I am a US citizen and recently got married in the US. My husband, who is also a U.S. citizen, was accepted to a PhD program in the UK and we need to move to London by January 2022. I am in the process of changing my documents to my married name and am expecting my social security card soon (same number with new married name). My current US passport with my maiden name expires in April 2022.
I am wondering if 1) I can apply for the UK visa now with my current passport that has my maiden name to travel to the UK in January and then apply for a new passport in my married name at that time. Is this possible and would the UK visa then transfer to the new passport? Or 2) do I need to get a new passport/renew now in my married name and wait to get the UK visa until after I receive a passport with my married name? I am concerned that I will not receive it in time as it takes at least 3-4 months for passport plus the time for the UK visa application. Thank you.