UK citizen passport name change before FLR

I have just found this forum and have to say I wish myself and my husband had discovered it earlier...it would have saved us a lot of unnecessary worrying when we were applying for my husbands fiance visa!

So My Husband (US citizen) got his fiance visa in January, We got married in February and are currently getting things together for his FLR (m) application.

I am pretty sure we have most things we need, however as his sponsor, I need to send a copy of my passport. Should I renew it before we send the application so my name is changed to my married name, or will it be ok in my maiden name? It is still in date until 2019.
I probably should have mentioned that I am a British citizen.

Obviously getting a new passport would require me to send off the original marriage certificate, which we need for the FLR application, and we want to get this done as soon as we can. I haven't been able to renew it yet as we needed the certificate to open a joint bank account and add my husband to my tenancy agreement (plus I need to change the name on my driving licence) ect ect.

Any advice would be much appreciated.
As the fiance visa was approved I am fairly confident that this should be too, but I'm sure I will end up with more questions!

Also, does anyone know if they are increasing the fees for these visas as they did last April? I cant seem to find anything published about it for 2017.

Thanks!

I'd wait to change your name on your passport until after you have applied for your husband's FLR(M).  It makes zero difference to his application what name your passport is in, so I'd prioritise the visa application.

I'd also look into getting more than one copy of your marriage license.  Even just a second copy could save you a lot of stress.  That way when the one is sent off for the application, you can still "do" other things that require the certificate.

Still no word on the fee increase.  I suspect the announcement could be made shortly after today's showdown.  I'm just hoping it isn't dramatic!

The name on your passport is irrelevant for the visa as you are the UK citizen. You will be providing your marriage certificate so they can see the name change on there.

We haven't seen anything published regarding fee rises yet - normally they announce them 1-2 months in advance of the increase, so I'm not sure what's going on this year.


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That is really helpful, thank you both for your speedy replies!

I will definitely order another copy of the certificate, with everything going on i didn't think of that!

Yeah, it is a bit strange that they haven't announced an increase, but i guess with brexit they may be somewhat preoccupied...here's hoping that means there wont be one! (wishful thinking i know)

Yeah, it is a bit strange that they haven't announced an increase, here's hoping that means there wont be one!

Lol!  That was a good one. 

Currently the maximum fees allowed have been approved through April 5, 2020.  For FLR(M), we know the maximum (and therefore likely fee) starting in April of 2019 will be £2,000.  So I would expect there will be an increase this year and it will be substantial (probably an increase from £811 to £1,200ish).

They are required to give 40 days notice of the increase though!

Lol!  That was a good one. 

I know, i edited to sound less flippant!
Just to clarify with the 40 days notice, that means even if they did say announce an increase tomorrow, the new fee wont come into effect until 40 days from then...so if we apply within that time it would still be £811?

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my ridiculous questions, it is really helpful.

I know, i edited to sound less flippant!
Just to clarify with the 40 days notice, that means even if they did say announce an increase tomorrow, the new fee wont come into effect until 40 days from then...so if we apply within that time it would still be £811?

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my ridiculous questions, it is really helpful.

Exactly, you'll have a buffer to apply with the lower fee.  Unless they change that too!   

Ooh, good information that the price increase doesn't take effect immediately. Phew! Though it's still far too expensive.

Ooh, good information that the price increase doesn't take effect immediately. Phew! Though it's still far too expensive.

And it's going to get a hell of a lot more expensive over the next few years!  It's truly appalling.