LPA Registration Fee £92 from November 2025 Explained

LPA Registration Fee Change: What £92 Means for Estate Planning in 2026

The Office of the Public Guardian increased the fee to register a lasting power of attorney to £92 on 17 November 2025, up from £82. The change affects all applications for both types of LPA, property and financial affairs, and health and welfare. Registering both LPAs for one person now costs £184 in total, up from £164.

The fee increase reflects rising OPG operational costs and continues a pattern of incremental adjustments since the LPA system was introduced under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Despite the increase, the UK's LPA registration fee remains substantially lower than comparable legal instruments in most other common law jurisdictions, and the one-off cost covers registration that can last for decades.

For context: the same November 2025 changes also increased the probate application fee to £300 in England and Wales (up from £273), with additional copies of the grant costing £16 each. The LPA fee change is part of a broader adjustment to estate and incapacity planning costs that anyone making or reviewing these documents should factor into their planning.

What the £92 Fee Covers

The registration fee is paid to the Office of the Public Guardian when the completed LPA is submitted for registration. It covers the OPG's administrative costs of processing the application, conducting the required notification period (during which certain named people can raise objections), and issuing the registered document with the official stamp that financial institutions and care providers will accept.

The fee does not cover the cost of drafting the LPA. If you use a solicitor to draft the document, solicitor fees are separate, typically £300 to £600 per LPA at most high-street firms, though online services offer lower rates. The OPG's own online tool allows you to complete the forms without professional assistance, with the £92 fee paid separately at submission.

When the Fee Is Paid

The registration fee is paid when the completed LPA forms are submitted to the OPG for registration. It is not payable at the drafting stage. If you draft an LPA with a solicitor but delay registration, which is relatively common, the fee payable is the rate applicable at the time of submission, not the rate in force when the document was drafted. Those who drafted LPAs before 17 November 2025 but had not yet registered them by that date pay the new £92 fee on registration.

Fee Remissions: Who Qualifies

The OPG operates a fee remission scheme for people who cannot afford to pay. The scheme has two tiers:

Full Remission

A full remission, zero registration fee, is available if you receive one of the following means-tested benefits: income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, pension credit (guarantee credit element), housing benefit, or universal credit with no earned income.

50% Remission

A 50% remission, £46 per LPA, is available if your gross annual income is below £12,000 and you do not qualify for the full remission. This threshold covers pension income, employed income, self-employed income, rental income, and other regular receipts. Evidence of income must be provided with the remission application.

The remission application, form LPA120A, must be submitted with the LPA registration application. It cannot be claimed retrospectively after the full fee has been paid.

Total Cost Scenarios in 2026

Why Delaying Registration Is Risky

Many people draft an LPA with a solicitor and then delay sending it to the OPG for registration, sometimes for years. During this period, the LPA exists on paper but has no legal effect. If the donor loses mental capacity before the LPA is registered, the document cannot then be registered and the family must apply for deputyship instead.

The registration process takes 8 to 20 weeks. Even submitting the LPA promptly after signing creates a period during which the document is not yet active. Delaying submission extends this unprotected window significantly. The guidance from the OPG is clear: once the LPA is signed, register it promptly.

Comparing LPA Costs to Deputyship

The £92 registration fee is a one-time cost. Court of Protection deputyship applications start at a £371 court fee, plus professional fees that typically range from £1,500 to £3,000 for the initial application. Once appointed, deputies pay an annual OPG supervision fee of £100 to £320. The total cost differential over five years of a deputyship compared to an LPA is significant, often exceeding £5,000 at larger estates. The full comparison is in the LPA vs deputyship guide.

The step-by-step registration process, including what to send to the OPG, is covered in the How to Register an LPA UK 2026 guide. For property and financial LPA specifics, see the Property and Financial LPA complete guide.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always verify rates with official sources before making any financial decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the LPA registration fee change to £92?

The fee increased from £82 to £92 on 17 November 2025. Applications submitted to the OPG on or after that date are subject to the new fee. Applications submitted before that date, regardless of when the LPA was drafted, are subject to the fee in force at the time of submission.

Can I get a refund if I pay the full fee and then discover I qualified for remission?

No. The fee remission must be applied for at the same time as the registration application. It cannot be claimed retrospectively. If you think you may qualify, either for the full remission (benefits-based) or the 50% remission (income under £12,000), submit form LPA120A with your registration application.

Does the £92 fee apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland?

No. Scotland has its own system, continuing and welfare powers of attorney registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland), with different fees. Northern Ireland also has a separate system. The £92 fee applies only in England and Wales under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Is the LPA registration fee deductible from the estate?

The LPA registration fee is a personal cost paid by the donor or on their behalf. It is not a deductible expense for inheritance tax purposes. Executor and professional fees incurred in administering an estate may be deductible for IHT, but LPA registration fees precede death and do not form part of estate administration costs.

Can I make multiple copies of a registered LPA?

The OPG returns the original registered LPA with an official stamp. You can request certified copies directly from the OPG for a fee. Many financial institutions will accept a certified copy rather than the original. It is advisable to obtain at least two or three certified copies at the point of registration to avoid delays when presenting the LPA to banks, investment platforms, and care providers.

Sources & Verification

• Office of the Public Guardian, LPA registration fees, gov.uk/power-of-attorney/fees
• OPG, Fee change 17 November 2025, gov.uk/government/news
• OPG, Fee remission form LPA120A, gov.uk/power-of-attorney/fees
• HM Courts & Tribunals Service, Probate fees from November 2025, gov.uk/probate
• Mental Capacity Act 2005, legislation.gov.uk