Quick answer
Yes — you can create a UK Lasting Power of Attorney online through the Office of the Public Guardian’s free Make a Lasting Power of Attorney service at gov.uk/power-of-attorney/make-lasting-power. The digital journey since November 2024 covers drafting, identity verification, and OPG submission. However, wet-ink signatures are still required from the donor, the certificate provider, and every attorney — these can’t be done electronically. So ‘online’ covers the form-completion and submission but you still print, sign in the right order, and post (or scan and upload). Registration fee remains £92 per LPA (£184 for both Property & Financial Affairs and Health & Welfare). The online journey is genuinely faster and reduces error rate vs paper. This guide explains the realistic 2026 ‘online’ LPA process in the UK, what’s digital vs physical, and the practical do’s and don’ts.
Last reviewed: 24 May 2026 by the MP Estate Planning editorial team. Jurisdiction: England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different probate and intestacy rules; the IHT thresholds are UK-wide.
Three rule changes you may need to consider (2026/27)
1. Pensions become subject to IHT from 6 April 2027. Most unused defined-contribution pension pots currently sit outside the estate for IHT — that ends on 6 April 2027 (gov.uk policy paper). HMRC estimates around 10,500 estates will face IHT for the first time as a result.
2. Business and agricultural property reliefs capped at £2.5m per person from 6 April 2026. Above the cap, only 50% relief applies — effective IHT of 20%. AIM shares dropped to 50% relief and do not use the £2.5m allowance (Saffery — APR/BPR reforms).
3. The NRB, RNRB and £2m taper threshold are frozen until 5 April 2031 following the 2024 and 2025 Budgets (gov.uk — NRB and RNRB freeze). With inflation, more estates will be pulled into IHT each year — a process commonly called “fiscal drag.”
Can a Power of Attorney Be Done Online in the UK?
If you are asking yourself if a power of attorney be done online in the UK? The answer is: Yes, and it’s now easier than ever thanks to the GOV.UK platform and the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). While full digital processing is still evolving, much of the paperwork can be completed online before being printed, signed, and submitted. This guide explains how to create a Power of Attorney online in the UK—step-by-step—and avoid common mistakes that could delay your application.
Looking for help with your Power Of Attorney? Book a free consultation with our team of Power of Attorney specialists today.
What Is a Power of Attorney and Why It Matters
A Power of Attorney is a legal document that authorises someone else (the attorney) to make decisions on your behalf. The person assigning this authority is called the donor. Whether you’re planning for later life or short-term needs, setting up a POA ensures your finances and health preferences are handled the way you intend—even if you lose capacity.
Types of POA You Can Set Up Online in the UK
- Ordinary Power of Attorney – For short-term or temporary arrangements while you have capacity
- Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) – Continues even after loss of mental capacity
- Property and Financial Affairs LPA – Manages finances, property, and banking
- Health and Welfare LPA – For decisions around medical care and living arrangements
- Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) – Older form, still valid if created before October 2007
Need help choosing the right one? Explore our detailed guide to Lasting Power of Attorneys.
Where Can a Power of Attorney Be Done Online in the UK?
A power of attorney can be done online through the official GOV.UK service. The digital system lets you complete the LPA application online. However, UK law still requires all documents to be physically signed and submitted by post. The process is faster and simpler but not yet fully digital.
Visit the official GOV.UK portal for more information: Power of Attorney: GOV.UK.
Steps to Complete a Power of Attorney Online
- Create a GOV.UK account
- Select your LPA type
- Enter details for the donor and attorneys
- Add preferences and instructions
- Choose a certificate provider
- Print and physically sign the form
- Witness signatures in the correct order
- Post the completed documents to the OPG
The registration takes 8 to 10 weeks. You’ll receive confirmation when it’s processed.
Key Benefits of the Online POA System
- Clarity – Step-by-step guidance and auto-validation
- Speed – Fill in and save forms online to minimise delays
- Cost-effective – Reduced risk of costly mistakes
- Convenience – Complete at your own pace, from home
The online service helps ensure your LPA is accurate before printing, reducing the risk of rejection.
Security and Validity of Online Power of Attorney
Although the application is completed online, wet-ink signatures are legally required. UK law doesn’t yet allow full e-signatures for POA registration. Anyone offering full digital LPAs should be approached with caution—your documents may be deemed invalid.
Stay Safe with the Online POA Process
- Use only GOV.UK or trusted legal service providers
- Follow the signing order: donor, certificate provider, then attorneys
- Never skip witness details—signatures must be witnessed in-person
Learn more about fraud prevention from the OPG: Office of the Public Guardian.
Tips for a Smooth Online Power of Attorney Experience
- Double-check spelling and date formats
- Brief your attorneys and witnesses in advance
- Use tracked or signed-for postage to send documents
- Keep scanned copies for your records
Need assistance? Book a consultation for step-by-step help with your LPA submission.
Can You Really Do Power of Attorney Online in the UK?
Yes. While not 100% digital yet, the GOV.UK tool makes it easier than ever to complete your application online. With just a few printed signatures and correct submission, your LPA can be legally registered in weeks.
