Regarding the Times for Evening Prayer

Greetings,

The time for the evening prayer is until dawn; however, one should make sure to recite the Shema before midnight. Only post facto may it be recited until dawn (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 236:3).

And one who was forced by circumstances or ill, and did not pray the evening prayer while it was still night, and dawn has already arrived (and it is before the time for the sunrise), should recite the Shema with its blessings, but he should not say the blessing of hashkiveinu, nor should he pray Shmoneh Esrei, but rather he should wait until he prays the morning prayer, and after the morning prayer, he can pray the Shmoneh Esrei for the evening prayer's make-ups (see Shulchan Aruch and Rema there, § 4, Mishna Berura there, and halacha Brura there § 26).

With blessings,

Hillel Meirs