Can You Create an LPA Online?

Written by James Tyrrell · Reviewed by Anthony Dalton · Last reviewed 16 March 2026

Creating a Lasting Power of Attorney online is now the most common method used in England and Wales — and for good reason. It is convenient, affordable, and produces a document that is every bit as legally valid as one prepared by a high-street solicitor. The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) provides its own digital tool, and there are also professional online services like UKLPA.co.uk that guide you through the entire process.

Your Two Main Options for Creating an LPA Online

There are two main routes for creating an LPA online:

• The OPG's online tool (gov.uk) – The government provides a basic self-service tool where you can fill in your LPA details online. You then print, sign, and post the completed forms to the OPG for registration. You still need to pay the £92 registration fee per LPA.
• Professional online services – Services like UKLPA.co.uk take you through a guided questionnaire, prepare your documents professionally, check them for errors, and provide clear signing instructions. UKLPA charges £89 per LPA on top of the £92 OPG registration fee, which significantly reduces the chance of mistakes and rejection while remaining far cheaper than a solicitor.

Why Creating an LPA Online Makes Sense

Creating your LPA online offers clear advantages over the traditional paper-based approach or visiting a solicitor's office:

• Convenience – Complete your LPA from home, at any time that suits you. There is no need to book appointments or travel to a solicitor's office.
• Save and return – You do not need to complete everything in one sitting. Both the OPG tool and online services allow you to save your progress and come back later.
• Cost savings – Online services are significantly cheaper than solicitors, who typically charge £300–£1,000 per LPA.
• Error prevention – Digital forms validate your entries as you go, reducing the risk of mistakes that could lead to your application being rejected.
• Guided process – Online tools walk you through each section step by step, explaining what information is needed and why.

Is an Online LPA Legally Valid?

Yes. An LPA created using an online tool is exactly as legally valid as one prepared by a solicitor. The law does not distinguish between the two. What matters is that the document itself is correctly completed, properly signed in the right order, and registered with the OPG.

The OPG actively encourages people to use its online tool, and the majority of LPA applications are now submitted through digital channels. Banks, care homes, hospitals, and other institutions must accept a properly registered LPA regardless of how it was created.

What Must Still Be Done in Person

While the forms can be completed digitally, certain steps must still happen in person. This is a legal requirement under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, designed to protect donors from fraud and undue influence:

• Signing — the donor must physically sign the printed LPA document in wet ink. Electronic signatures are not yet accepted
• Witnessing — each signature must be witnessed by an independent person who is physically present at the time of signing
• Certificate provider statement — the certificate provider must meet with the donor to confirm they understand the LPA and are not being pressured, then sign the document themselves

The Future: Fully Digital LPAs

The Powers of Attorney Act 2023 paves the way for LPAs to be created, signed, and registered entirely digitally — without printing, physical signatures, or posting paper documents. Key features of the planned system include:

• Electronic signatures replacing wet ink
• Digital identity verification for donors, attorneys, and certificate providers
• Faster registration and a digital register for instant verification

As of early 2026, this system has not yet been fully implemented. Physical signatures and witnessing are still required. That said, don't wait for the digital system — having an LPA in place now is far better than waiting for a future process change.

The Online LPA Process Step by Step

Whether you use the OPG tool or a service like UKLPA, the general process follows the same pattern:

• Step 1: Choose the type of LPA you want – Property and Financial Affairs, Health and Welfare, or both.
• Step 2: Provide your personal details (the donor's information).
• Step 3: Name your attorneys and decide how they should act (jointly, severally, or jointly for some decisions and severally for others).
• Step 4: Optionally appoint replacement attorneys.
• Step 5: Add any preferences or instructions for your attorneys.
• Step 6: Choose your certificate provider – someone who confirms you understand the LPA and are not being pressured.
• Step 7: Optionally name people to be notified when the LPA is registered.
• Step 8: Review and confirm all details.
• Step 9: Print, sign in the correct order, and submit for registration.

For a complete walkthrough, read our step-by-step guide to making an LPA.

Government OPG Tool vs Professional Online LPA Service

The OPG's own tool is a basic self-service option (you only pay the £92 registration fee), but it does have limitations. It provides minimal guidance and leaves much of the decision-making to you. If you make errors in how you describe preferences or instructions, the tool will not necessarily catch them.

A professional online service adds a layer of support. Your documents are reviewed before being issued, and you receive personalised signing instructions. If something is unclear, you can ask for help through the service's client portal or messaging system.

What You Need to Know

This guide was last reviewed and updated on 16 March 2026. Information is based on current legislation and OPG guidance for England and Wales.

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