Registering a Lasting power of attorney (England and Wales)

Before a 'Lasting power of attorney' can be used, it will need to be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). Applications can be completed by either the donor or the attorney. Separate applications are required for a 'Lasting power of attorney for property and financial affairs' and a 'Lasting power of attorney for health and welfare'. If the lasting power of attorney was made using either form LP1F or LP1H, the application form is part of the lasting power of attorney. If the lasting power of attorney was made using an older version of the form, then an extra form is needed: 'LP2 Register your lasting power of attorney'.

Before an LPA can be registered, all the people (if any) named as 'People to notify' must be notified of the intention to register the LPA, by using an 'LP3 Notice of intention to register a lasting power of attorney'. These people have three weeks from the date of the notice in which to object to the registration.

Only once the 'people to notify' have been notified of the intention to register the LPA, should the relevant application form be completed and submitted to the OPG. The OPG will send notice to the donor and any non-applying co-attorneys (if the attorney(s) are registering) or to the attorneys (if the donor is registering) to inform them of the intention to register. In both instances, they will be given the opportunity to object to the registration.

If there are no objections to the application, then the registered copy will be sent to the applicant after a four-week waiting period.

The information on this page applies to England and Wales only.

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