds a couple of bucks and you can track it;

Second, a week after you send in the Passport, check your bank account to see whether Passport Services have cashed your check. Even though I received a response of status not found on the gov’t website, my check was cashed, so I know that the envelope was received.

Keep up the great work.