My wifes passport (change of name)

My wife has not changed her name on her passport yet due to the fact it is expensive and she still has another 4.5years to go on it, I am up for my next visa in April/May 08, she is British.
Do you think this will be ok or should she just send it for a name change to her married name, will it cause hassle when I come to get my next visa if she doesn't change it, we are hoping to go to get the visa in person.

Thanks

You and your wife do not have to have the same surname on your passports. My US passport and all the visa/leave stamps in it are all in my maiden name. (I entered the UK on a fiance visa and never changed my name on my passport after I got married.)

No we never thought about it till now, it was a bit due to the amount of time left on her passport and the expense of it just to change her name, she would get another 10year and they add a yearish on to that if you have more than so many years left plus the fact we really did not want to part with our original marriage certif till I have this next visa.

We just thought oh oh what if this causes a problem when we get to the appointment.

I also never changed mine, so I doubt it'll be an issue. I actually use both names, maiden and married depending on circumstances and never had a problem at all.