Both my daughters’ passports expired. They are kids and it looks like they will have to get new ones. My wife was thinking we just go to to the USPS office on Saturday (which is how we do in the good old days), and I promptly stopped her. Because from my own experience, a lot of things changed since pandemic. So I went to the USPS website for passport application including renewal.
One thing to keep in mind for the kids passport app: “Both parents/guardians must authorize the issuance of a child’s passport. The best way to give consent is for both parents/guardians to go with the child when applying.” I think I can understand the intention behind this: both parents being present. That is to prevent any dispute of child custody and to prevent one parent takes child away from another. In practice though, this may put more burden on any hourly working parent. Because they may have to leave work (unpaid) to get the passport application in. So there is that.
Also make sure both parents have valid IDs. The cost is $100 for the state department, and $50 for the post office. Since we applied for 2 kids, so the total is about $300. The state department portion has to be cash, debit (there is a small fee) or check (no fees for check), it cannot be credit card. So make sure bring a checkbook as needed. Btw, the clerk at USPS office is very friendly. She took my older daughter’s picture for a few times to make sure it’s good.
Btw, noticed the California Pizza Kitchen in Creve Coeur only offered takeout yesterday evening. We took our friends to the Bristol’s instead. A few days ago I noticed the Noodles and Co. has a lot of takeout customers too, I think mostly probably offered via web or mobile app. Very few people ate inside the restaurant.
PS: Covid pandemic definitely changed things around. I recall renewing the license plate online during the pandemic: “I saw long lines at the license office at Olivette yesterday too. I also just did a first-time online license plate renewal 2 days ago. It’s not the sharpest website but it works. I think we should try new things, especially considering the pandemic. (not everyone can renew online)”