What Information Is Needed to Create an LPA?
Everything you need to have ready before you start filling in your Lasting Power of Attorney. For official information, see GOV.UK LPA guidance.
Written by Anthony Dalton · Reviewed by James Tyrrell · Last reviewed
One of the most common reasons people stall halfway through their LPA is that they do not have someone's date of birth or address to hand. Gathering everything before you start makes the process much quicker and reduces the chance of errors. This guide covers every piece of information required for both types of LPA — Property and Financial Affairs and Health and Welfare.
At a glance
- You need full names, dates of birth, and addresses for yourself, each attorney, each replacement attorney, and your certificate provider
- Decide how multiple attorneys should act (jointly, jointly and severally, or a hybrid) before you start the form
- For a Health and Welfare LPA, you must also decide whether to give your attorneys authority over life-sustaining treatment
- You do not need everything ready at once — most online services let you save progress and return later
Your Personal Details (The Donor)
The donor is the person creating the LPA — that is you. You will need to provide:
- Your full legal name (as it appears on official documents)
- Any other names you are known by or have previously been known by
- Your date of birth
- Your current home address
- Your email address (optional, but useful for correspondence)
- Your telephone number
Attorney Details
Your attorneys are the people you appoint to make decisions on your behalf. For each attorney, you will need:
- Their full legal name
- Their date of birth
- Their current home address
- Their relationship to you (spouse, child, friend, professional, etc.)
- Their email address (optional)
You can appoint one or more attorneys. If you appoint more than one, you will also need to decide how they should act together — jointly (all must agree on every decision), severally (each can act independently), or jointly for some decisions and severally for others.
Key point: Make sure you have spoken to your chosen attorneys before naming them. They need to understand and agree to the responsibility before the LPA is created.
Replacement Attorney Details
Replacement attorneys step in if one or more of your original attorneys can no longer act — for example, if they become ill, lose mental capacity, or die. Appointing replacements is optional but strongly recommended. You will need the same information as for your main attorneys: full name, date of birth, address, and relationship to you.
Certificate Provider Details
Every LPA must have a certificate provider. This is an independent person who confirms that you understand the LPA and that nobody is pressuring you into making it. You will need their:
- Full name
- Address
- How they know you (or their professional qualification)
A certificate provider must be either someone who has known you well for at least two years, or a professional such as a doctor, solicitor, or social worker. They cannot be a family member, one of your attorneys, or anyone under 18.
For more on who can fill this role, see our guide on what a certificate provider is and who can be one.
People to Notify
You can optionally name up to five people who should be told when your LPA is being registered. These are people who would be able to raise concerns if they believed something was wrong — for example, that you were being pressured into creating the LPA, or that you lacked the mental capacity to do so.
For each person to notify, you will need their full name and address. Naming people to notify is not compulsory, but it provides an additional safeguard.
Preferences and Instructions
You do not necessarily need specific documents for this section, but you should think carefully about what you want to include. There are two types of guidance you can give your attorneys:
Preferences vs Instructions
Preferences are wishes that your attorneys should consider but are not legally bound to follow. For example, "I would prefer to stay in my own home for as long as possible." Instructions are binding requirements that your attorneys must follow. For example, "My attorneys must not sell my property at 10 High Street without the agreement of all attorneys." Instructions must be clear and achievable — unclear or impractical instructions can cause problems.
Health and Welfare LPA – Additional Information
If you are creating a Health and Welfare LPA, you will also need to decide whether to give your attorneys the authority to make life-sustaining treatment decisions on your behalf. This is an important decision that should be discussed with your attorneys and, if you wish, your doctor.
LPA Information Checklist
Here is a quick checklist of everything to gather before you start:
- Your full name, date of birth, and address
- Full names, dates of birth, and addresses of your attorneys
- Full names, dates of birth, and addresses of any replacement attorneys
- Certificate provider's name, address, and how they know you
- Names and addresses of anyone you want to be notified
- Any preferences or instructions you want to include
- Your decision on life-sustaining treatment (Health and Welfare LPA only)
For information about which documents you may need to provide, see our guide on documents needed to create an LPA. For a full walkthrough of the creation process, see how to make an LPA in the UK.
What If You Don't Have All the Information Yet?
You do not need every detail ready before you begin. Many online LPA services allow you to save your progress and come back later, so there is no need to wait until you have everything perfectly lined up. You can start by entering your own personal details and the information you already know, then fill in the rest once you have confirmed things like your certificate provider or your attorneys' addresses.
The important thing is to get started rather than putting it off. Gathering the information needed to create an LPA often takes a few conversations with family and friends, and that is completely normal. Starting the process early gives you time to make thoughtful decisions without rushing.
Tip: Our guided online service lets you save your progress and return at any time — start with what you know and fill in the rest when you're ready.
If you're ready to get started, our step-by-step guided service walks you through every stage. See our pricing for details.
Key Takeaways
- Gather details before you start — having names, dates of birth, and addresses ready for all parties avoids stalling halfway through the form
- Talk to your attorneys first — they need to understand the role and agree to it before you name them, and they will need to sign the LPA themselves
- Be careful with instructions — preferences are wishes your attorneys should consider; instructions are legally binding restrictions that must be clear and achievable
- Naming people to notify is optional but recommended — up to five people can be informed when the LPA is registered, providing an extra safeguard against misuse
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need my attorney's permission before naming them in my LPA?
While not a legal requirement at the form-filling stage, you should always discuss the role with your chosen attorneys beforehand. They need to understand and agree to the responsibility, and they will need to sign the LPA document themselves.
What is the difference between preferences and instructions in an LPA?
Preferences are wishes your attorneys should consider but are not legally binding. Instructions are binding restrictions that your attorneys must follow. Be careful with instructions, as overly restrictive ones may prevent your attorneys from acting in your best interests.
Is naming people to notify compulsory?
No, it is optional. However, naming up to five people to notify provides an important safeguard. These individuals are informed when the LPA is registered and can raise concerns if they believe something is wrong, such as undue pressure or lack of capacity.
Can I start creating my LPA before I have all the details?
Yes, most online services let you save your progress. You can begin filling in your own details and return later once you've confirmed your attorneys and certificate provider.
Do I need my attorneys' consent before I name them?
It's not legally required at the form stage, but you should always discuss the role with them first. They need to understand the responsibility and will need to sign the LPA themselves.
How many replacement attorneys should I name?
There's no set number, but at least one is strongly recommended. If your sole attorney can't act and there's no replacement, the LPA fails entirely.
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
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