Ask if you can use a courier service. These are companies that take your stuff, go to the office, stand in line for you, overnight it back to you. It’s legit - the post office told me to use one when I needed expedited service.

Your daughter’s situation is slightly different so I don’t known it’ll work. But it’s worth asking, and the few bucks she’d have to spend well makes up for the 15 hours of travel alone.

I went to the Federal Building in person in San Francisco (next to The Civic Center) to get my first passport, but that was in 1975. I don't remember any more details than that, but I think I went back to the Federal Building when I had to have it renewed. It used to be more difficult to get a passport than it is now.

I also went to the Federal Building in Los Angeles when I first had my passport renewed here.

Before I went to Brazil, I had to get a visa, which cost $60 or $80 (good for 10 years), at the Brazilian Consulate in Los Angeles, and that took two months, during which time they held my passport. A couple of years later they dropped the requirement of paying for a visa, but the reason they had it was that the U.S. required payment for visas for Brazilians coming here.

My current passport expires Jan 2023, and I plan to apply for a renewal two months before that, even though I do not have travel plans until next summer. I do not have a California "real" ID, and so I need my passport for any domestic travel.

I never expect the government to be efficient, and that starts with the post office.

I renewed my passport last year. I did it online and received it in about ten days. At the time nobody was travelling much. Now people are travelling again I think they are inundated.

I don't know why there's such a delay. DH renewed his passport last January 2021 and at the time there were reports that it was taking up to 3 months although the government's web site stated 6 8 weeks. We paid for expedited processing and shipping and he received it 4 weeks to the day we mailed it.

DS and I went to Ireland right before Covid and he forgot to send in his application so he went into NYC and received his passport in one day - and that was only 2 days before we left.

If time is running out, there may be no alternatives. What caused this predicament, did she forget to apply for a renewal enough in advance?

Try calling your US Representative. In my district, Anna Eshoo's staff are tremendously helpful getting you to speak with the right person who can move things faster.

No Elmer, she did it in May, don't remember the exact day. They received it June 9th and then sent her an email and supposedly a letter, which never came, asking why her old passport was damaged. She didn't see the email until a couple weeks ago and so she overnighted the email, signed with her explanation back to them. I know the letter never arrived because the mailing address she gave them was my address.

Not sure about contacting the state representative. She already set up the appointment so not sure if they can do anything.

Yes. Years ago. Went to Chicago. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do.