One of the most common misconceptions about Lasting Powers of Attorney is that they can be set up quickly when needed. They cannot. The registration process takes months, not days, and it cannot be expedited simply because someone’s health is deteriorating. Understanding the timeline in advance is what allows families to act while there is still time.
The registration process, step by step
A Lasting Power of Attorney goes through several distinct stages before it is legally valid and ready to use.
- Preparing the LPA document. The donor completes the LPA forms, either using the OPG’s online service or a printed form. A certificate provider must sign the document to confirm the donor understands what they are signing and is not being pressured
- Signing by all parties. The document must be signed in a specific legal order: the donor, then the certificate provider, then the attorneys. Each section must be completed in the right sequence or the whole document may be rejected
- The four-week notification period. Before the LPA can be submitted to the OPG, there is a mandatory four-week waiting period during which any named people to notify can raise an objection
- Submission to the OPG for registration. Once the four-week period has passed, the application is submitted along with the registration fee (currently £82 per LPA)
- OPG processing. The OPG reviews the application, checks for errors, and registers the document. This is where most of the waiting happens
- Receipt of the registered LPA. The OPG returns the document stamped as registered. Only at this point can the LPA be used
Current OPG processing times
The OPG’s processing times have varied considerably in recent years. The official target is to register an LPA within twenty working days of receiving a correctly completed application, though this target has not always been met in practice.
As of 2025, waiting times for a straightforward application are typically between eight and twelve weeks from submission. During periods of high volume, this can extend further. The OPG publishes current processing time estimates on its website, which is worth checking before you submit.
Taking the whole process together, from starting the paperwork to having a registered document in hand, most families should allow at least three to four months, and ideally longer.
Why waiting is dangerous
A family puts off setting up an LPA for an elderly parent, intending to do it “soon.” The parent has a stroke eight months later. They still have some capacity at the time, but it is deteriorating rapidly. A solicitor rushes the LPA through and it is submitted to the OPG within two weeks. But the OPG takes a further ten weeks to register it, and by the time it arrives, the parent has lost capacity entirely. The LPA is registered and usable, but only just. In some cases, the window closes before the document arrives.
The most common reasons for delay
A significant proportion of LPA applications are returned by the OPG because of errors in the document. The most common problems are:
- Signatures in the wrong order. The document must be signed in a precise sequence: donor, certificate provider, then attorneys. Signing out of order invalidates the document
- Missing or incomplete sections, including gaps in addresses, dates, or the preferences and instructions section
- The certificate provider having a disqualifying relationship to the donor or an attorney, such as being a family member or business partner
- Attorneys signing as witnesses to each other’s signatures, which is not permitted
- Discrepancies between the name used on the form and the donor’s legal name
- Submitting the application before the four-week notification period has elapsed
Any of these errors will result in the application being returned, and the clock starting again. A solicitor who specialises in wills and LPAs can check the document before submission and significantly reduce the risk of this happening.
An LPA can only be set up while the donor has capacity. Once capacity is lost, the option is gone. The process takes months. The only way to guarantee an LPA is in place when it is needed is to start early, well before any health crisis occurs.
Can you speed up OPG registration?
In most cases, no. The OPG does not offer a premium or expedited service for standard LPA registrations. There is a process for urgent applications where there is an immediate need, such as where a significant financial decision must be made urgently, but the bar for urgency is high and the outcome is not guaranteed.
The best way to ensure a shorter overall wait is to submit a correctly completed application the first time. Every returned application adds weeks to the process.
What can be done while the LPA is being registered?
While an LPA is with the OPG for registration, the document has no legal force. The donor retains full decision-making authority (assuming they have capacity), and the named attorneys cannot yet act.
If the donor is willing, this period can be used productively: gathering financial information, identifying all accounts and assets, and making a note of who the attorneys will need to contact once registration is complete. The attorneys cannot act yet, but they can prepare.
Once the LPA is registered: what attorneys need to know
When the registered document arrives, read it carefully before taking any action. Check that all the details are correct and that you understand any conditions or restrictions written into it. Then begin the process of registering it with banks and other relevant institutions.
From the moment you begin acting under the LPA, you should be keeping records of every significant decision. This is a legal obligation, and it starts from day one. The first 30 days as an LPA attorney guide covers what to prioritise from the outset, and the LPA record keeping guide explains what the OPG expects you to maintain.
When the LPA arrives, Wardly is ready
Start your decision log from day one. Wardly helps LPA attorneys in England and Wales keep the records the OPG expects, without the paperwork.
Start your free logFrequently asked questions
How long does OPG registration take in 2025?
The OPG aims to register a correctly completed LPA within twenty working days, but in practice processing times have been longer, typically eight to twelve weeks for straightforward applications. Check the OPG website for current estimates before submitting.
Can an LPA be used before it is registered?
No. A Lasting Power of Attorney has no legal effect until it has been registered with the Office of the Public Guardian. An unregistered LPA cannot be used by the attorney, and will not be accepted by banks or other institutions.
How much does it cost to register an LPA?
The registration fee is currently £82 per LPA. If you are registering both a property and financial affairs LPA and a health and welfare LPA, the total fee is £164. People on certain means-tested benefits may qualify for a fee remission or reduction.
Can you register an LPA yourself, or do you need a solicitor?
You can register an LPA yourself using the OPG's online service or paper forms. Many families do this successfully. A solicitor is not required, but using one reduces the risk of errors that cause the application to be returned and the process to be delayed.
What happens if the donor loses capacity before the LPA is registered?
If the donor loses capacity entirely before the LPA is registered, the registration process may still be able to continue, as the LPA was created while they had capacity. However, if they lack capacity at the point of signing and the certificate provider did not properly assess this, the LPA may be invalid. This is one of the strongest arguments for acting early.
How long is a registered LPA valid for?
A registered LPA does not expire. It remains valid until the donor dies, the donor revokes it while they have capacity, or the Court of Protection revokes it. Attorneys named in the LPA retain their authority for as long as the document is in force.