What is the best way to activate and use your LPA online?

Author: Chris Watts MSWW, CeMAP – Will Writer, Fern Wills & LPAs
Last verified: 11 August 2025 (England & Wales)

Quick-read summary

Activating your registered Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) lets you use the government’s secure online service to share a digital summary of the LPA with banks, the NHS and other organisations. You’ll need the LPA reference number and the activation key from the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) letter. Once added, you generate short-lived access codes to share when needed. Paper copies still work, but activating your LPA makes life easier and faster.

Practical checklist

1. Find the OPG registration letter for each LPA and note the LPA reference number and activation key.
2. Create or sign in with GOV.UK One Login and go to Use a lasting power of attorney.
3. Add each LPA using the reference number and activation key.
4. Generate access codes when an organisation needs to view the LPA online.
5. Compile a list of people and organisations to notify (banks, GP surgery, care providers, utilities, investment firms, HMRC).
6. Keep a record of who you’ve shared codes with; codes expire automatically.
7. If the activation key has expired, request a replacement through the same service.
8. Always keep self-certified paper copies available — some organisations still ask for them at first use.

Benefits of using the online service

• Speed: organisations can check the LPA instantly without postal delays.
• Security: no risk of losing original documents in the mail.
• Audit trail: see when and who accessed your LPA.
• Convenience: generate and revoke access codes instantly.
• Multiple LPAs: manage Health & Welfare and Property & Financial Affairs LPAs in one place.

What to consider

• Time limits: activation keys expire after 12 months — don’t delay activation.
• Digital vs paper: most organisations accept the online summary; some may still require a certified paper copy the first time.
• Know the codes: activation key = used once to add LPA; access code = generated to share LPA summary for a limited time.
• Different rules per LPA type: Health & Welfare LPAs only work when capacity is lost; Property & Financial Affairs LPAs may allow pre-capacity use if selected.
• Replacement attorneys: they must be formally registered before joining the online system.

How this works in real life

We helped a client — let’s call her Mrs C — with two registered LPAs. Her son needed to update the bank and GP immediately. We activated both LPAs online using the OPG activation keys and generated access codes the same day. The GP accessed the Health & Welfare LPA online within minutes; the bank initially asked for a paper copy, then switched to LPA summary access codes. The result: no lost documents, no postal delays, and a clear, secure audit trail.

FAQs

Where do I find my activation key and LPA reference number?

See your OPG registration letter for each LPA — Health & Welfare and Property & Financial Affairs, each have a separate reference number. 

My activation key has expired — what now?

Sign into “Use a lasting power of attorney” and request a replacement activation key — it will be posted to your recorded address. 

Why did I receive two reference numbers?

You likely have both H&W and P&F LPAs — each needs its own reference number and must be activated separately.

How do I generate a V-code (access code)?

Once you’ve added the LPA to your account, select Give an organisation access to get a time-limited code (starts with V).

How can someone view the LPA using the code?

They go to View a lasting power of attorney, then enter the donor’s surname and the V-code.

Address or name changed — can I still request a key?

Yes. Contact OPG to update your details (provide LPA reference, donor’s name, DOB), then log in and request a new key.

Tips for banks and personal banking?

Call ahead to confirm. Bring original or certified LPA, ID, and ask if they can accept the online summary — many will, after initially needing a paper copy.

What does an access code look like?

It starts with V and lasts for a short time — usually around 30 days.

Do banks accept the online summary?

Many do; some still want a certified paper copy first.

When can attorneys act via LPA?

H&W: only if capacity is lost. P&F: can act beforehand if that’s what the LPA allows, otherwise only after capacity is lost.

What if the donor has lost capacity already?

For H&W, organisations may ask for evidence of capacity assessment. For P&F, only needed if the LPA specifies.

Can I use the service for older LPAs?

Only for LPAs registered on or after 1 January 2016. Paper copies remain valid for all others.

Need a copy of my LPA?

Use a certified copy, or apply for an office copy from OPG (fees apply).

What details does the online summary show?

Donor/attorney names, DOB, how decisions are made, instructions/preferences, when it can be used, donor signature date, registration date.

Business bank accounts — any differences?

Processes vary. Some require a mandate change rather than an online summary. Always check with your bank first.

Can a non-attorney family member view the LPA?

Only if you share an access code with them.

Lost your OPG letter?

Request a replacement so you can access both the reference number and the activation key.

Optional Technical Notes (for those who want the detail…)

Services involved

• Use a lasting power of attorney: donors/attorneys add LPAs and generate access codes.
• View a lasting power of attorney: organisations view LPA summaries using access codes.

Key terms

• Activation key: one-time code used to add the LPA — valid for 12 months.
• Access code: V-code generated by you to share the LPA — time-limited and revocable.

Certified copy wording (paper route)

On every copy (never change the original): Insert the correct wording on every page and the additional wording on the final page.

“I certify this is a true and complete copy of the corresponding page of the original lasting power of attorney.” On the final page, add:

“I certify this is a true and complete copy of the lasting power of attorney.” Then sign and date every page.

Next steps

• Want help activating your LPA online or replacing an expired key? We can guide you step-by-step.
• If a bank or insurer asks for a paper copy, we can prepare certified copies and advise on secure storage.
• Haven’t set up an LPA yet? We draft, register, and help activate your LPAs online once they’re ready.