Registering an LPA with the OPG
Guidance from Estate Advisory Group
A signed LPA does nothing until it is registered. Registration is a postal application to the Office of the Public Guardian, with a statutory waiting period built in.
What to send
- The original signed LPA, with every page and any continuation sheets.
- The £92 fee, or form LPA120 with evidence if you are claiming a reduction.
- Confirmation that any LP3 notices have been sent.
Send it by a tracked service. It is an original document and a lost LPA means signing everything again.
What happens next
- The OPG acknowledges receipt.
- A statutory four-week period runs, allowing objections.
- The OPG checks the document for errors and eligibility.
- If all is well it is stamped as registered and returned to the applicant.
Total time is commonly a couple of months. See how long registration takes.
When it comes back
- Store the original somewhere safe and dry, not in a bank safe deposit the attorney cannot reach.
- Note the OPG reference and the activation key for the online Use an LPA service.
- Register it with banks and providers — see using an LPA with banks.
- Make certified copies rather than handing over the original.
Common questions
Who should be the applicant?
Either the donor or an attorney. The donor applying is slightly simpler because they can also handle the fee.
Can registration be rushed?
No. The four-week objection period is set by law and applies to every application.
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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