LPA Guide

Registering a Lasting Power of Attorney

An LPA must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before it can be used. Here is everything you need to know about the registration process, costs and timescales.

Get Help with Your LPALPA Overview
£82
OPG registration fee per LPA
8–20 weeks
Current OPG processing time
Must register first
LPA cannot be used until registered

How to Register an LPA — Step by Step

The registration process involves several steps that must be completed in the correct order.

01

Complete the LPA forms

The LPA must be completed on the official OPG forms (LP1F for Property & Financial Affairs, LP1H for Health & Welfare). The forms must be signed in the correct order — donor first, then certificate provider, then attorneys.

Important: Signing in the wrong order is one of the most common reasons LPAs are rejected.
02

Notify people (if required)

If the donor has named people to be notified when the LPA is registered, those people must be notified using form LP3 before the application is submitted. They have 3 weeks to raise any concerns.

Important: Notification is optional — the donor can choose not to name anyone to be notified.
03

Submit the application to the OPG

The completed LPA forms, along with the registration fee (currently £82 per LPA), are submitted to the Office of the Public Guardian. Applications can be submitted online via the OPG's digital service or by post.

Important: The registration fee is £82 per LPA. If you are making both types of LPA, the total fee is £164.
04

OPG processes the application

The OPG checks the application for errors and compliance. If there are any issues, they will contact you to correct them. The OPG must wait at least 4 weeks after notifying any named people before registering the LPA.

Important: The OPG currently takes 8–20 weeks to register an LPA. This is why it is important to make your LPA well in advance of needing it.
05

LPA registered and returned

Once registered, the OPG stamps each page of the LPA with a registration stamp and returns it to the applicant (usually the donor or their solicitor). The registered LPA can then be used when needed.

Important: Keep the original registered LPA in a safe place. You will need to produce it to banks and other institutions.

Registration Fees

OPG registration fees as of 2025. Fee exemptions and remissions are available for people on low incomes.

ItemAmount
Registration fee per LPA£82
Both LPAs (Property & Financial + Health & Welfare)£164
Fee exemption (means-tested)£0
Fee remission (50% reduction)£41 per LPA
Solicitor's fees for preparationVaries

Common Mistakes That Cause Rejection

These are the most frequent errors that cause LPA applications to be rejected or delayed by the OPG.

Signing in the wrong order — LPA will be rejected — must be re-signed
Critical
Certificate provider signs before the donor — Invalid — certificate provider must sign after the donor
Critical
Attorney signs before the donor — Invalid — attorneys must sign after the donor
Critical
Using correction fluid (Tipp-Ex) — LPA may be rejected — corrections must be initialled
Moderate
Leaving sections blank — OPG will return the form for completion
Moderate
Certificate provider is a family member — Invalid — family members cannot act as certificate providers
Critical
Not notifying named people before applying — Registration will be delayed or refused
Moderate
Paying the wrong fee — Application will be returned
Minor

Why use a solicitor?

A solicitor experienced in LPA preparation will ensure the forms are completed correctly, signed in the right order, and submitted with the correct fee. The cost of professional assistance is usually far less than the cost of having to re-sign and re-submit a rejected LPA — particularly if the donor's capacity deteriorates in the meantime.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to register an LPA?
The OPG currently takes 8–20 weeks to register an LPA from the date of application. This is why it is important to make and register your LPA well in advance of needing it — you cannot use an LPA until it is registered, and you cannot register it if you have already lost mental capacity.
How much does it cost to register an LPA?
The OPG registration fee is currently £82 per LPA. If you are making both a Property & Financial Affairs LPA and a Health & Welfare LPA, the total registration fee is £164. Fee exemptions and remissions are available for people on low incomes or receiving certain benefits.
Can I register an LPA myself without a solicitor?
Yes — you can complete and register an LPA yourself using the OPG's online service or paper forms. However, LPAs are complex legal documents and errors are common. A solicitor can ensure the forms are completed correctly, act as certificate provider, and advise on the best structure for your circumstances.
What happens if the LPA is rejected by the OPG?
If the OPG identifies an error, they will contact you to correct it. Minor errors can often be corrected without re-signing. However, fundamental errors — such as signing in the wrong order — require the entire document to be re-signed. This can cause significant delays.
Can an LPA be used before it is registered?
No — an LPA cannot be used until it has been registered with the OPG. This is a common misconception. Even if the LPA has been signed by all parties, it has no legal effect until the OPG has registered it and returned the stamped document.
What is the difference between making and registering an LPA?
Making an LPA involves completing and signing the forms. Registering the LPA involves submitting the signed forms to the OPG and paying the registration fee. Both steps are required before the LPA can be used. Many people make the mistake of signing the forms but not registering them.
Can I register an LPA if the donor has already lost capacity?
No — an LPA can only be made and registered while the donor has mental capacity. If the donor has already lost capacity, it is too late to make an LPA. In that situation, a deputyship application to the Court of Protection would be needed instead — a more expensive and time-consuming process.
How do I apply for a fee exemption or remission?
Fee exemptions are available if the donor receives certain means-tested benefits (such as Universal Credit, Income Support or Pension Credit). Fee remissions (50% reduction) are available if the donor's gross income is under £12,000 per year. You apply using form LPA120A alongside your registration application.
What should I do with the registered LPA?
Keep the original registered LPA in a safe place — ideally with your solicitor or in a fireproof safe. Make certified copies for use with banks and other institutions. Tell your attorney where the original is kept. Consider registering it with the National Will Register so it can be found if needed.

Related Guides

How to Make an LPATypes of LPALPA CostsCertificate ProviderWho Can Override an LPADeputyship (if LPA not possible)