Emergent question on 換發護照 in houston

My return trip ticket is due on Tuesday morning, becuase my daughter is still revovering from a bad pnuemonia. I am asking, can I just bring all her application documentss applying passport for her,her passport will expire in two weeks,  we are 3hrs drive from houston now, we are from another state. I still can't understand why we need to come personally no mailing service??? I don't have more vocation time available anymore.

Please answer if you have any experience.  Thanks.

Happy holidays!