What Happens If You Lose Your LPA Documents?
Losing your LPA paperwork is stressful — but the good news is that the OPG keeps a copy.
Written by Anthony Dalton · Reviewed by James Tyrrell · Last reviewed
It can happen to anyone. A house move, a flood, a misplaced filing box — and suddenly you cannot find your registered Lasting Power of Attorney documents. If this has happened to you, do not panic. When an LPA is registered, the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) keeps a record of it on their register. This means your LPA is not lost forever, and you can obtain a replacement. Here is exactly what you need to know.
At a glance
- Losing the physical documents does not invalidate your LPA — the OPG keeps a record of all registered LPAs on their official register
- You can request an official office copy from the OPG for £17 per copy — it has the same legal standing as the original
- Only the donor, named attorneys, replacement attorneys, or their authorised representative can request a copy
- To prevent loss, store the original in a fireproof safe, make certified copies, and set up the OPG's digital "Use an LPA" service
Your LPA Still Exists on the Register
The most important thing to understand is that losing the physical documents does not invalidate your LPA. When you registered the LPA with the OPG, the details were recorded on the official register of Lasting Powers of Attorney. The registration — not the piece of paper — is what gives the LPA its legal force.
In practice, though, you do need a copy of the registered LPA to use it. Banks, care homes, hospitals, and other organisations will typically want to see the original registered document or an official copy before they allow an attorney to act. This is where requesting an office copy comes in.
How to Request an Office Copy
An office copy is an official certified copy of your registered LPA, stamped and authenticated by the OPG. It has the same legal standing as the original registered document and can be used in exactly the same way.
To request an office copy:
- Contact the OPG — you can apply by phone, post, or through the OPG's online service
- Provide identification — the OPG will need to verify your identity and confirm that you are the donor, an attorney, or someone else authorised to request a copy
- Pay the fee — an office copy costs £17 per copy
- Wait for delivery — the OPG will send the certified copy to you by post, typically within a few weeks
Tip: Consider ordering more than one office copy. Having multiple copies means you can send one to the bank while keeping another for other purposes — this avoids having to wait for a single copy to be returned before you can use it elsewhere.
Who Can Request a Copy?
Not just anyone can request a copy of a registered LPA. The OPG will provide office copies to:
- The donor — the person who created the LPA
- The attorneys — those named in the LPA to act on the donor's behalf
- Replacement attorneys — those named as backups
- Anyone authorised by the donor or their attorneys — such as a solicitor acting on their behalf
Members of the public can also search the OPG register to confirm whether an LPA has been registered, though they will not receive a full copy of the document without proper authority.
Using an Office Copy
An office copy carries the same weight as the original registered LPA. You can use it to:
- Register as attorney with banks and building societies
- Manage the donor's property and financial affairs
- Make health and welfare decisions (if the LPA is a Health & Welfare LPA and the donor lacks capacity)
- Deal with HMRC, utility companies, insurance providers, and other organisations
- Present to care homes and hospitals as proof of your authority to act
Banks and other institutions are legally required to accept a valid office copy. If you encounter any difficulties, remind the organisation that an OPG-certified office copy has the same legal status as the original registered document. For more on what happens once your LPA is registered, see our guide on what happens after LPA registration.
How to Prevent Losing Your LPA in the First Place
Prevention is better than cure. Here are some practical tips for keeping your LPA documents safe:
- Store the original in a fireproof safe or a secure location at home
- Give a certified copy to each attorney so they have their own copy ready when needed
- Store a copy with your solicitor if you used one to create the LPA
- Keep a copy in a bank safe deposit box (but remember that access to the box itself may require the LPA)
- Tell your attorneys where the documents are kept — an LPA is no use if nobody can find it when it is needed
- Make a digital scan for quick reference, though note that most organisations will need to see an original or official copy
For more detailed advice on document storage, see our guide on how to store your LPA safely.
Looking Ahead: Digital LPAs and the End of Lost Paperwork
The UK government has been working on modernising the LPA system, and digital LPAs are part of that vision. The aim is to allow LPAs to be created, signed, and registered entirely online, with the registered LPA stored digitally on the OPG's systems.
When fully implemented, digital LPAs will mean:
- No physical documents to lose or damage
- Instant verification — organisations will be able to check the OPG register online to confirm an LPA's existence and validity
- Faster registration and reduced paperwork
- Greater accessibility for donors and attorneys
Until the digital system is fully operational, paper-based LPAs remain the norm, and it is important to keep your documents safe and know how to obtain replacements if needed. For more about the Office of the Public Guardian and its role, see our dedicated guide.
Remember: Losing your LPA documents is inconvenient but not catastrophic. The OPG maintains a register of all LPAs, and you can request a certified replacement for just £17. The key is to act promptly and order your replacement copy before you urgently need it.
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
- Do not panic — the OPG register is the source of legal authority, not the piece of paper, and a certified replacement costs just £17
- Order more than one office copy — you may need to send copies to several organisations simultaneously and waiting for one to be returned causes delays
- Act before you urgently need it — request your replacement copy now rather than waiting until a crisis, when every day of delay matters
- Prevent future loss — store the original in a fireproof safe, give certified copies to each attorney, and register with the OPG's digital "Use an LPA" service as a backup
Top Questions About Lost LPA Documents
Does losing my LPA documents invalidate the LPA?
No. Losing the physical documents does not invalidate your LPA. The registration on the OPG's official register is what gives the LPA its legal force. You can request an official office copy to replace the lost documents.
How much does a replacement LPA office copy cost?
An office copy from the OPG costs £17 per copy. It is worth ordering more than one so you can send copies to multiple organisations simultaneously without waiting for one to be returned.
Can anyone request a copy of my registered LPA?
No. The OPG will only provide office copies to the donor, the named attorneys, replacement attorneys, or someone authorised by them such as a solicitor. Members of the public can search the register to confirm an LPA exists but cannot obtain a full copy.
This guide was last reviewed and updated on . Information is based on current legislation and OPG guidance for England and Wales.
Official Guidance
Relevant government resources
Take the First Step Today
Creating an LPA is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family.
