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Registration (LPA)

Also known as: LPA Registration, OPG Registration

Definition

Registration is the mandatory process of submitting your completed Lasting Power of Attorney to the Office of Public Guardian to make it legally valid and usable by your attorneys.

Your LPA has no legal force until it's been officially registered—banks, healthcare providers, and other institutions will refuse to recognise an unregistered LPA, regardless of how carefully it was completed.

What Does Registration (LPA) Mean?

Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, registration is the final step that transforms your signed LPA document into legally binding authority. The Office of Public Guardian (OPG)—the government body responsible for safeguarding vulnerable adults—validates your LPA, checks for errors and compliance, then issues a registered document stamped "validated-OPG." Only this registered version gives your attorney legal power to act on your behalf.

Registration currently costs £82 per LPA (rising to £92 from 17 November 2025). If you create both types of LPA—Property and Financial Affairs and Health and Welfare—you'll pay £164 total (or £184 after the fee increase). Fee reductions are available if you earn less than £12,000 annually, and exemptions apply if you receive certain benefits like Income Support. Processing takes 8 to 10 weeks for error-free applications, though delays can extend to 20 weeks during busy periods.

Common rejection reasons include incorrect signing order (donor must sign first, then certificate provider, then attorneys), missing signatures, attorneys witnessing the donor's signature (conflict of interest), and using correction fluid or pencil. Emma registered both her LPAs for £164 total. Nine weeks later, both returned stamped and valid. Five years later, when she developed early-stage dementia at age 60, her daughter could immediately use the Property and Financial Affairs LPA to manage Emma's finances—no court applications, no delays.

Registration timing is crucial. David completed his LPA but waited to register it, thinking he'd do so "when needed." At 62, he had a sudden stroke. His son James discovered the unregistered LPA had no legal authority—David's bank refused access. James had to apply for Court of Protection deputyship costing £371 and taking six months, while David's bills went unpaid. If David had registered immediately (£82, 8-10 weeks), James could have accessed the account within days.

Common Questions

"Can I use my LPA before it's registered?" No, an LPA must be registered with the Office of Public Guardian before it can be used. Until registration is complete, your attorney has no legal power to make decisions on your behalf, even if the LPA has been properly signed by everyone involved.

"How long does LPA registration take?" LPA registration currently takes 8 to 10 weeks if there are no errors in the application. However, mistakes or missing information can cause delays, and during busy periods processing times can extend to 20 weeks or more.

"Should I register my LPA immediately or wait until I need it?" It's strongly recommended to register your LPA as soon as it's completed, even if you don't need it yet. Early registration avoids delays in emergencies, and if errors are found while you still have capacity, they can be corrected. If you wait until you've lost capacity and errors are discovered, it may be impossible to fix them.

Common Misconceptions

Myth: A signed LPA is legally valid and can be used immediately

Reality: An LPA must be registered with the Office of Public Guardian before it has any legal force. Even if perfectly completed and signed by everyone, an unregistered LPA gives your attorney zero legal authority—banks, healthcare providers, and other organisations will not recognise it.

Myth: I should wait to register my LPA until I actually need it

Reality: You should register your LPA as soon as it's completed, even if you're in perfect health. Registration takes 8 to 20 weeks, so waiting until an emergency means your family will be left without legal authority during the exact time they need it most. Additionally, if errors are found during registration after you've lost capacity, they cannot be corrected, potentially invalidating the entire LPA.

  • Office of Public Guardian: The government body responsible for registering all LPAs and validating their legal compliance.
  • Lasting Power of Attorney: The legal document that must be registered before your attorneys can use it to make decisions on your behalf.
  • Donor (LPA Context): The person who creates the LPA and initiates the registration process, paying the registration fee.
  • Attorney (LPA Context): The person who will use the registered LPA to make decisions once registration is complete.
  • Certificate Provider: Must sign the LPA before it can be submitted for registration, confirming the donor understands the document.

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Legal Disclaimer:

This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. WUHLD is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Laws and guidance change and their application depends on your circumstances. For advice about your situation, consult a qualified solicitor or regulated professional. Unless stated otherwise, information relates to England and Wales.