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Certificate Provider for Lasting Power of Attorney

When you create a Lasting Power of Attorney, the law requires independent confirmation that you understand what you're doing and aren't being pressured into it. This confirmation comes from either a certificate provider or witnesses.

A certificate provider is someone who certifies that you have the mental capacity to make an LPA and that nobody is forcing or pressuring you. At Nellie Supports, we provide independent, professional certificate provider services across England and Wales, with the unique advantage of being registered mental capacity specialists.

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Who, When, Where, How Much

When Do You Need a Certificate Provider?

Every Lasting Power of Attorney requires BOTH:

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  1. A certificate provider - to certify you understand the document and have capacity

  2. Witnesses - to witness your signature and your attorneys' signatures

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These are different roles and you need both for your LPA to be valid.

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The certificate provider:

  • Certifies you understand what the LPA means

  • Confirms you have mental capacity to make the decision

  • Confirms you're not being pressured or coerced

  • Signs Part B of the LPA form

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The witnesses:

  • Watch you sign the LPA form

  • Watch your attorneys sign the LPA form

  • Confirm the signatures are genuine

  • Must be independent (different rules apply)

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You might need a professional certificate provider if:

  • You don't have friends who've known you for 2+ years

  • Your friends or colleagues aren't comfortable taking on the responsibility

  • You want complete independence and professional expertise

  • There are family concerns or disputes about the LPA

  • You have complex circumstances or fluctuating capacity

  • You want the process completed quickly and correctly

  • A solicitor has recommended getting professional certification

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Who Can Be a Certificate Provider?

Someone who has known you personally for at least two years, such as:

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  • A friend

  • Neighbour

  • Colleague

  • Former colleague

  • Ex-partner

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OR a person with relevant professional skills, such as:

  • A solicitor

  • Doctor (GP or hospital consultant)

  • Registered social worker

  • Mental capacity specialist

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Who CANNOT be a certificate provider:

  • Your attorneys or replacement attorneys

  • Family members (spouse, partner, children, siblings, parents, grandchildren, etc.)

  • Your attorneys' family members

  • Business partners of you or your attorneys

  • Employees of you or your attorneys

  • Anyone under 18

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What Is a Certificate Provider?

A certificate provider is an independent person who confirms three things on your Lasting Power of Attorney application:

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  1. You understand the LPA - You know what you're agreeing to and the powers you're giving your attorneys

  2. You have mental capacity - You're able to make this decision

  3. You're not under pressure - Nobody is forcing or coercing you into making the LPA

 

Without this certificate or suitable witnesses, the Office of the Public Guardian won't register your LPA.

Where Do We Provide Certificate Provider Services?

Nationwide coverage across England and Wales.

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We travel to you at:

  • Your home

  • A care home

  • A solicitor's office

  • Hospital

  • Any location that's convenient for you

 

Over 95% of our clients prefer face-to-face appointments rather than video calls, and we're equipped to meet you anywhere in England and Wales.

Lady Justice statue representing legal standards for testamentary mental capacity assessments

Do I Need a Mental Capacity Assessment for My LPA?

Short answer: Not always. But you always need a certificate provider.

This is one of the most common questions we get, and the confusion is understandable because both involve assessing capacity. Here's the difference:

Certificate Provider (Required for Every LPA)

Every Lasting Power of Attorney must have a certificate provider. This is a legal requirement.

The certificate provider:

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  • Confirms you understand what the LPA means

  • Certifies you have mental capacity to make the decision

  • Confirms you're not being pressured or coerced

  • Signs Part B of the LPA form

 

This is a relatively brief assessment (typically 30-45 minutes) focused on whether you understand the specific LPA you're creating.

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Cost: £230 + VAT (or free when combined with a full mental capacity assessment)

Mental Capacity Assessment (Only Required If There Are Concerns)

A formal mental capacity assessment is NOT required for every LPA. You only need one if there are genuine concerns about capacity.

