How to Activate Power of Attorney in the UK

17th September 2025

Setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your future and give peace of mind to your loved ones. But once you’ve filled in the forms and chosen your attorneys, what happens next? Many people don’t realise that an LPA isn’t legally valid until it’s activated. In this article, we’ll walk you through exactly how to activate a Power of Attorney in the UK, so you know what to expect and how to avoid delays.

Step 1: How to Prepare for Activating a UK Power of Attorney

Before activation can happen, the Lasting Power of Attorney forms need to be fully completed. This includes details of the donor (the person making the LPA), the attorney(s), the certificate provider, and witnesses. Any mistakes or missing information can cause problems later when you try to register the LPA. That’s why many people choose guided services, like Power of Attorney Online, to reduce the risk of rejection.

Step 2: Registering a UK Power of Attorney with the OPG

To activate your Power of Attorney, it must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). This applies whether you’re setting up a Health & Welfare LPA or a Property & Financial Affairs LPA. You’ll need to send the completed forms to the OPG, either online or by post, along with the registration fee.

The current fee is £82 per LPA, although fee reductions or exemptions may apply depending on your financial circumstances.

Step 3: Waiting for Your UK Power of Attorney to Be Activated

Once submitted, the OPG will review your application. If everything is in order, registration usually takes around 8–20 weeks. This timeframe can vary depending on the volume of applications being processed and whether any errors or objections are raised.

During this waiting period, the OPG contacts the attorneys and any “people to be notified” (if you listed them) to give them the chance to raise concerns. If no objections are made, the LPA moves toward activation.

Step 4: Receiving Your Activated UK Power of Attorney

When your LPA is officially registered, the OPG will return the document with a stamp or digital mark confirming that it’s legally valid. From this point, the Power of Attorney is considered “activated” and can be used when needed.

• Property & Financial Affairs LPA can often be used straight away with the donor’s consent, even if they still have capacity.
• Health & Welfare LPA can only be used once the donor has lost mental capacity.

Step 5: Using and Storing Your UK Power of Attorney After Activation

Once activated, it’s important to keep the registered LPA in a safe place but also accessible for attorneys to use when required. Copies may need to be provided to banks, healthcare providers, or other organisations when attorneys are acting on your behalf.

Why Activating UK Power of Attorney Matters

Without registration, an LPA is just a piece of paper. It carries no legal authority. By activating your Power of Attorney, you ensure your wishes can be respected, and your chosen attorneys are empowered to act when you need them most.

If you’d like step-by-step guidance, Power of Attorney Online makes the process simpler, helping you avoid costly mistakes and delays.