Searching the Office of the Public Guardian Registers

Many valuable transactions are undertaken under a Lasting Power of Attorney, or Enduring Power of Attorney, or Deputyship Order. However, powers of attorney can be withdrawn in a moment and Deputyships can be revoked. How do you know that the piece of paper on the back of which that you are transferring a fortune is valid?

There are three registers you can search.  These are:

• The register of Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA);
• The register of Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPA); and
• The register of Court of Protection orders appointing Deputies.

Anyone search the register free of charge but in order to do so you must complete the OPG100 Form which can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/search-public-guardian-registers.

You can submit the form in a number of ways.

Email: customerservices@publicguardian.gsi.gov.uk

Fax: 08707295780

Post: Office of the Public Guardian, PO Box 16185, Birmingham, B2 2WH

The search will provide the following information:

• The name of any Deputies or Attorneys;
• Whether the LPA, EPA or Deputyship order related to ‘property and affairs’ or ‘personal welfare’;
• The date the LPA, EPA or Deputyship order was made;
• The date the LPA, EPA or Deputyship was registered;
• The date the LPA or EPA was revoked (if applicable);
• The date the Deputyship expires or was cancelled (if applicable);
• Whether Deputies/Attorneys are appointed jointly; and
• Whether there are conditions or restrictions on the LPA, EPA or Deputyship order.

If you have any questions about the search you can call the Office of the Public Guardian on 0300 456 0300, although they are not able to disclose any of the information listed above over the phone.

You will need to provide full details for the Donor (LPA/EPA) or Client (Deputyship) you are searching for to include their full name, address and date of birth.

The Office of the Public Guardian aim to respond to all enquiries within 10 working days but where an application is made by email it is possible to get a response within a few days.

If you would like advice on any aspect of an LPA, EPA or Deputyship Order please contact a member of our team.