How to Check the LPA Register UK
Updated 15 May 2026 · 7 min read · England & Wales
A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is only valid once it has been registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). Searching the OPG register lets banks, care providers, solicitors, and family members verify that an LPA exists and has not been revoked — without having to inspect a paper original. This guide explains how to use the register and what to do when no record is found.
Why the Register Matters
Anyone can print a document purporting to be an LPA. The only authoritative source is the OPG register, which records every LPA registered under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. An LPA that is not on the register has no legal force — even if it looks authentic and bears signatures.
Checking the register also confirms whether the LPA has been revoked (cancelled by the donor while they still had capacity) or suspended (by a court order). A third party relying on a revoked LPA without reasonable cause may face liability.
The OPG's Use an LPA Service
The OPG operates an online register at opg.service.gov.uk/use-an-lpa. Attorneys can generate a shareable access code (valid for 90 days) which allows anyone with that code to view a summary of the LPA. The summary shows:
- The donor's name and date of birth
- The type of LPA (property and financial affairs, or health and welfare)
- The attorneys' names and how they are authorised to act (jointly, jointly and severally, or a combination)
- Whether the LPA can be used while the donor still has capacity (property LPAs only)
- Any instructions or preferences included by the donor
- The registration date
The service does not show the donor's address, the attorneys' contact details, or the full text of the document.
Step-by-Step: Searching the Register
- Ask the attorney for the access code. The attorney logs in to opg.service.gov.uk/use-an-lpa, selects the relevant LPA, and generates a code. The code is a short alphanumeric string.
- Go to opg.service.gov.uk/use-an-lpa. Select "I was given an access code."
- Enter the donor's surname and date of birth. You also enter the access code. All three pieces of information must match.
- Review the LPA summary. You can download or print it as evidence for your records.
Access codes expire after 90 days. If the code has lapsed, ask the attorney to generate a new one. Codes can be generated as many times as needed.
Who Typically Needs to Check
| Who | Why | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Banks / building societies | Before accepting instructions from an attorney on the donor's account | Property & financial |
| Care homes / NHS trusts | Before acting on an attorney's health or care decisions | Health & welfare |
| Solicitors / conveyancers | Verifying authority to sell the donor's property | Property & financial |
| Family members | Checking whether an LPA was made before a parent lost capacity | Either |
| Investment platforms | Before allowing an attorney to manage a portfolio | Property & financial |
What the Register Does Not Tell You
The register confirms registration and revocation status only. It does not:
- Confirm the donor currently lacks mental capacity (that requires a clinical assessment)
- Show whether the attorney is acting within the scope of any conditions or restrictions (you must read those on the summary carefully)
- Reveal whether there are safeguarding concerns or OPG investigations into the attorney
- Confirm the donor is still alive (check the death register or death certificate separately)
LPAs Made Before the Online Register
The online use-an-lpa service launched in 2020. LPAs registered before then may not have a digital record accessible online. For older registered LPAs the options are:
- Request activation: The attorney calls OPG on 0300 456 0300 and asks OPG to add the LPA to the online service. OPG will post an activation key to the donor's address. The attorney then activates the digital record using that key.
- Inspect the paper original: The registered LPA bears an OPG perforated stamp on every page. Third parties can verify the physical document and retain a certified copy.
- Request confirmation from OPG directly: OPG will confirm by letter whether a named LPA is registered, though this takes longer than the online service.
Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs)
EPAs were the predecessor to LPAs, available before October 2007. They are still valid if they were made and signed before that date, but they must be registered with OPG at the point the donor is losing or has lost mental capacity. There is no online register for EPAs — to verify one, contact OPG (0300 456 0300) or inspect the paper original with its registration stamp.
EPAs only cover property and financial affairs; they have no health and welfare equivalent. If the donor has an EPA but no health and welfare LPA, any health decisions must be made in their best interests under s.5 MCA 2005 or by a Court of Protection deputy.
No LPA Found: Next Steps
If a search reveals no registered LPA and the person has lost capacity, options include:
- Court of Protection deputyship: Apply for a property and financial affairs deputy order and/or a personal welfare deputy order. Fees start at £400 (court application) plus annual supervision fees. See our guide to Court of Protection deputyship.
- Statutory will: If the person has no will and lacks capacity, the Court of Protection can authorise a statutory will on their behalf.
- Small amounts — benefits and DWP: For people receiving only state benefits, DWP's appointee scheme allows a trusted person to manage benefits without a court order.
Prevention is cheaper than cure. Registering an LPA while you have capacity costs £82 per document. A Court of Protection deputyship application typically costs £1,000–£3,000 in professional fees alone. Making an LPA now is one of the most cost-effective steps in estate planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone search the OPG register?
Yes. The OPG's online use-an-lpa service is open to anyone with the donor's details and the access code provided by the attorney. However, the attorney controls whether to share that code; a third party cannot retrieve the code themselves.
What if the LPA was made before 2020 and has no access code?
LPAs registered before the online service launched may not have a digital access code. In that case you must inspect the paper original, or the attorney can request an 'activation key' from OPG by calling 0300 456 0300 to generate a digital record.
Does a search confirm the LPA is still valid?
A successful search confirms the LPA is registered and not revoked as at the date of search. It does not confirm the donor lacks capacity — that is a clinical assessment. It also does not show whether any conditions or restrictions apply beyond those visible on the summary.
What happens if someone presents a paper LPA without a registration stamp?
An unregistered LPA has no legal effect — an attorney cannot act under it. The OPG registration stamp (on every page) is the key indicator. You can cross-check by searching the register online. If no registered record exists, the LPA cannot be used.
Can a bank or care home refuse to accept a valid LPA?
Organisations have a right to take reasonable steps to verify an LPA, including a register search, but they cannot refuse an LPA that is confirmed valid without good reason. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 s.6 and OPG guidance make clear that unreasonable refusal can be challenged.
What if there is no LPA and the person has lost capacity?
If there is no registered LPA and the person can no longer make decisions, a family member or professional must apply to the Court of Protection for a deputyship order. This is significantly more expensive (court fees typically £400+) and time-consuming than making an LPA in advance.
Make Your LPA While You Still Can
An LPA can only be made while you have mental capacity. Once capacity is lost, it is too late. Our DIY will kit includes guidance on LPA planning alongside your will — protect your family now.
Get the WillSafe Kit →Related Articles
- What is a lasting power of attorney?
- How much does an LPA cost in 2026?
- LPA and the Mental Capacity Act
- Using an LPA for bank accounts
- Power of attorney and dementia
- Enduring power of attorney — is yours still valid?
- Court of Protection deputyship
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. OPG registration procedures may change — always verify current requirements at gov.uk/opg.