Lasting power of attorney: acting as an attorney

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Using your lasting power of attorney

The lasting power of attorney (LPA) must be registered before you can start acting as an attorney.

Any company or organisation you deal with on behalf of the donor can ask you to prove you’re the attorney. You can:

  • let them view an online summary of the LPA
  • show them the original registered LPA
  • show them a certified copy of the LPA

They may also ask you to prove other details, such as:

  • your name, address and date of birth
  • the donor’s name or address
  • information the organisation uses, such as an account number

Check what proof they need, and how you should share this with them, before sending any documents.

Share an online summary of the LPA

If your LPA was registered on or after 1 January 2016, you can let companies and organisations view an online summary of the latest version of the LPA. 

You’ll need to create an online account to generate an access code for each LPA.

Companies and organisations can use the access code to view a summary of your LPA which includes:

  • if it’s still valid and registered
  • the donor’s name, address and date of birth
  • the attorneys’ names, addresses and dates of birth
  • how decisions are made by the attorneys
  • the donor’s instructions and preferences

Using a paper version of the LPA

To prove you’re an attorney on the LPA, you can show a company or organisation the registered paper version or a certified copy of the LPA.

View a printable version of the whole guide

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