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A mental capacity assessment:

  • Is a detailed, thorough evaluation (60-90 minutes)

  • Produces a comprehensive written report

  • Assesses capacity in depth according to the Mental Capacity Act 2005

  • Provides court-ready evidence

  • Can be used if capacity is challenged later

 

You might need a full mental capacity assessment if:

  • The person has dementia, brain injury, learning disabilities, or mental health conditions

  • There are family disputes about whether they have capacity

  • A solicitor has raised concerns

  • The person's capacity fluctuates

  • You want detailed evidence for future protection

  • There's a risk the LPA might be challenged

 

Cost: £496 + VAT (includes certificate provider service for free) Discove rmore about our capacity to grant lasting powers of attorney assessment service here

Not sure whether you need a full mental capacity assessment? Speak to our team for advice

Why Choose Nellie Supports as Your Certificate Provider?

  • Unlike solicitors or GPs who can act as certificate providers, we are registered social workers and chartered psychologists who specialise in mental capacity assessment. We understand the Mental Capacity Act 2005 inside out and can identify subtle capacity issues that non-specialists might miss.

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    This means you get:

    • Expert assessment of your understanding

    • Thorough evaluation that protects you and your attorneys

    • Professional certification the Office of the Public Guardian trusts

    • Peace of mind that it's been done properly

     

    Many solicitors and GPs can sign as certificate providers, but they're not trained mental capacity specialists. We are.

  • We travel to you anywhere in England and Wales. Over 95% of our clients prefer face-to-face appointments rather than video calls.

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    We come to:

    • Your home

    • Care homes

    • Solicitors' offices

    • Hospitals

    • Any location convenient for you

     

    No need to travel. No need to find someone local. We come to you.

  • We know LPA applications are often time-sensitive.

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    Our timeline:

    • Appointments typically scheduled within 1-2 weeks

    • Certificate completed on the day or within 24-48 hours

     

    This is significantly faster than many solicitors or GPs who may have long waiting lists or slow administrative processes.

  • Here's where we're truly different: if you need both a certificate provider AND a mental capacity assessment (because there are genuine concerns about capacity), we can do both in one visit.

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    Why this matters:

    • Saves you time and multiple appointments

    • More thorough than a basic certificate provider check

    • Provides detailed evidence if capacity is questioned later

    • One professional handles both aspects

    • Certificate provider service is FREE when combined with an MCA (£496 + VAT total)

     

    Most certificate providers can't offer this. If they have concerns about your capacity, they'll refuse to sign and you'll need to find a mental capacity specialist separately. We handle both, in one appointment.

  • We have no referral partnerships, no financial incentives, and no conflicts of interest.

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    We don't:

    • Sell legal services

    • Sell financial products

    • Have referral arrangements with solicitors or will writers

    • Benefit from your LPA decisions in any way

     

    Our only commitment is to accurate, professional assessment. We're here to certify your capacity and understanding, nothing more.

  • We understand that discussing mental capacity can feel uncomfortable or intrusive. Our assessors are trained to:

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    • Put you at ease from the first moment

    • Conduct assessments conversationally, not like an interrogation

    • Respect your dignity and autonomy

    • Explain everything in plain English

    • Answer all your questions patiently

    • Never rush you

     

    You're not a form to be signed. You're a person making an important decision, and we treat you that way.

  • We've completed over 6,000 mental capacity assessments and certificate provider services. Our clients include:

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    • Families arranging LPAs for elderly parents

    • Solicitors requiring independent certification for clients

    • Professional deputies managing complex cases

    • Financial advisers supporting clients with estate planning

    • Individuals who want professional independence

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    Our reports and certificates are regularly accepted by the Office of the Public Guardian and courts across England and Wales.

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By using Nellie Supports, you gain an independent professional Certificate Provider who meets all OPG requirements, reducing the risk of rejection or challenge

What Happens During a Certificate Provider Appointment?