Still unsure? Speak with our team or check our transparent pricing for expert help with online POAs.
Conclusion: Setting Up Your Online POA the Right Way
Can a power of attorney be done online in the UK? Absolutely—just make sure you follow the current legal requirements. With the GOV.UK tool and the right guidance, setting up an LPA has never been more accessible.
Take action today to protect your future. Book a free consultation with MP Estate Planning and we’ll help you get your POA in place—securely and correctly.
How the OPG Online LPA Portal Works in Practice
The GOV.UK lasting power of attorney service was significantly updated in November 2023 when the Office of the Public Guardian launched its new digital tool, replacing much of the old paper-only process. Understanding what the portal actually involves — step by step — can help you decide whether the online route is appropriate for your circumstances before you commit time or money.
What the Online LPA Tool Involves Step by Step
When you access the GOV.UK ‘Make a lasting power of attorney’ service, you are guided through a structured series of screens. You will typically be asked to create a GOV.UK One Login account if you do not already have one, then choose whether you are creating a Property and Financial Affairs LPA or a Health and Welfare LPA. The tool then prompts you to enter the donor’s details, add attorneys and any replacement attorneys, set any instructions or preferences, and identify your certificate provider — the independent person who confirms the donor understands what they are signing and is not being pressured.
Once the digital form is complete, you will generally need to print and sign physical documents, as wet signatures from the donor, attorneys, and certificate provider are still required under current rules. These signed documents are then submitted to the OPG for registration. In our experience, this hybrid nature of the process — partly digital, partly paper — is something many people do not anticipate when they begin online.
Cost Breakdown of the Online LPA Process
The current OPG registration fee is £82 per LPA. If you are creating both a Property and Financial Affairs LPA and a Health and Welfare LPA, you will typically pay £164 in total for registration alone. This fee is payable to the OPG and is separate from any professional fees if you choose to use a solicitor or estate planning consultancy to help prepare the documents.
Fee remission may be available if the donor receives certain means-tested benefits or has an annual income below £12,000. You can check eligibility and apply using the OPG’s fee remission guidance on GOV.UK. Where third-party services or online platforms charge an additional preparation fee, it is worth confirming what is included, as these costs vary considerably and are not regulated in the same way solicitor fees are.
When the Online Route May Not Be Sufficient
The OPG’s digital tool is designed for straightforward situations. In our experience, donors in blended families, business owners who need carefully worded restrictions on their attorneys’ powers, or individuals showing early signs of cognitive decline may find that a standard online LPA is legally valid in form but practically unfit for their circumstances. A document that passes registration but contains ambiguous instructions — or no instructions at all — can create significant difficulties for attorneys and families later. For anything other than a straightforward situation, it is generally worth taking advice from a regulated professional before completing the forms.
Common Questions About Doing Power of Attorney Online in the UK
Can you do power of attorney online in the UK without a solicitor?
Yes, in most cases you can. The GOV.UK LPA service allows donors to complete and submit an LPA without instructing a solicitor. However, using the online tool without professional input does carry risk, particularly if your situation involves complex family arrangements, business assets, or specific wishes about healthcare decisions. There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor, but our team would generally encourage anyone unsure about the instructions and preferences sections to take at least some guidance before signing.
Is an online power of attorney legally valid in the UK?
An LPA completed using the OPG’s online tool is legally valid in England and Wales, provided it is correctly signed by all required parties and successfully registered by the OPG. The online process does not reduce the legal standing of the document. What matters for validity is that the Mental Capacity Act 2005 formalities are followed — including the certificate provider declaration and correct execution order — regardless of whether the form was prepared digitally or on paper.
How much does it cost to do a power of attorney online in the UK?
The OPG registration fee is currently £82 per LPA. Most people create two LPAs — one for property and finances, one for health and welfare — making the registration cost £164 in total. If you prepare the documents yourself using the free GOV.UK tool, there are no additional mandatory fees, though postage and printing costs will apply. Fee remission may reduce or waive the registration fee for donors on low incomes. If you use a solicitor or estate planning consultancy to assist with preparation, additional professional fees will apply on top of the OPG charge.
How long does an online power of attorney take to be registered?
This is one of the most important practical considerations. Current OPG processing times are approximately 20 weeks or more from receipt of the signed documents. This applies whether the LPA was prepared online or on paper. An LPA cannot be used until it has been registered, which means anyone who delays making one until a health crisis arises may find it is too late. In our experience, starting the process well in advance — ideally while the donor has clear mental capacity and no immediate need — is one of the most important steps you can take in protecting yourself and your family.
Can you make a power of attorney online if the donor has already lost mental capacity?
No. An LPA can only be made by a donor who has mental capacity at the time of signing. If capacity has already been lost, it is no longer possible to create an LPA. In those circumstances, a deputyship order through the Court of Protection may be the only available route, which is typically significantly more expensive and time-consuming than registering an LPA in advance. This is one reason why acting early — before any question of capacity arises — is so important.