Changing Name on US Passport Before BRP Renewal

Hi, my brp card doesn't expire until January of 2024 so I plan on renewing my passport in my married name before I apply for my new visa. I know online it says you have within 3 months to update your brp card. Is that 3 months from when you submit the application or three months from when you receive your new passport? I'm planning on traveling at the end of Nov and home to the states for Christmas and just want to make sure I have my updated passport in time and do not run into any issues with my brp card. Thanks!

It’s 3 months from receiving the new US passport.

The name on your BRP must match the name on your passport at all times. If you change your name on your passport you have 3 months from receiving it to apply to change your name on the BRP, or you can be fined £1000 and have your visa cancelled.

However, you do have to go through the whole online application submission and biometrics process again to update the BRP, and it can take several weeks for it to be processed, plus it costs £200 to do it!

So, to make things easier, it’s best to update your US passport in the 3 months before you submit your ILR application… so that instead of having to change your name on your current BRP, you can just apply for ILR in the new name and get your next BRP issued in that new name.


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Hi @ksand24 thank you for your help. That makes sense. Yes my plan is to get my new passport within three months of my renewal date and then just do my next visa with my new passport in my new name. There's no issues with traveling in interim as long as I travel with my passport in my new name, my old passport and my brp card right?

Travelling while the passport and BRP don't match isn't recommended.  I don't know of anyone who did it and sailed through. 

BRP's are being eliminated on January 1, 2025.  The Home Office has said they will provide an update on what will be used to prove immigration status in January 2024 to give people time to prepare for the switch.  It could mean that it's super easy to update your name at the start of 2025.  It may not be quick and easy though.  Bit of a gamble.  Just thought you should know it's all changing. 

I'd change the name on your passport AFTER your travel.  Then there are no unknowns and you won't have any stress or worries during your holiday.

Thanks @KFdancer. That makes sense. Unfortunately I won't have time to change it after traveling as I have to submit my renewal as soon as I return to the UK so I'll just do it another time. My passport is valid until 2029.