Can You Replace a Lost or Damaged LPA?
Yes — the OPG can provide a certified replacement for £17 per copy.
Written by James Tyrrell · Reviewed by Anthony Dalton · Last reviewed
Discovering your LPA is missing can be alarming — but it is not the disaster it might feel like. Whether the document was lost in a house move, damaged by water, destroyed in a fire, or simply cannot be found, the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) keeps a permanent record of every registered LPA. You can request an official replacement — known as an office copy — which carries the same legal weight as the original. Here is everything you need to know about the replacement process.
At a glance
- Yes, a lost or damaged registered LPA can be replaced by requesting an office copy from the OPG for £17 per copy
- An office copy has the same legal standing as the original — banks, care homes and hospitals must accept it
- Replacements are only available for LPAs that have been registered; unregistered LPAs cannot be replaced
- The OPG keeps a permanent record of every registered LPA on its register
What Is an Office Copy?
An office copy is a certified reproduction of your registered LPA, produced and authenticated by the OPG. It is stamped with the OPG's official seal, confirming that it is a true and accurate copy of the document held on the register.
An office copy has the same legal standing as the original registered LPA. Banks, solicitors, care homes, hospitals, and all other organisations are legally required to accept it as valid proof of the attorney's authority to act.
This means that even if your original LPA has been completely destroyed, you have not lost the protection it provides. The registration is what matters, and the OPG's register is the permanent record.
How Much Does an LPA Replacement Cost?
Each office copy costs £17. You can order as many copies as you need, though each one is charged separately. Many people find it useful to order two or three copies so that they can:
- Keep one at home in a secure location
- Give one to their attorney or attorneys
- Provide one to their bank or financial institution
- Store one with their solicitor
Tip: Ordering multiple copies upfront saves time later. If you need to register the LPA with several banks simultaneously, having separate copies means you do not have to wait for one institution to return the document before sending it to another.
How to Apply for a Replacement
The process for requesting an office copy is straightforward:
Contact the OPG
You can apply online through the GOV.UK website, by telephone, or by post. The OPG's contact details are available on the government website.
Verify your identity
The OPG will need to confirm that you are authorised to receive a copy. You will need to provide your name, address, and the donor's details. You may be asked for identification.
Pay the fee
The £17 fee per copy can be paid online or by cheque. If you are applying for multiple copies, state how many you need.
Receive your copies
The OPG will send the certified office copies to you by post. Processing times vary but typically take a few weeks. If you need urgent access, explain your circumstances to the OPG.
What If Your LPA Was Never Registered?
The OPG can only provide copies of registered LPAs. If your LPA was signed but never submitted for registration, the OPG has no record of it. In this case:
- If you have lost the unregistered document, you will need to create a new LPA from scratch
- An unregistered LPA cannot be used — attorneys can only act once the LPA has been registered
- If the donor still has mental capacity, they can create and register a new LPA
- If the donor has lost capacity and the unregistered LPA is lost, the family may need to apply to the Court of Protection for a deputyship order
This highlights the importance of registering your LPA as soon as possible after it is completed. For guidance on the registration process, see our guide on how to register an LPA with the OPG.
How to Keep Your LPA Safe and Accessible
Once you have your replacement copies, take steps to avoid losing them again:
- Use a fireproof and waterproof safe at home for your most important documents
- Give a copy to each attorney so they have immediate access when needed
- Store a copy with your solicitor — many firms offer document storage services
- Make a digital scan for quick reference (though note that organisations typically need to see an official copy)
- Tell trusted people where the documents are kept — an LPA cannot help if nobody can find it in an emergency
- Review periodically — check that your LPA documents are where you expect them to be at least once a year
For more comprehensive advice on document storage and protection, see our guide on how to store your LPA safely. You can also learn more about what happens if you lose your LPA documents and the broader implications.
Digital LPAs and the Future
The UK government is progressively moving towards a digital LPA system. When fully implemented, this will mean:
- LPAs will be stored digitally on the OPG's systems, reducing reliance on paper documents
- Organisations will be able to verify an LPA's existence and validity online in real time
- The risk of losing or damaging physical documents will be greatly reduced
- Replacement copies may become instant downloads rather than postal requests
Until the digital system is fully rolled out, paper-based LPAs remain the standard, and it is essential to keep your documents secure and know how to obtain replacements when needed.
Bottom line: A lost or damaged LPA is an inconvenience, not a disaster. For £17, you can get an official replacement that is just as valid as the original. Act sooner rather than later — do not wait until you urgently need the document to discover it is missing.
Make sure your LPA is properly drafted so it works when you need it. See how our service works or check our pricing.
Key Takeaways
- Office copies are official replacements — each one costs £17 and is stamped with the OPG seal, carrying identical legal weight to the original registered document.
- Unregistered LPAs cannot be replaced — if the document was never registered and is lost, you must create a new LPA from scratch while the donor still has mental capacity.
- Order multiple copies upfront — having separate copies for your attorney, bank and solicitor avoids delays when the LPA needs to be used with several organisations simultaneously.
- Register your LPA as soon as it is signed — registration creates the permanent record on the OPG register that makes replacements possible in the first place.
Replacing an LPA: Questions We Hear Most
How much does it cost to replace a lost LPA?
An office copy of a registered LPA costs £17 per copy from the OPG. You can order multiple copies if needed, and each one carries the same legal weight as the original registered document.
Will banks and care homes accept a replacement office copy of my LPA?
Yes. An office copy issued by the OPG has the same legal standing as the original registered LPA. Banks, solicitors, care homes, hospitals, and all other organisations are legally required to accept it.
Can I get a replacement if my LPA was never registered?
No. The OPG can only provide copies of registered LPAs. If an unregistered LPA is lost, you will need to create a new one from scratch, which is only possible while the donor still has mental capacity.
This guide was last reviewed and updated on . Information is based on current legislation and OPG guidance for England and Wales.
Official Guidance
Government guidance on GOV.UK
Take the First Step Today
Creating an LPA is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family.
