Power of Attorney (POA)
A POA is a legal document which allows someone you trust to handle certain activities on your behalf. Eg: looking after your Post Office savings account(s).
You must be 18 or over and have mental capacity when the POA is created.
More than one attorney?
We accept POAs set up on a “joint and several” basis. This allows any of the attorneys to act on their own.
We don’t accept POAs set up on a “joint” only basis. This is because it requires all attorneys to act together for every instruction. Our systems aren’t set up to do this.
Types of POA
Lasting POA and Registered Enduring POA
These documents are formally “registered” with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG).
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The donor must have mental capacity when the LPA is created. However, an LPA is still valid if the donor loses mental capacity.
There are two types of LPA:
- Property and Financial Affairs
- Health and Welfare
You can choose one or both. We only accept LPAs that include property and financial affairs.
Unless there are any restrictions or special conditions, your attorney will have full control over your account(s). Sometimes, we can’t accept an LPA if we can’t meet the restrictions or special conditions. If this is the case, we’ll get in touch directly.
LPAs can now be issued online by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). Instead of sending us a paper copy, you or your attorney can give us an OPG access code. This lets us view the key details online. Usually that’s all we need.
We’re still happy to accept paper copies if that’s easier.
Visit Lasting power of attorney.gov.uk to find out more information.
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If you’ve an unregistered EPA and you lose mental capacity, your attorney is legally responsible for registering your EPA with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG).
Once registered, unless there are any restrictions or special conditions, your attorney will have full control over your account(s). Sometimes, we can’t accept an EPA if we can’t meet the restrictions or special conditions. If this is the case, we’ll get in touch with your attorney directly.
You can’t make a new EPA anymore (they were replaced by Lasting Power of Attorney in 2007). However, if your EPA was made before then, it’s still valid and can be registered now.
Learn more about the powers we allow your attorneys(s) to have under a registered EPA here.
You can also find more information about EPAs at Office of the Public Guardian.
Ordinary (or General) and unregistered Enduring POA (EPA)
“Unregistered” POAs are simply POAs that haven’t been registered (or don’t need to be registered) with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG).
Under these unregistered POA, we can take instructions from you or your attorney(s). Full details about the powers we allow your attorney(s) to have are available here.
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An Ordinary (or General) POA is only valid when you have mental capacity. They become invalid if you lose mental capacity. It’s the responsibility of your attorney(s) to tell us if this happens. An alternative authority is then required, to allow your attorney(s) to continue to act on your behalf.
There are two types of Ordinary POA:
- General POA – gives wide permission
- Specific POA – only works for a particular transaction or limited purpose and for a set time
Sometimes we can’t accept a POA if it contains restrictions or special conditions we’re not able to meet. If that is the case, we’ll get in touch directly.
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An unregistered EPA is only valid while you have mental capacity. It becomes invalid if you lose mental capacity. To keep using the EPA, once mental capacity has been lost, it must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG).
It’s the responsibility of your attorney(s) to tell us if you lose mental capacity.
Since the 1st of October 2007, you can’t create a new Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) as they were replaced by Lasting Power of Attorneys (LPAs) under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. If your EPA was created before 2007, it’s still acceptable and can still be registered. Find out more at the Office of the Public Guardian.
Court of Protection (or Deputyship) Order
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A Court of Protection (or Deputyship) Order is a legal arrangement that allows someone to manage your financial affairs when:
- you’ve already lost mental capacity, AND
- a valid POA isn’t already in place AND
- you’re 18 years or older
It’s granted by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). A deputy is appointed to manage your property, income, savings, and finances. Unless there are any restrictions or special conditions, your deputy will have full control over your account(s). Sometimes, we can’t accept a Deputyship Order if we can’t meet the restrictions or special conditions. If this is the case, we’ll get in touch with your deputy directly.
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We accept Deputyship Orders set up on a “joint and several” basis. This allows any of the deputies to act on their own.
We don’t accept Deputyship Orders set up on a “joint” only basis because it requires all deputies to act together for every instruction. Our systems aren’t designed to do this.
You can also find more information about Court of Protection (Deputyship) Orders at: www.gov.uk/become-deputy
Adding a Third Party Authority - Power of Attorney (POA) or Deputyship Order - to a Post Office (PO) savings account
You can add a POA or Deputyship Order:
- to existing PO savings account(s), or
- when applying for a new PO savings account (including when the applicant already holds other PO savings accounts).
