QUOTE(Jeraly @ Jan 8 2008, 07:41 AM)

So being in the US and changing your passport to your married name would involve you sending the passport back to the UK - do you need it for AOS at all or can you just file in your married name and send your passport off at the same time? I mean you can't go anywhere anyway until you have AP so...

No you can send it to the embassy in Washington. You only need a copy for AOS, you don't actually send it in with your application - though you will need it for biometrics. Exactly, you can't go anywhere anyways - so to me it is the perfect opportunity to get it done.
Once you do get married, get a few extra certified copies of the marriage certificate. We ended up with 5 (really we wanted 3). But it made it so much easier - we sent one of for my passport, USC, one with AOS and then we have one we can show - like for DMV, etc. This way you aren't stressing to receive a copy back.