Make, register or end a lasting power of attorney

Skip contents

Make a lasting power of attorney

You can make a lasting power of attorney (LPA) online or using paper forms.

Either way, you need to get other people to sign the forms, including the attorneys and witnesses.

You can get someone else to use the online service or fill in the paper forms for you, for example a family member, friend or solicitor.

You must register your LPA or your attorney will not be able to make decisions for you.

It takes 8 to 10 weeks to make an LPA if there are no mistakes in the application. It’s usually quicker if you make it and pay online.

Make an LPA online

Create or sign in to an existing account to:

  • make an LPA
  • continue making an LPA that you’ve already started

You can then:

  • get help and guidance at each step
  • save your forms and complete them later
  • review your answers and fix any mistakes

You need to print out the forms and sign them when you’ve finished.

Start now

If you’ve made and registered an LPA already, there’s a different service for using an LPA.

Use the paper forms

Download the forms and print them out.

Signing the forms

You need to sign the forms before you send them off. They also need to be signed by:

  • the attorneys
  • witnesses
  • a ‘certificate provider’, who confirms you’re making the LPA by choice and you understand what you’re doing

Everyone must sign the same original document. They cannot sign copies or use digital signatures.

Who can be a witness or certificate provider

Witnesses and certificate providers must be 18 or over.

Attorneys can witness each other sign, but they cannot:

  • witness you sign
  • sign as the certificate provider

You cannot be a witness if you’re the person appointing an attorney.

Get help

Ask the Office of the Public Guardian about help you can get if you:

  • do not have a computer or printer
  • want to use the online service but need some help

Office of the Public Guardian
[email protected]
Telephone: 0300 456 0300
Textphone: 0115 934 2778
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9am to 5pm
Wednesday, 10am to 5pm
Find out about call charges

View a printable version of the whole guide

Related content