To view a lasting power of attorney online, the person who made it (the donor) or an appointed attorney signs in to the government's free Use a lasting power of attorney service on gov.uk, where they can see a one-page summary and create a secure access code to share.
An organisation such as a bank, building society or care provider then enters that access code, along with the donor's details for verification, on the View a lasting power of attorney service to read the same summary online, rather than being sent the paper document. Both services are provided by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). The details below are current as at August 2026 and are subject to change.
If you made the LPA or are an attorney
The Use a lasting power of attorney service is for donors and attorneys named on a registered LPA. It lets you view a summary and generate access codes so you do not have to post or hand over the original document. The service is free to use (gov.uk, Use a lasting power of attorney, as at August 2026, subject to change).
Step by step
- Create an account. The first time you use the service, set up an account on gov.uk.
- Add the LPA. Enter the LPA reference number and an activation key. An activation key is valid for one year, and a replacement can be requested if it has expired (gov.uk, as at August 2026, subject to change).
- View the summary. Once the LPA is added, you can see a one-page summary showing who the attorneys are and how they can act.
- Create an access code. Generate a 13-character code, starting with V, and give it to the organisation that needs to see the LPA.
- Track access. The service records which organisations have used your codes and when, so you can keep your own record.
A separate access code is needed for each LPA. Someone who holds both a property and financial affairs LPA and a health and welfare LPA generates one code per document (gov.uk, as at August 2026, subject to change).
If you are an organisation asked to view an LPA
A company that has been given an access code does not need an account. It uses the View a lasting power of attorney service, enters the code, and confirms the donor's details to match the record. The service then displays the summary and confirms whether the LPA is valid and who may act. There is no fee to view an LPA this way (gov.uk, View a lasting power of attorney, as at August 2026, subject to change).
| Detail | What to know (August 2026) |
|---|---|
| Access code length | 13 characters, beginning with V |
| How long a code lasts | 50 days from the day it is created |
| Codes per LPA | One code for each LPA (property and financial affairs, and health and welfare, are separate) |
| Cost to view online | No fee |
| Who can create a code | The donor or an attorney named on the LPA |
Because a code is valid for 50 days from the day it is created, an organisation that receives one has a set window to use it, and the donor or attorney can generate a fresh code at any time (gov.uk, Using the donor's LPA, as at August 2026, subject to change).
Which LPAs can be viewed online
The online service works for LPAs registered in England and Wales on or after 1 January 2016 (gov.uk, View a lasting power of attorney, as at August 2026, subject to change). There are two types of lasting power of attorney, and each is handled separately online.
| Type of LPA | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Property and financial affairs | Decisions about money, bank accounts, bills, and property, such as selling a home |
| Health and welfare | Decisions about daily care, medical treatment, and where the donor lives |
Source: gov.uk/power-of-attorney, as at August 2026, subject to change. For a fuller explanation of how these documents work, see our guide to the lasting power of attorney.
What the online summary shows
The summary is a one-page view rather than the full document. It generally sets out the donor's details, who the attorneys are, whether they can act jointly or separately, any conditions or instructions, and confirmation that the LPA is registered and valid (gov.uk, as at August 2026, subject to change). For many banks and providers this summary is enough to let an attorney act, which can save the delay of posting original papers.
What to do if an LPA cannot be viewed online
Older LPAs, and enduring powers of attorney made before October 2007, are not on the online service, so the paper document or a certified copy is used instead. If an LPA has not yet been registered, it cannot be used or viewed online at all, because an LPA can only be used once the Office of the Public Guardian has registered it. Registration costs £92 per LPA and takes around 8 to 10 weeks when there are no mistakes in the application (gov.uk/power-of-attorney, as at August 2026, subject to change).
Putting a valid LPA in place is often considered alongside a will and wider plans. Our guides on how to write a will and estate planning explain how these documents can fit together, and planning ahead can also matter when families are planning for or limiting the impact of care fees.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
The Use and View services described here apply to lasting powers of attorney in England and Wales. Scotland has its own system of powers of attorney, registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland), and Northern Ireland uses enduring powers of attorney with separate arrangements. The gov.uk online viewing service does not cover those documents, so anyone dealing with a Scottish or Northern Irish power of attorney checks the rules for that nation.