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How to access the Office of the Public Guardian’s ‘View a Lasting Power of Attorney’ online service

by Josephine Russen on

The Office of the Public Guardian’s (OPG’s) new ‘View a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)’ service is now live.  If you’re an attorney or the donor on an LPA, you can use this service to:

  • View an LPA summary – this includes information such as who the attorneys are, their contact details, and any restrictions and/ or guidance in the LPA;
  • Allow people or organisations to view an LPA summary; and
  • Keep track of which people or organisations have been given access to an LPA.

In many instances you will also be able to download a copy of the LPA.

This brief guide summarises the government’s guidance on how to access this service.

  1. Find or apply for an activation key

Activation keys are 12 characters long and start with a C, for example: C-AB12 CD34 EF56.

  • For LPAs registered in the last 12 months – your activation key is on the letter the OPG sent you that told you the LPA had been registered.
  • For LPAs registered more than 12 months ago – you will have to request an activation key from the OPG.
      • Apply online here: Request an activation key – Use a lasting power of attorney – GOV.UK (use-lasting-power-of-attorney.service.gov.uk)
      • You can only ask for an activation key if:
        • You’re a donor or an attorney on the LPA (not a replacement attorney);
        • The LPA was made for use in England and Wales; and
        • You have the LPA reference number (the reference number is on the first page of the LPA or any related letters from the OPG).  It is 12 numbers long, for example: 7000-0000-0000.
      •  To ask for a key, you’ll need to provide:
        • Your name and date of birth;
        • Your current address – all activation keys are sent by post; and
        • The LPA reference number.

  1. Register for an LPA access code

Access codes are 13 characters long and start with a V.  For example, V-AB12-CD34-EF56.

  • Apply online here: gov.uk/use-lpa.
  • You’ll need to create an account the first time you use this service. To add an LPA to your account or to view an LPA, you’ll need both the LPA reference number and your activation key.

  1. View the LPA online

You can provide the access code to people or organisations who need to:

  • View a summary of an LPA;
  • Check whether an LPA is valid; and
  • Check who the attorneys are on an LPA.

This service can be accessed here: View a lasting power of attorney – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Restrictions

This service cannot be used for enduring powers of attorney (EPAs), LPAs with reference numbers fewer than 12 digits or LPAs registered before January 2016.  You’ll need to show the paper LPA or EPA to people or organisations instead.

This article is for general purpose and guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Specific legal advice should be taken before acting on any of the topics covered. No part of this article may be used, reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form, or by any means without the prior permission of Brecher LLP.