Passport renewal - how long to receive passport after Embassy appointment?

Just wondered if anyone has recently renewed their US passport at the Embassy in London, and if so, how long it took to receive your passport after the appointment? We took my son in last week (20 July) and have travel to the US booked for next week (5 August). At the Embassy, one person told us the passport would arrive in time, one told us it wouldn't, and one told us it might or might not - very mixed messages!

We were told to get in touch on 2 or 3 Aug if the passport hasn't arrived by then - does anyone know what happens in this case? Are they able to issue a temporary or emergency passport? Or would they only return the expired passport to us (as apparently he is able to travel on it)?

Thanks for any recent experiences anyone can share!

Two to three weeks at the moment.

If you haven't received it within 5 days of travel, contact the embassy and they'll issue an emergency passport.... which frankly they should have done if you already had flights booked.  But their hands are tied and they can't issue emergency passports with more than 5 days before travel...  it's a shambles right now.

Thanks so much - it looks like we are right on the cusp (2 weeks and 2 days between appointment and travel). Could I just ask, when you say 5 days - does that mean 5 working days? Just wondering if I should contact them on a Friday as 5 days before will fall on the weekend.

Thanks again for this info; that's really helpful!

I believe it’s business days.  I’d email at 5 business days and if no response, email 5 actual days again.  Be sure to attach your booking confirmation!