During the Appointment (30-45 minutes)

Introduction (5 minutes)

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  • We'll introduce ourselves and explain our role

  • We'll confirm you're happy to proceed

  • We'll explain what we'll discuss and why

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Understanding the LPA (15-20 minutes)

We'll have a conversation about your LPA to confirm you understand what you're doing.

 

We'll ask questions like:

  • What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?

  • What powers are you giving your attorneys?

  • When can your attorneys use these powers?

  • Are there any restrictions or conditions you've included?

  • Can you change your mind later?

  • What happens if you disagree with your attorneys' decisions?

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Checking for Pressure or Coercion (5-10 minutes)

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We'll gently explore:

  • Whose idea was it to create the LPA?

  • Do you feel comfortable with your chosen attorneys?

  • Has anyone pressured you to create this LPA?

  • Are you making this decision freely?

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Signing the Certificate (5 minutes)

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If we're satisfied that:

  • You understand the LPA

  • You have mental capacity to make this decision

  • You're not being pressured or coerced

Before the Appointment

When you book:

  • We'll schedule a convenient time and location (typically within 1-2 weeks)

  • We'll confirm what documents you need to bring

  • We'll answer any questions you have about the process

  • We'll send appointment confirmation with our assessor's details

 

What to prepare:

  • Your draft LPA form(s) - LP1 for property and financial affairs, or LP1 for health and welfare

  • Photo ID (passport or driving licence)

  • Proof of address (if your ID doesn't show your current address)

  • Details of your chosen attorneys (names, addresses, relationship to you)

 

No need to stress. This isn't an exam. We're here to have a conversation and understand your wishes.

After the Appointment

Within 24-48 hours:

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  • You'll receive your signed certificate (or on the day if urgent)

  • We'll provide a copy for your records

  • We'll confirm what you need to do next

 

Within 5-10 working days:

  • Full service completed

  • All documentation provided

  • You can proceed with registering your LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian

 

If you have questions later:

  • We're available by phone or email

  • No charge for follow-up questions

  • We're here to support you through the process

If We Have Concerns

We won't leave you stuck.

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If during the appointment we have concerns about your capacity or understanding, we'll:

  1. Explain our concerns clearly and sensitively

    • What specifically we're concerned about

    • Why it matters for the LPA

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  1. Discuss options:

    • Upgrade to a full mental capacity assessment (we can do this on the same day if you'd like)

    • Provide more information and reschedule if you just need clarification

    • Discuss alternatives like deputyship if capacity is genuinely lacking

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  1. Support you through next steps

    • We won't just refuse and walk away

    • We'll guide you on what to do next

    • We're here to help, not gatekeep

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The good news: Because we're mental capacity specialists, we can conduct a full assessment on the spot if needed. Most certificate providers can't do this.

Our Process – Step by Step

Initial Call WebP.webp

Initial enquiry & triage

Contact us by phone, email, or our website form. We’ll confirm your needs, check that there are no concerns about your mental capacity, and provide a clear written quotation (including VAT and travel if applicable).

Appointment Webp.webp

Home Visit Appointment

A suitably qualified and experienced professional will visit you at home (or another comfortable location) to discuss your LPA. We explain the document in clear, simple terms and make sure you understand the decision you’re making and its consequences.

Report Writing WEBP.webp

Acting as Certificate Provider

We complete the Certificate Provider section of your LPA, confirming your understanding, that you are acting voluntarily, and that no undue influence is present. If needed, we can also witness your signature at no extra cost.

Delivery Webp.webp

Short Report for OPG Queries

As an added safeguard, we provide a short written report answering the most common questions the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) may ask if they query your LPA, helping to protect it from delays or rejection.

Protecting LPAs from Challenge:
Articles & Insights

Explore our articles on LPA capacity assessments, with practical guidance, common challenges, and expert insights to support families, solicitors, and deputies navigating the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Frequently Asked Questions

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