LPAs and Activation Keys
A question I am asked frequently is “how do I use an LPA?” I have blogged about LPA Registered: What Next? previously and covered:
· who to share your LPA with;
· conversations that matter and
· how to update an LPA and record ongoing wishes.
I have also presented some important checking information here and expanded here . The focus of this blog is to share the Office of the Public Guardian on line checking service.
If you’re an attorney or the donor on a lasting power of attorney (LPA), you can use this service to:
allow people or organisations to view a summary of an LPA
keep track of which people or organisations have been given access to an LPA
view an LPA summary
see how people named on the LPA are using the service
ask for an activation key if you have not been given one
replace your activation key if yours is lost or expired
You can only use this service for an LPA that’s registered in England and Wales.
keep track of which people or organisations have been given access to an LPA
allow people or organisations to view a summary of an LPA
view an LPA summary
see how people named on the LPA are using the service
ask for an activation key if you have not been given one
replace your activation key if yours is lost or expired
You can only use this service for an LPA that’s registered in England and Wales.
You can find more information here.
To access the code to enable organisations to digitally see a LPA you will need to log in to GOV.UK Use a lasting power of attorney
The first question you will be asked is Do you have a Lasting Power of Attorney account?
Click either yes or no
If you don’t have an account you’ll need to follow instructions to set one up; if you do then log in to the account.
You need an activation key to add an LPA to your account. The donor and each attorney will have their own unique activation key.
Where can I find my activation key?
If your LPA was registered on or after 17 July 2020, the activation key is on the letter that told you the LPA had been registered.
If your LPA was registered before 17 July 2020 and you have asked the Office of the Public Guardian for an activation key, you'll find it on the letter or email sent to you.
If you have an activation key select yes and proceed, if you need on select no. You can request an activation key via GOV.UK Use a lasting power of attorne
You can then Check if you can ask for an activation key. You can only ask for an activation key if:
your LPA was registered on or after 1 September 2019[i]
you're a donor or an attorney on the LPA (not a replacement attorney)
you live in the UK
You will need to let the Office of the Public Guardian know if any of your details have changed (and if they have you won’t be able to get an activation key).
The Office of the Public Guardian will need to know if:
you’ve changed your name
your name or address is spelt incorrectly on the LPA
your date of birth is wrong on the LPA
You will then add your LPA 12-digit reference number
This will be followed by you date of birth and postcode.
One a match has been checked you can see if you can receive an activation key for your LPA.
The Office of the Public Guardian cannot send an activation key for an LPA registered before September 2019.
If the LPA was registered before this date, you'll need to show the paper LPA to people and organisations instead of using this service.
If the paper LPA has been lost or destroyed, you can ask OPG for an office copy by calling 0300 456 0300 - office copies cost £35.
To find out more about the on line checking service e read the Office of the Public Guardian blog Use a lasting power of attorney – your questions answered. Here you will also see an example of a valid LPA on line check.
Example of what you can see with an LPA on line check
Information in this blog is credited to the GOV.UK Use a lasting power of attorney page where you can create your account to use the service.
The view an LPA online has been updated. Changes introduced in 2023 mean all LPAs issued on or after 1 January 2016 will be able to be viewed online including any instructions and preferences written by the donor: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-view-an-lpa-service
Read Part 2, A step by step guide to accessing a Lasting Power of Attorney electronically
For more information about all aspects of activation keys, please see this resource.
If you found this article valuable, please consider buying me a coffee to help make more content like this: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/6nQVJqVgLY