Renewing Passport - Passport Maiden/Green Card Married - Do I have to change names?

[LauraJayne 0]

Hello Everyone!

I have a Green Card, which is obviously in my married name. My passport (which is my first adult passport) is in my Maiden name, and due to expire in May 2016.

I'm going back to the UK for a visit from the end of November 2015 - early January 2016, and my original plan was to renew my passport while I was over there, and get the name change sorted out from Maiden to Married. However, I've already booked my flights in my Maiden name (to match my current passport) and it seems like it can't be changed.

Therefore, if any one could offer any help and advice on the following questions, I would be forever grateful (and it would probably stop my head exploding!)

1) Can you keep a passport - old or new - in your Maiden name indefinitely, if your Green Card is in your Married name, providing you carry your marriage certificate with you to explain the name change? (I saw some situations where people were told that they have to update passport to Married name, so I'm unclear on what is actually correct)

2) Does it cause any issues with the airline if I travel out on one passport/number, but return with a different passport/number, providing the name is the same? (I've contacted Delta more than once and no one has an answer for me!)

I heard that turn around from USA-UK isn't that long - around a month or so - so I was tempted to renew it before I go, but if renewing it while I'm home won't affect travel with the change in passport numbers (assuming the number changes?) it might be less hassle and cheaper.

Anyway, thank you in advance - and apologies for being so clueless!