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Is my LPA ready to send? Free checker

Written by Settle Editorial Team · Last checked 29 October 2026

Built from the Office of the Public Guardian's GOV.UK guidance and forms, checked 29 October 2026. England and Wales. General information, not legal advice.

Quick answer

Your LPA is ready to post when everyone has signed the same paper original in the right order (donor, then certificate provider, then attorneys, then the applicant on section 15), every signature that needs a witness has one, any corrections are initialled, the LP3 notices have gone out,⁴ and the £92 fee or form LPA120 is enclosed.¹³ Tick through the checks below to find anything still to fix.

LPA ready-to-send checker

Answer the first three questions, then tick each check that is done. Anything unticked shows up below with what to do about it.

Which LPA is this? Property and financial affairs Health and welfare

How many attorneys? One Two or more

Any "people to notify" in section 6? No Yes

Checks The donor signed before anyone else: section 9, any continuation sheets The donor signed section 5 (life-sustaining treatment), witnessed, before section 9 The donor's signature was witnessed by someone 18 or over who is not an attorney or replacement The certificate provider signed section 10 after the donor and before any attorney The certificate provider is 18+, has known the donor well for 2+ years or has relevant professional skills, and is not on OPG's excluded list Every attorney and replacement signed section 11 after the certificate provider, each witnessed by an adult who isn't the donor Section 3 has exactly one box marked for how the attorneys decide Everyone signed the same paper original: no copies, no digital signatures Every page is included, including section 4 even if you named no replacements, and any signed continuation sheets No correction fluid or stickers; each correction is crossed out and initialled by whoever made it An LP3 has been sent or handed to each person to notify (one per person, per LPA) Section 12 says who is applying and section 15 is signed and dated after every section 11 The fee is ready: card details or phone number in section 14, or a cheque to 'Office of the Public Guardian' with the donor's name on the back If asking for fee help: form LPA120 and the evidence for the right financial year are in the envelope

A checklist can reduce mistakes but can't guarantee registration: OPG checks every LPA itself.

The signing order OPG requires

Order	Who	What they sign	Witness
1	Donor	Section 5 (health and welfare only), continuation sheets, section 9	Adult, not an attorney or replacement²
2	Certificate provider	Section 10	None needed
3	Attorneys and replacements	Section 11, as soon as possible after the certificate provider	Adult, not the donor; attorneys can witness each other¹
4	Whoever applies (donor or attorneys)	Section 15, dated after every section 11	None needed

OPG says the LPA "must be signed in this order" or it cannot register it.¹ Everyone signs the same original document: copies and digital signatures aren't accepted.²

Where to send it and what goes in the envelope

The signed original LPA, every page, and any continuation sheets.¹
Payment details, or a cheque for £92 per LPA payable to "Office of the Public Guardian" (£184 for both types).³
Form LPA120 and its evidence, if you are asking for a reduced fee or exemption.⁵ See the LPA fee checker.
Post it to Office of the Public Guardian, PO Box 16185, Birmingham B2 2WH.³

Next: use the registration tracker to see when to expect it back, and the guide to common LPA mistakes for more detail on each check.

Lasting Power of Attorney Family Pack · £4.99

Get your LPA organised before you sign.

A step-by-step guide and workbook for families, from first decision to registered LPA.

Get every signature in the right order first time
Decide who should be your attorneys, with simple worksheets
Check if you pay £92, half, or nothing
Know what to do after it's registered

See what’s in the LPA pack →

One-off · 30 pages · instant download · The official forms are free on GOV.UK. This pack helps you get them right.

Frequently asked questions

What is the right signing order for an LPA?

The donor signs first (section 9, plus section 5 for a health and welfare LPA and any continuation sheets), then the certificate provider (section 10), then every attorney and replacement attorney (section 11). Whoever applies signs section 15 last, dated after every section 11. OPG cannot register an LPA signed in the wrong order.

Can an attorney witness the donor's signature?

No. Witnesses must be 18 or over. Attorneys can witness each other, but they cannot witness the donor sign and cannot be the certificate provider. The donor cannot witness an attorney's signature.

Can I use correction fluid on an LPA?

No. OPG says not to use correction fluid or stickers: it won't be able to register the LPA and you would have to pay again. Cross out the mistake, write the correction beside it, and the person who made the mistake initials it.

Sources & references

Every fee, form and time limit in this tool comes from the Office of the Public Guardian's GOV.UK pages and forms below, checked on the date shown. Always confirm on GOV.UK before you act.

LP12: Make and register your lasting power of attorney, a guide (web version, updated 20 April 2026) — GOV.UKLast checked 29 October 2026
Make a lasting power of attorney — GOV.UKLast checked 29 October 2026
Register a lasting power of attorney — GOV.UKLast checked 29 October 2026
LP3: Form to notify people — GOV.UKLast checked 29 October 2026
LPA120: Get help with paying power of attorney fees (04.26) — GOV.UKLast checked 29 October 2026

Settle publishes general information for England and Wales. It is not a law firm, does not provide legal advice, and does not write wills or prepare, check or register LPAs. For advice about your situation, speak to a solicitor or a free advice service.