A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) only works once it's been registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). Many people complete the forms but don't realise that an unregistered LPA cannot be used — even in an emergency.
This guide walks you through the entire registration process, from start to finish, so you know exactly what to expect and how to avoid common mistakes.
Key Takeaways
- An LPA must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before it can be used
- Registration currently takes around 12-16 weeks
- The registration fee is £82 per LPA (reduced or free for low-income applicants)
- You can register an LPA online or by post — online is faster
- Common errors on the forms are the main cause of delays and rejections
- A solicitor can handle the entire process and ensure it's done correctly first time
What Is LPA Registration?
Registration is the process of submitting your completed LPA to the OPG for checking and approval. The OPG verifies that the document is correctly completed, the donor had capacity, and all the legal requirements are met.
Without registration, an LPA is just a piece of paper. Banks, hospitals, and care homes will not accept an unregistered LPA, no matter how correctly it's been completed.
12-16 weeks
is the current average processing time for LPA registration
Source: Office of the Public Guardian, 2025
Before You Register: Getting the LPA Right
Before you can register, you need a correctly completed LPA form. This involves several important decisions:
- Choose your type — Property and Financial Affairs, Health and Welfare, or both (these are separate documents)
- Choose your attorneys — one or more people you trust to make decisions on your behalf
- Decide how attorneys act — jointly (must all agree), jointly and severally (can act independently), or jointly for some decisions and severally for others
- Choose a certificate provider — someone who confirms you understand the LPA and aren't being pressured (a professional like a solicitor, doctor, or a friend who's known you 2+ years)
- Notify anyone who should know — you can name "people to notify" who'll be told when the LPA is registered, as a safeguard
The Registration Process Step by Step
How to Register Your LPA
- 1
Complete the LPA forms
Fill in the LPA document (online via the OPG's "Make an LPA" service, or on paper forms LP1F/LP1H). Include all attorneys, replacement attorneys, preferences, and instructions.
- 2
Sign in the correct order
The donor signs first, then the certificate provider, then each attorney. The signing order is crucial — getting it wrong means starting again.
- 3
Notify "people to notify"
If you named anyone to be notified, send them the official notification form (LP3). They have 3 weeks to raise objections before you can register.
- 4
Wait 3 weeks after notification
You cannot submit the registration until 3 weeks after the "people to notify" have been notified. This is a safeguard against misuse.
- 5
Submit to the OPG
Send the completed, signed LPA to the OPG with the £82 fee (per LPA). Online applications are submitted digitally; paper forms go by post.
- 6
OPG checks the document
The OPG reviews the LPA for errors, checks signatures, and processes the registration. They may contact you if anything needs clarifying.
- 7
Receive the registered LPA
Once approved, the OPG stamps each page and returns the original to you (or your solicitor). You'll also receive a registration summary.
Online vs Paper Registration
Online (Use an LPA Service) vs Paper Registration
Online Registration
- Faster to complete — guided form reduces errors
- Submit digitally (physical signatures still needed)
- Can save progress and return later
- Automatic error checking catches common mistakes
- Slightly faster processing by the OPG
Paper Registration
- Print, complete, and post the paper forms
- More prone to errors (no automatic checking)
- Must be posted to the OPG — risk of loss in transit
- Better for people less comfortable with technology
- Same fee (£82 per LPA)
Costs and Fee Exemptions
The registration fee is £82 per LPA. Since most people make two LPAs (Property and Financial Affairs + Health and Welfare), the total registration cost is £164.
Fee reductions and exemptions:
- Earn less than £12,000 per year — you pay no registration fee (full exemption)
- Receive certain means-tested benefits — you pay no registration fee (full exemption)
The fee exemption only applies to the registration fee. If you use a solicitor to prepare the LPA, their professional fees are separate.
Need Help Registering Your LPA?
Aaron handles the entire LPA process — from drafting to registration — so everything is done correctly first time. No rejected forms, no delays.
Book Free LPA ConsultationLPA Registration Help in Bridlington
If you're in Bridlington, Driffield, Filey, Scarborough, or anywhere in East Yorkshire, Safe Harbour Legal can handle your LPA from start to finish. We prepare the documents, guide you through the signing process, and submit the registration to the OPG on your behalf.
Many of our clients come to us after trying the DIY route and hitting problems — rejected forms, confusing signing requirements, or uncertainty about how attorneys should act. Getting it right first time with a solicitor saves both time and stress.
“An LPA is one of the most important documents you'll ever sign. It deserves the same care and attention as your Will.”
Frequently Asked Questions
LPA registration currently takes around 12-16 weeks from submission to the OPG. Processing times can vary depending on the OPG's workload and whether any issues need to be resolved. There's also a mandatory 3-week waiting period after notifying "people to notify" before you can submit.
Need Help with Powers of Attorney?
If you're ready to take the next step, explore our related services:
Property & Financial Affairs LPA
Choose someone you trust to manage your finances if you ever can't. Aaron makes the process straightforward. Fixed fee, home visits available.
Health & Welfare LPA
Make sure someone you trust can speak for you about your care and medical treatment. Aaron makes the process straightforward. Fixed fee, home visits available.
Complete LPA Protection (Single)
Total peace of mind. Both your Property & Financial LPA and Health & Welfare LPA in one package. Save £150 vs purchasing each separately.
Complete LPA Protection (Couples)
The ultimate LPA package for couples. All four LPA documents — Health and Finance for both of you. Save £600 vs four individual LPAs.