Make, register or end a lasting power of attorney
Changes you need to report
You (if you still have mental capacity) or one of your attorneys must tell the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) if:
- you or an attorney change name or address
- an attorney dies
If you or an attorney change name or address
You must tell OPG if you or your attorney changes name and send a copy of the marriage certificate or deed poll that shows the new name. Do not send any original documents.
You must tell OPG if you or your attorney changes address, but you do not need to send any supporting documents.
Do not make changes to your lasting power of attorney (LPA) document itself, as it might become invalid.
If one of your attorneys dies
You must tell OPG and send them the original LPA and all certified copies.
If the attorney died outside of the United Kingdom, you must also send a copy of the death certificate.
What happens to the existing LPA
OPG will cancel the LPA if the donor dies, or if an attorney dies and either:
- the attorneys had to make all decisions together - this is called acting ‘jointly’
- there was only one attorney
A cancelled LPA will be destroyed. If you want OPG to send it back instead, include a note asking for its return along with a return address.
If an attorney dies and the attorneys were able to make any decisions on their own (called acting ‘jointly and severally’), OPG will update the LPA instead. You must include a return address when you send the LPA.
Contact OPG
Office of the Public Guardian
customerservices@publicguardian.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 456 0300
Textphone: 0115 934 2778
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9am to 5pm
Wednesday, 10am to 5pm
Find out about call charges
Office of the Public Guardian
PO Box 16185
Birmingham
B2 2WH
If you email or write to OPG you should include:
- your full name, address and date of birth
- whether you are the attorney or the donor
- the donor’s full name address and date of birth (if you are the attorney)
- the reference number on your LPA