My friend, whose ARI card was expiring on 14 March 2023, was having exactly same issue in January when the previous quarter online renewal opened. She provided her original passport to her lawyer on 1 or 2 February when she was in Lisbon and passport was returned to her on the same day evening. She did not know how her lawyer contacted SEF. The issue was resolved in approximately 20 days: from discovery to being able to generate DUC on SEF RENEWAL (not ARI) portal and make payment. Her new ARI card issuing date is 10 Feb 2023.