How to Check if Someone Has Power of Attorney UK
How to Check if Someone Has Power of Attorney UK
Whether you are a family member, a carer, a solicitor, or a concerned friend, there are times when you need to find out whether someone has a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place. Perhaps a parent has become unwell, a neighbour needs help, or you are dealing with an elderly relative's finances.
The good news: there is an official register you can search. This guide explains exactly how to do it.
---
The OPG Register: Where LPAs Are Recorded
Every registered Lasting Power of Attorney in England and Wales is held on a register maintained by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). This is the official government body that oversees LPAs and deputyships.
Once an LPA has been registered, it appears on this register. Unregistered LPAs — those that have been created but not yet submitted to the OPG — will not appear.
---
How to Search the OPG Register
Online Search: Use the Government Service
The quickest way to check is through the official government service:
Use the OPG's "Use a lasting power of attorney" service at GOV.UK.
However, this service is primarily designed for organisations (such as banks) that need to verify an LPA. As an individual, you may need to contact the OPG directly.
Contact the OPG by Phone
You can call the Office of the Public Guardian to ask whether an LPA is registered:
- Phone: 0300 456 0300
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
- Textphone: 0115 934 2778
- The full name of the person (the donor)
- Their date of birth
- Their address (or last known address)
Write to the OPG
You can also make a written request:
Office of the Public Guardian PO Box 16185 Birmingham B2 2WH
Include the donor's full name, date of birth, and address in your letter.
---
Who Can Search the Register?
The OPG register is not fully open to the public. Access depends on who you are and why you are searching:
People Who Can Search
- The donor (the person who created the LPA)
- Named attorneys on the LPA
- Replacement attorneys named in the LPA
- People named to be notified when the LPA was registered
- Organisations that need to verify an LPA (banks, care homes, NHS trusts)
- Other people with a legitimate interest — such as close family members concerned about a relative's welfare
What Information Is Available
If an LPA exists, the OPG can typically confirm:
- That a registered LPA exists
- The type of LPA (Property & Financial Affairs, Health & Welfare, or both)
- The names of the attorneys
- When the LPA was registered
---
Create Your LPA Now — Just £74
Do not have an LPA yet? Create yours today with myLPA — the UK's cheapest LPA service.
Create Your LPA Now — Just £74 | Start here →
---
What If No LPA Is Registered?
This is the situation many families dread. If you search the register and discover that your loved one does not have a registered LPA, the implications depend on their current mental capacity.
If They Still Have Mental Capacity
Act immediately. If the person can still understand, retain, and weigh information to make decisions, they can create an LPA right now. This is the best-case scenario — and you should not wait.
With myLPA, the process takes about 15 minutes to start and costs just £74 per LPA — the cheapest service in the UK. Add the £82 OPG registration fee, and the total is just £156 per LPA.
Encourage your loved one to create their LPA today. Every day of delay is a risk.
If They Have Already Lost Mental Capacity
If the person can no longer make decisions for themselves, it is too late for an LPA. The only option is to apply to the Court of Protection for a deputyship order. This process:
- Costs £1,000 – £15,000+ (solicitor fees, court fees, assessments)
- Takes 4 – 12 months (and often longer)
- Requires annual reporting and ongoing supervision fees
- Means a judge decides who manages their affairs — not them
---
How to Search for an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA)
If the person created their power of attorney before October 2007, they may have an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) rather than an LPA.
EPAs are also held on the OPG register once registered. You can search for them in the same way — by contacting the OPG by phone or in writing.
However, unregistered EPAs are trickier. An EPA only needed to be registered when the donor was losing or had lost capacity. If it was never registered, the OPG will have no record of it. You may need to search the donor's personal papers or contact their solicitor.
---
What to Do If You Find an LPA
If your search confirms that a registered LPA exists:
For Family Members
- Contact the named attorneys to discuss the situation
- If you have concerns about how attorneys are acting, you can report this to the OPG
- The LPA document itself will detail any restrictions or preferences
For Organisations (Banks, Care Homes, etc.)
- Ask the attorneys to provide the registered LPA document
- Verify the LPA using the OPG's online service
- Follow your organisation's procedures for accepting LPAs
If the LPA Is Not Yet Registered
An unregistered LPA cannot be used. The donor (or their attorneys) should register it with the OPG as soon as possible. Registration takes 8-12 weeks and costs £82.---
Common Problems When Searching
"I cannot find any record"
This could mean:- No LPA was ever created
- An LPA was created but never registered
- The donor used a different name or address
- The LPA was created very recently and registration is still pending
"The LPA is registered but the attorneys will not help"
If attorneys are not fulfilling their duties, you can raise a concern with the OPG. They have the power to investigate."Multiple LPAs exist"
A person can have more than one LPA — typically one for Property & Financial Affairs and one for Health & Welfare. They may also have replaced an older LPA with a newer one.---
Create Your LPA Now — Just £74
If your search has revealed that you or a loved one does not have an LPA, do not delay. With myLPA, you can start the process right now.
Create Your LPA Now — Just £74 | Start here →
---
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone search the OPG register for an LPA?
Not anyone. You need to have a legitimate reason to search, such as being a family member, an organisation verifying an LPA, or someone with a genuine welfare concern. The OPG assesses requests on a case-by-case basis.Is there a fee to search the LPA register?
No. Searching the OPG register is free. You can call the OPG on 0300 456 0300 at no cost beyond your normal phone charges.How long does it take to get a result from the OPG?
Phone enquiries are usually answered during the call. Written requests may take 1-2 weeks for a response.Can I search the register online myself?
The OPG's online service is primarily for organisations (banks, care homes) that need to verify a specific LPA. Individuals generally need to contact the OPG by phone or post to search.What if someone has an EPA instead of an LPA?
Enduring Powers of Attorney (created before October 2007) are also on the OPG register once registered. Search for them the same way. However, unregistered EPAs will not appear on the register.What should I do if no LPA exists and the person still has capacity?
Create an LPA immediately. With myLPA, you can start the process for just £74 per LPA — the cheapest service in the UK. Do not wait until capacity is lost, or the only option will be an expensive deputyship through the Court of Protection.---
Do Not Leave It to Chance
Checking the register is a smart first step. But if no LPA exists, the next step is even more important: create one now.
Ready to Create Your LPA?
Don't wait until it's too late. Get both types of Lasting Power of Attorney from just £140 with expert guidance included.
Explore more LPA Fundamentals guides →Related Articles
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney? Complete UK Guide 2026
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity. This comprehensive guide explains everything UK residents need to know about LPAs in 2026.
LPA vs Enduring Power of Attorney: What's the Difference?
EPAs were replaced by LPAs in 2007. Learn the key differences between Enduring and Lasting Powers of Attorney, and what happens to existing EPAs.
Power of Attorney vs Lasting Power of Attorney Explained
Confused by the different types of Power of Attorney? This guide explains the difference between Ordinary and Lasting Powers of Attorney in the UK.
Do I Need a Lasting Power of Attorney? 10 Signs You Do
Wondering if you need an LPA? Here are 10 clear signs that you should create a Lasting Power of Attorney now rather than waiting.
What Happens If You Don't Have an LPA? The Consequences
The consequences of not having an LPA can be devastating for families. Learn what really happens when someone loses capacity without Power of Attorney.