What is an LPA Certificate Provider?

By Matt Cresswell, Founder at Power of Attorney Online and author of
Everything you ever wanted to know about LPAs (but were afraid to ask)

25th February 2026

So What is an LPA Certificate Provider? This is a question we are asked almost every day. The certificate provider is one of the most important roles in a lasting power of attorney, yet many people are unsure what they actually do or who can act.

If you are setting up a lasting power of attorney in the UK, understanding the certificate provider rules is essential.

What is a certificate provider in a lasting power of attorney?

A certificate provider is the person who confirms that the donor understands the LPA and is not being pressured into signing it.

The donor is the person making the LPA.

Before the document can be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian, the certificate provider must complete and sign their section.

They are there as a safeguard.

Their role is to protect the donor from fraud, coercion or undue influence.

Without a valid certificate provider, the LPA will be rejected.

What does the certificate provider confirm?

When signing the form, the certificate provider confirms that:

• The donor understands what a lasting power of attorney is
• The donor understands the powers they are giving to their attorneys
• No one is forcing or pressuring the donor
• There is no other reason why the LPA should not be created

This is not a casual signature.

The certificate provider should have a genuine conversation with the donor before signing.

Who can be a certificate provider?

There are two types of certificate provider.

Knowledge based certificate provider

This is someone who has known the donor personally for at least two years.

They must be confident the donor understands the LPA and is acting freely.

This could be a long standing friend, neighbour or colleague.

They cannot be:

• An attorney or replacement attorney named in the LPA
• A family member of the donor or attorney
• A business partner or employee of the donor
• The owner or employee of a care home where the donor lives

Independence is key.

Skills based certificate provider

If there is no suitable person who has known the donor for two years, a professional can act instead.

This could be a GP, solicitor or other professional with relevant expertise.

They must have the skills to assess mental capacity.

Can a family member act as certificate provider?

In most cases, no.

Close family members are not allowed to act as certificate provider. The law is designed to prevent conflicts of interest.

Even if a relative believes they are acting in good faith, the role requires clear independence.

Choosing the wrong person is one of the most common reasons an LPA is rejected.

Can the certificate provider witness signatures?

No.

The certificate provider has a separate legal role and should not witness signatures on the LPA.

Keeping roles separate helps avoid confusion and reduces the risk of rejection.

Why getting this right matters

If the certificate provider section is completed incorrectly, the Office of the Public Guardian can refuse to register the LPA.

That means delays, extra paperwork and potential additional fees.

For many families, an LPA is needed during stressful or urgent situations. Avoidable errors only make things harder.

Final thoughts

The certificate provider in a lasting power of attorney is there to protect the donor.

Choose someone independent, suitable and confident in their role.

If you are unsure, take advice before signing.

At Power of Attorney Online, we guide you clearly through each stage of the LPA process, including choosing the right certificate provider. Getting it right first time gives you confidence that your lasting power of attorney will stand up when it matters most.

Written by Matt Cresswell

Matt Cresswell is the Founder of Power of Attorney Online, a service helping people across England and Wales create Lasting Powers of Attorney through guided online support and expert document reviews. He founded the business following his father's diagnosis with dementia, after experiencing first-hand how confusing the LPA process can be for families. Matt's expertise focuses on Lasting Powers of Attorney, planning ahead and helping families prepare for the future before a crisis occurs.