Which comes first - US passport with married surname or UK spousal visa?

Hi all, Hoping you can help me, I came Dec 2007 on a HSMP visa (expires this December). Last month I married my British partner and we have just gotten back from honeymoon. Should I be contacting the US first to get my new passport with my new last name (now Lee) or should I send straightaway for the UK spousal visa FLR on my maiden name passport (currently Hastings)? Please let me know ASAP as I think I need to get started so can get it all wrapped up by December!!! Thanks in advance...

There is no right answer here, it is entirely up to you.  You are actually under no obligation to change the name in your passport at all, nor do you have to switch to an FLR(M).  You could renew your HSMP/Tier 1.  However, if you want to change the name in your passport and switch your visa, change the name first, otherwise you will have to pay to transfer the visa or carry two passports.  The visa will always be issued in the name that is on the applicant's valid passport, so if you want the visa in your married name, then change the passport first.   

Takes about 3 weeks to get a passport renewal out of London. Which is in plenty enough time before December.

It really just depends on if you want your visa in your married or maiden name, as it will be issued in the name of the passport. Also if your passport is set to expire before 2 years you'll end up carrying 2 passports around with you. As it is August, you won't qualify for ILR before July 2011 and the changes. So it really doesn't make much difference visa wise as you'll have to do earned citizenship anyway.