ILR BRP - change of circumstances (name change)

[Bakhita903]

My wife was granted ILR earlier this year. Since then, she has decided that she'd like to take my surname. Her current Colombian passport and her BRP are in her maiden name. She was planning to apply for a new Colombian passport in her new name (which apparently is a quick process), and then apply for a new BRP also in her new name, however I understand it can take up to 6 months to receive a new BRP. We were planning to travel to Europe next April - does anyone know if Super Priority is available for applications for a new BRP due to change of circumstances?

[alterhase58]

BRP applications are not an immigration applications - accelerated services are not available.

[CR001]

does anyone know if Super Priority is available for applications for a new BRP due to change of circumstances?

There isn't.

Also note that a new brp will only be valid till 31st december 2024 when a new digital status will be implemented

Why does she not apply for british citizenship once she changes her passport?

[Bakhita903]

Would she need to change her Colombian passport before applying for British citizenship? If we are planning to travel in April, and she has her new Colombian passport but is still waiting for a decision on her citizenship application, will she be allowed entry back into the UK? As her BRP would still be in her old name - would she be able to travel while waiting for a decision on citizenship?

[CR001]

If she want her citizenship in her married name then yes, she must change her passport first.

She is free to travel after she has applied. Carry marriage cert to prove the name difference

[Bakhita903]

Thank you for your help. It's only recently that she has decided to change her name, so the marriage certificate won't state her new name. Do you happen to know if a deed poll would be acceptable when travelling?

[CR001]

The marriage cert states your name, which will match her new passport! A marriage cert wont state her new name but will reflect her new surname (yours) and her brp maiden name. This has been done by many before with no issues.

[Bakhita903]

Thank you for your help. I didn't know it was permissible to travel while waiting for a decision on the citizenship application. Also if she changes her name by deed poll I was under the impression she mjst apply for a new BRP within 3 months of doing so. In this case, would the fact that she applies for citizenship (in her new name) mean that she therefore does not need to apply for a new BRP? i.e. it's fine to have the BRP in her old name as she will have applied for citizenship in the new name?