2012 ILR - lived out of UK more than 2 years AND name change

[Antip0dean]

Hi,

Firstly, thank you to anyone who is able to help.

I am new to the forum and have searched to see if there was a similar post but I can't see a specific question the same as this that is current (within 2 years) so I hope I am not asking something that is easy to find.

Background:

I obtained my ILR in Aug 2012 from a civil partner visa
I am married to a British Citizen
Since I have had my ILR I have had two periods of time where I have not lived in the UK; 19 months & 15 months so I have not been able to apply for my British Citizenship as I have not had a consecutive 3 year period in the UK.

I should qualify for British Citizenship in December of this year (2018) but I have recently changed my name in my home country. Ideally, I don't want to have to update my BRP for two reasons:

1 - The postal application requires you to send away your passport and processing times are 6 months and I can't afford to not have my passport for this time.
2 - If I do the premium service it's £850+!

If I don't update my current passport do I need to notify UK Border Agency of my name change?

The easiest path for me is to wait until I qualify for a British Passport and at that time change my current passport to my new name then apply for British Passport.

Appreciate any help or advice, thank you.