LPA certificate appointments · England and Wales
Certificate provider for a lasting power of attorney
Independent certification, not a full capacity assessment.
Every LPA needs a certificate provider: an independent person who checks that the donor understands the LPA and is not being induced to make it by fraud or undue pressure. This is a different role from witnessing a signature.
We offer certificate-provider appointments for a property and financial affairs LPA, a health and welfare LPA, or both. Each document is considered separately. If there is genuine doubt about capacity, a full LPA capacity assessment may be needed instead.
Appointments for families and professional referrers across England and Wales.
Which service do you need?
Not everyone making an LPA needs a paid professional certificate provider, and not everyone needs a full capacity assessment. The right service depends on the donor’s circumstances and the evidence needed.
Certificate-provider appointment
This is the focused certificate-provider role. We consider the actual LPA and speak with the donor before deciding whether we can sign the certificate.
A full capacity assessment
Where capacity is genuinely in doubt, or a solicitor needs a detailed capacity report, a certificate-only appointment may not be sufficient. We discuss the concern and agree any further assessment and fee before proceeding.
A witness
A witness observes a signature being made. A certificate provider must make the separate judgement required by the LPA. The same eligible person can sometimes perform both roles, but one does not replace the other.
What we must be satisfied about
The certificate provider must be satisfied that the donor understands the purpose of the LPA and the authority it gives, that no fraud or undue pressure is being used, and that there is no other reason preventing the LPA from being created.
A conversation with the donor
We arrange an opportunity to hear directly from the donor, ideally privately, with appropriate communication support. Relatives may help with arrangements, but should not answer the questions on the donor’s behalf.
A proper record
We keep a dated record of the appointment and the basis for the decision to sign or not sign. A short supporting note may be appropriate, but this service does not include a full capacity report.
A signature is not guaranteed
If we cannot be satisfied that the requirements are met, we do not sign. We explain the concern and discuss what may help, which could include further information, a different appointment or a separately agreed capacity assessment.
- The type of LPA, its purpose and the powers being given.
- Who the donor is appointing and why they have chosen them.
- Any replacement attorneys, restrictions, preferences or other terms that matter.
- The donor’s understanding and ability to make this LPA decision.
- Whether the donor is making the LPA freely, rather than being induced by fraud or undue pressure.
Who can be a certificate provider?
The person must be at least 18 and meet one of two eligibility routes: they know the donor well personally and have done so for at least two years, or they have relevant professional skills. A registered social worker is among the professional examples in the official guidance.
The personal-knowledge route
A suitable friend or colleague may qualify through knowing the donor well for at least two years.
The professional-skills route
An appropriately skilled professional does not need to have known the donor personally for two years. They must still be eligible, independent and able to make the required judgement.
Connections that rule someone out
There are exclusions for attorneys and replacements, certain family and business relationships, and connections with a care home where the donor lives. We check the proposed provider against the full official guidance rather than treating a job title alone as enough.
How the appointment works
Tell us which LPA documents are involved
Say whether the donor is making a financial LPA, a health and welfare LPA or both. Explain any concern about understanding, pressure or the paperwork so we can confirm whether this service is suitable.
Agree the documents and arrangements
We confirm scope, fee, timing and any witnessing request. If certification and witnessing are to be combined at an in-person visit, completed unsigned forms should be ready.
Meet the donor
The professional discusses each proposed LPA in clear language, giving the donor time and appropriate support. The choice of attorney is the donor’s; we do not require them to choose whom their family prefers.
Complete only if the requirements are met
The certificate provider signs after the donor and before the attorneys. Any witnessing must also meet its own requirements. We confirm the paperwork arrangements and retain a dated record.
What to have ready
Start with brief details of the proposed LPA and any deadline. We will explain which documents are needed and how to send them securely. Please do not send medical records or confidential paperwork through the general website form.
- The draft LPA forms, including attorneys, replacements, restrictions and preferences.
- Whether any part of the paperwork has already been signed.
- Details of the people involved, so independence and eligibility can be checked.
- Any relevant information about communication needs, understanding or fluctuations during the day.
- Relevant earlier assessments or other evidence if a concern has been raised.
- The proposed appointment setting, deadline and any witnessing request.
Certificate-provider appointment fees
One LPA costs £360 including VAT. Both LPA types cost £420 including VAT, with each document considered separately. These are certificate-provider appointments, not full capacity assessments and reports. Capacity concerns may require a separate assessment and further agreed fee.
Certificate provider for one LPA
£360 including VAT
£300 net + £60 VAT
Certificate-provider appointment for one LPA type, without a full capacity assessment or report. Signing is conditional on the provider being eligible and satisfied that the requirements are met.
Certificate provider for both LPAs
£420 including VAT
£350 net + £70 VAT
Certificate-provider appointment covering both LPA documents, each considered separately. Scope and suitability are confirmed before booking; this is not two full capacity assessments and reports.
Appointment, signing and paperwork arrangements are confirmed before booking.
Questions about certificate-provider appointments
Do I need to use a professional certificate provider?
Not always. An eligible person who has known the donor well personally for at least two years may act. The official guidance sets out the requirements and exclusions. A professional appointment is an option where no suitable person is available or professional input is wanted.
How long must the certificate provider have known the donor?
The personal-knowledge route requires knowing the donor well personally for at least two years. Someone with relevant professional skills does not need that prior acquaintance, but must still meet the eligibility and independence requirements.
Can the certificate provider also witness the donor’s signature?
Yes, where the person is eligible and the witness requirements are met. The roles remain different. Please arrange any combined certificate-provider and witnessing support before the appointment.
Can both LPAs be considered at the same appointment?
They may be, where the arrangements are suitable. They remain separate documents and decisions: property and financial affairs is not the same as health and welfare.
Is this a full capacity assessment?
No. If there is genuine doubt about capacity, or a detailed report is required, we will discuss whether a separately scoped LPA capacity assessment is needed. Any further assessment and fee must be agreed first.
Can the appointment be remote?
Tell us what you need, including whether witnessing is involved. We confirm whether remote discussion is appropriate and how the signing and document requirements will be met. Do not assume a video appointment also provides remote witnessing.
Will your certificate prevent an objection or guarantee registration?
No. The provider must make the required independent judgement, but a certificate does not remove every possible objection or guarantee that the Office of the Public Guardian will register the LPA.
Official guidance and related services
The official guidance sets out who may act, the exclusions and the signing requirements. We check those requirements for the proposed appointment.