Who Can Witness an LPA?

28th August 2025

Updated: Thursday 19th February 2026

Who Can Witness an LPA? is one of the most common and important questions people ask when creating a Lasting Power of Attorney. Getting the wording right is only part of the process. The signing and witnessing stage is just as critical. If it is done incorrectly, the Office of the Public Guardian can reject the application, causing delays at the exact moment clarity is needed most.

Understanding who can witness each signature helps ensure your LPA is valid, compliant and ready to register first time.

Why does witnessing a UK Power of Attorney matter?

Witnessing confirms that each person signed the document willingly and in the correct order. The witness must be physically present when the signature is made and then add their own signature and details. If this step is missed or done incorrectly, the LPA has no legal standing, even if everything else is correct.

The Office of the Public Guardian reviews thousands of applications each year, and witnessing errors remain one of the most common reasons for rejection.

Who is allowed to witness the donor’s signature?

The donor is the person making the LPA. Their signature must be witnessed by someone who meets specific criteria.

• The witness must be aged 18 or over.
• They must not be named as an attorney or replacement attorney in the LPA.
• They should be independent and ideally not a close family member or someone who may benefit from the donor’s decisions.

While the law does not completely forbid relatives from acting as witnesses, independence reduces the risk of questions or objections during registration. The key restriction applies here. An attorney or replacement attorney named in the LPA cannot witness the donor’s signature.

Who can witness an attorney signing the LPA?

Attorneys must also have their signatures witnessed, but the rules are different from those that apply to the donor.

• The witness must be over 18.
• They cannot be the donor.
• Importantly, an attorney can witness another attorney’s signature, provided they meet the standard witness requirements and are not witnessing the donor. The restriction only applies to witnessing the donor’s signature, not to attorneys witnessing each other.

Each attorney needs a witness present when they sign. One person can witness multiple attorneys, provided they are eligible and physically present for each signature.

Can the certificate provider act as a witness?

No. The certificate provider has a separate legal role. They confirm that the donor understands the LPA and is not under pressure. Because of this independent safeguarding function, they should not witness signatures on the document. Doing so is likely to result in rejection by the Office of the Public Guardian.

What rules apply to all LPA witnesses?

Every witness must be physically present when the signature is made. Remote or virtual witnessing is not permitted. Witnesses must have mental capacity and understand what they are witnessing. Signatures must be made in ink. Electronic or digital signatures are not accepted for paper LPAs.

What mistakes cause LPAs to be rejected?

• The donor signing after an attorney, which is not allowed.
• Using an attorney to witness the donor’s signature.
• Allowing the certificate provider to witness a signature.
• Failing to have a witness physically present.

These errors can mean starting the process again, even after weeks of waiting.

How can you avoid problems with witnessing?

Clear guidance makes a significant difference. Power of Attorney Online walks you through who signs, who can witness and the exact order required. Built in checks help reduce the risk of simple but costly mistakes.

Witnessing does not need to be stressful, but it does need to be correct. Taking the time to get it right protects your application and your future decisions.

Start your LPA with confidence using Power of Attorney Online and avoid delays caused by avoidable errors.