Certified copies of an LPA
Guidance from Estate Advisory Group
You should not post the original LPA around the country. A certified copy has the same effect, and the donor or a solicitor can certify it.
Who can certify
- The donor, while they have capacity — free, and often overlooked.
- A solicitor or notary — usually a small fee per copy.
- A stockbroker, for some financial institutions.
Attorneys cannot certify copies of their own LPA.
How to do it properly
- Photocopy every page of the registered LPA, including the OPG stamp.
- On each page, write: "I certify this is a true and complete copy of the corresponding page of the original Lasting Power of Attorney."
- On the final page add: "I certify this is a true and complete copy of the Lasting Power of Attorney."
- Sign and date every page of the copy.
Every page, every signature
Banks routinely reject copies where only the first page is certified, or where pages are missing. It is the most common reason an attorney's first attempt fails.
The modern alternative
For LPAs registered in recent years the OPG's online Use an LPA service lets an attorney give a bank a secure access code instead, which avoids paper copies entirely where the provider supports it.
Common questions
How many copies should I make?
One per provider you deal with, plus a spare. Certifying several at once while the donor still has capacity saves money later.
Is a solicitor's certification better?
No, it carries the same effect. It is simply the option available once the donor no longer has capacity.
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This is general information about how Lasting Powers of Attorney work in England and Wales. It is not legal advice about your situation. What we do and do not do.
Published by Estate Advisory Group