How Long Does It Take to Create an LPA?
From filling in the forms to receiving your registered LPA — a realistic timeline for the entire process.
Written by James Tyrrell · Reviewed by Anthony Dalton · Last reviewed
Most people are surprised to learn that filling in an LPA takes just an hour or two — the real wait is the registration queue at the OPG. From start to finish, the total time is typically between 10 and 16 weeks. Understanding each stage will help you plan ahead and avoid unnecessary delays.
At a glance
- Completing the LPA forms takes 1–2 hours; the signing process takes 1–4 weeks depending on how quickly all parties can meet
- OPG registration takes 8–10 weeks with no fast-track option available
- Total time from start to registered LPA is typically 10–14 weeks
- The most common cause of delay is signing in the wrong order — donor first, then certificate provider, then attorneys
Stage 1: Completing the Forms (1–2 Hours)
The actual form-filling process is the quickest part. If you have all the necessary information to hand — your details, your attorneys' details, your certificate provider's details, and any preferences or instructions — you can typically complete the questionnaire in one to two hours.
Using an online service or the OPG's digital tool, you can save your progress and return later if you need time to gather information or make decisions. Some people spread this over a few days, particularly if they want to discuss attorney choices with family members first.
For a full walkthrough of the process, see our guide on how to make an LPA in the UK.
Stage 2: Document Preparation (1–5 Days)
If you are using the OPG's tool, your documents are generated immediately and you can print them straight away. If you are using a professional service like UKLPA, your documents will be reviewed and prepared within a few working days. This review stage catches errors that might otherwise lead to rejection by the OPG, so it is time well spent.
Stage 3: The Signing Process (1–4 Weeks)
In practice, this is often the stage that drags on the longest, because it requires coordinating between several people. The LPA must be signed in a strict order:
- First: The donor signs the LPA in the presence of a witness.
- Second: The certificate provider signs, confirming that the donor understands the LPA and is not being pressured.
- Third: Each attorney signs their section, each in the presence of a witness.
If your attorneys live nearby, this can be done in a single day. If they live in different parts of the country, though, the forms may need to be posted between signatories, which can add days or weeks.
Key point: The signing order is critical. If anyone signs out of order, the entire LPA will be rejected by the OPG and you will need to start the signing process again.
Stage 4: OPG Registration (8–10 Weeks)
Once all signatures are in place, the completed LPA forms are posted to the Office of the Public Guardian along with the £92 registration fee (per LPA). The OPG’s published processing time is currently 8 to 10 weeks if there are no mistakes in the application.
During this period, the OPG will also contact anyone named as a "person to notify," giving them the opportunity to raise any objections. If there are no issues, the LPA will be stamped, registered, and returned to you by post.
For more detail on registration timelines, see our guide on how long it takes to register an LPA.
Total Timeline Summary
Typical LPA Timeline
Completing the forms: 1–2 hours (or a few days if spread out). Document preparation: 1–5 days. Signing process: 1–4 weeks depending on how quickly all parties can sign. OPG registration: 8–10 weeks. Total: approximately 10–14 weeks from start to registered LPA.
What Can Cause Delays?
Several factors can add time to the process:
- Errors in the forms – If the OPG finds mistakes, they may reject the application or request corrections, adding weeks to the timeline.
- Incorrect signing order – This is the most common cause of rejection and means starting the signing process from scratch.
- Objections – If a person to notify raises a concern, the OPG must investigate before proceeding.
- Missing registration fee – The OPG will not begin processing without the correct fee.
- Difficulty coordinating signatories – If attorneys are slow to sign or live far apart, the signing stage can drag on.
Tips for a Faster Process
You cannot control how long OPG registration takes, but you can minimise the time spent on every other stage. Here are the most effective ways to speed things up:
- Gather your information before you start – Have the full names, dates of birth, and addresses of your attorneys, replacement attorneys, certificate provider, and anyone you want to notify. This avoids back-and-forth that slows down the form-filling stage.
- Use an online service to reduce error risk – Errors are the biggest cause of preventable delays. A service that reviews your documents before you sign can catch mistakes that would otherwise lead to OPG rejection weeks later.
- Arrange a signing day – If possible, get the donor, certificate provider, attorneys, and witnesses together in one place on the same day. This compresses the signing stage from weeks to hours.
- Post to the OPG the same day as the final signature – Every day the signed forms sit on a shelf is a day added to your total timeline. Post them first class the day the last person signs.
- Double-check the signing order – The donor signs first, then the certificate provider, then the attorneys. Getting this wrong is the most common reason for rejection and can add months to the process.
For more tips on speeding things up, see our guide on creating an LPA quickly.
Tip: Our online service checks your documents for errors before you sign, helping you avoid the delays and costs of OPG rejection. See our pricing.
Can You Speed Up OPG Registration?
In short, no. There is no fast-track or priority service for LPA registration. The OPG’s 8 to 10 week timeline is fixed, and they do not offer any way to pay for faster processing. Their workload can fluctuate — at busier times of year, registration may sit closer to the upper end of that estimate.
Because you cannot shorten the registration queue, the best approach is to register early rather than waiting until you actually need the LPA. If you want to keep track of where your application is in the process, see our guide on how to track your LPA registration.
Key Takeaways
- Form-filling is the quick part — most people complete the questionnaire in one to two hours, or spread it over a few days
- The signing stage causes the longest variable delay — coordinating the donor, certificate provider, attorneys, and witnesses can take days or weeks
- OPG registration is fixed at 8–10 weeks — there is no paid priority service and no way to shorten the statutory objection period
- Errors add weeks or months — incorrect signing order is the most common reason for OPG rejection, requiring the entire signing process to restart
- Register early, not when you need it — because you cannot speed up the queue, the best strategy is to create and register your LPA well in advance
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create an LPA in one day?
You can complete and sign the LPA forms in a single day if all parties are available, but registration with the OPG takes a further 8 to 10 weeks. The LPA cannot be used until registration is complete.
Why does LPA registration take so long?
The OPG must carry out detailed checks, notify any named persons, and allow a statutory three-week objection period before an LPA can be registered. This process protects the donor from fraud and undue pressure.
What is the most common cause of delays when creating an LPA?
Signing the LPA in the wrong order is the single most common reason for rejection by the OPG. The donor must sign first, then the certificate provider, then the attorneys. Getting this wrong means starting the signing process again.
How long does it take if I use an online LPA service?
The forms can be completed in one to two hours. Document review by the service typically takes one to five working days. After that, signing and OPG registration follow the same timeline as doing it yourself — the service speeds up preparation and reduces the risk of errors, but it cannot speed up OPG registration.
Does registration take longer if I create both types of LPA?
No. You can submit both a property and financial affairs LPA and a health and welfare LPA at the same time. The OPG processes them in parallel, so both should be returned within the same 8 to 10 week window.
What happens if my LPA is rejected — do I start the whole process again?
You will need to correct the issue and resubmit, which adds weeks to the timeline. The most common reason for rejection is incorrect signing order. Using a service that checks your documents before submission helps avoid this.
This guide was last reviewed and updated on . Information is based on current legislation and OPG guidance for England and Wales.
Official Guidance
Further reading from GOV.UK
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