The OPG 'Use an LPA' service
Guidance from Estate Advisory Group
Written and legally reviewed by Ramani Gill TEP, Solicitor and private client practitioner·Last reviewed 13 August 2026
A digital way to prove an LPA exists. The attorney generates a code, the organisation looks up a read-only summary — no photocopying, no certification.
How it works
- The donor or attorney activates the LPA online using the activation key sent by the OPG on registration.
- The attorney generates an access code for a specific organisation.
- The organisation enters the code on the OPG's site and sees a summary of the LPA.
- Codes expire, and the attorney can see who has viewed the LPA.
What to check
- Availability depends on when the LPA was registered — older paper LPAs may not be included.
- Not every bank or organisation uses it yet, so keep certified copies available.
- Keep the activation key safe with the original document; replacing it means contacting the OPG.
Check current coverage on GOV.UK
The service and the list of participating organisations have expanded over time. Confirm the current position on GOV.UK before relying on it exclusively.
Why it helps
The traditional route means posting original documents or paying for certified copies, then waiting for each provider to return them. A code is instant, auditable and free — a genuine improvement for attorneys managing several providers at once.
Worked example: sharing one LPA with several providers
Once his father's LPA is registered and activated online, Kwame generates a separate access code for the bank, the pension provider and the local council's adult social care team. Each organisation types the code into the OPG's site and sees a read-only summary confirming Kwame's authority, without ever handling a paper copy. When the bank's code expires after its 24-hour window, Kwame simply logs back in and generates a new one, and can see in his own account exactly which organisations have looked at the LPA and when.
Table: paper certification versus the online service
| Feature | Certified paper copy | OPG online service |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free (donor) or a solicitor's fee | Free |
| Speed | Days to weeks by post | Minutes, where the provider supports it |
| Audit trail | None, unless you keep your own log | Attorney can see who viewed the LPA |
| Provider coverage | Universal | Growing, but not yet every organisation |
Setting up access for the first time
- Find the twelve-character activation key printed on the letter the OPG sends when the LPA is registered.
- Go to GOV.UK and sign in or create an account for the 'Use a lasting power of attorney' service.
- Enter the activation key together with the donor's details to link the LPA to the account.
- From then on, generate a fresh access code whenever a new organisation needs to view it.
Security and who can see what
An access code only reveals a read-only summary of the LPA — the donor's name, the attorneys, the type of LPA and any restrictions — not full account details or the original scanned document. The organisation cannot use the code to view the LPA again once it expires, and the attorney's own account shows a running log of every code generated and whether it has been used, which is useful evidence if a dispute ever arises about whether a provider was given proper notice.
When the paper route is still needed
Some smaller organisations, older pension schemes and overseas institutions have no way to check a code against the OPG's database, so they will still ask for a certified copy or the original document. Attorneys managing several providers often find it quickest to try the online service first for larger banks, then fall back to certified copies for anything that does not support it, rather than assuming one method will cover every provider.
Common questions
Do we still need the paper LPA?
Yes. Keep the registered original safe; it remains the legal document.
Can the donor use the service too?
Yes, a donor can activate and share their own LPA while they have capacity.
How long does an access code last?
Codes are typically valid for a short window, often around 24 hours, so generate one shortly before you expect the organisation to use it.
What if the attorney loses the activation key?
Contact the OPG to have it reissued. Keep the key with the original LPA so it is not misplaced separately.
Is there a fee to use the online service?
No, activating an LPA and generating access codes through the OPG's service is free, unlike certified copies produced by a solicitor.
Can more than one attorney generate access codes?
Yes, each attorney named on the LPA can set up their own account and generate codes independently, which is useful where attorneys act jointly and severally and deal with different providers.
Does the donor need to be involved every time an attorney generates a code?
No. Once the donor or an attorney has activated the LPA using the activation key, any attorney with an account can generate further access codes without involving the donor again.
What happens if capacity is lost before the LPA is activated online?
The activation key still works — activating the online service does not require the donor's involvement, only the attorney's, so a financial LPA can be linked online even after the donor has lost capacity.
Read next
Where this fits
This page is part of Registration and using an LPA. The pages below take it further.
- How our service works
The four steps from choosing your LPA to a registered LPA.
- Make an LPA online
The whole journey end to end: questions, documents, signing and registration.
Review and sources
Reviewed by Ramani Gill TEP, Solicitor and private client practitioner. Last reviewed 13 August 2026. We recheck fees, forms and Office of the Public Guardian guidance whenever they change — see our editorial policy.
Official sources
Ready to make your LPA?
Choose one LPA or both, then start online for £49 per LPA.
The Office of the Public Guardian charges a separate £92 to register each LPA.
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