When we approve a request, the POA or Deputyship Order will be added to all PO savings accounts held – including joint accounts – unless you tell us not to.
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When you apply for a new account, please make sure you read and store a copy of:
- the Summary Box,
- the general savings terms and conditions,
- the account specific terms and conditions, and
- the Depositor Guarantee Scheme Depositor Information Sheet, which explains how and when the savings are protected.
These documents explain the account’s main features and how it works, to help you decide if it’s the right account. If you have any questions or need more information, you should call us on 0800 169 7500 before applying.
- If opening a new branch savings account with POA or Deputyship use the standard branch savings application form1
- If opening a new online savings account with POA / Deputyship OR adding POA / Deputyship to existing branch or online savings accounts use the “Adding an Authority to PO savings account(s) form”
You’ll need to fill in your details and your representative’s details, then send the form to the address shown on the form.
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- An original or certified copy of the legal document (POA or Deputyship Order).
- If you’re funding a new account by cheque, include the cheque
Remember: do not send cash in the post.
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We accept certification from: Solicitor, Barrister, Notary Public, Commissioner of Oaths or UK Post Office official.
Most2 PO branches can certify your document. They’ll do this for free. But legal professionals may charge a fee.
Please note for Lasting Power of Attorney’s (LPAs) only:
- The donor can self-certify the LPA if they have mental capacity. Find more information at www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney/certify
- If you have an online LPA from the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), you can provide the OPG Access Code instead of sending the original or a certified copy. Enter the code on the form being completed when asked
- The OPG Access Code usually gives us all the information we need but we may request more if we need to
- If you’d prefer, you can still send us a certified copy or the original LPA document
If using a Post Office branch to certify your POA or Deputyship document, they’ll simply scan the barcode on your completed form or, if it’s available, in our communication to you. The branch only needs to certify the first page of your document.
Take these with you:
- The document with the barcode
- The completed form
- Every page of the POA or Deputyship document
- A full photocopy of the document (A photocopier might not be available in the branch, so it’s best to take your own photocopies)
Please make sure:
- All pages are included
- No pages are missing or duplicated
- Everything is clear and readable (i.e. nothing is crossed out or redacted)
- The copy matches the original
Power of Attorney (POA)
A POA is a legal document which allows someone you trust to handle your financial or personal affairs on your behalf. Eg: looking after your Post Office savings account(s).
You must be 16 or over and have mental capacity when the POA is created.
More than one attorney?
We accept POAs set up on a “joint and several” basis. This allows any of the attorneys to act on their own.
We don’t accept POAs set up on a “joint” only basis. This is because it requires all attorneys to act together for every instruction. Our systems aren’t set up to do this.
Continuing and Combined POAs
Before they can be used, they must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland).
We accept a Continuing POA. This allows someone to handle your money and property for you. But, we can’t accept a welfare-only POA, as it’s only for personal care decisions.
A Combined POA ‘combines’ a Continuing and Welfare POA in one document. We accept a Combined POA but will only act on the Continuing parts.
You can choose when the Continuing / Combined POA comes into effect. For example, at a set time or if you lose mental capacity.
Unless there are any restrictions or special conditions, your attorney will have full control over your account(s). Sometimes, we can’t accept a Continuing or Combined POA if we can’t meet the restrictions or special conditions. If this is the case, we’ll make contact with your attorney directly.
You can also find more information about POAs at www.publicguardian-scotland.gov.uk
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Ordinary POAs do not need to be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland). They become invalid if you lose mental capacity. It’s the responsibility of your attorney(s) to tell us if this happens. An alternative authority is then required to allow your attorney(s) to continue to act on your behalf.
We can take instructions from you or your attorney(s). Discover information about what powers we allow your attorney(s) to have here.
Ordinary POAs are usually created for a set period of time or for a specific issue. For example, if you go abroad and would like someone else to make decisions on your behalf while you’re away.
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A Guardianship Order is a legal arrangement that allows someone to manage your financial affairs when:
- you’ve already lost mental capacity, AND
- a valid POA isn’t already in place, AND
- you’re 16 years or older
It’s granted by the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland). A “Guardian” is appointed to manage your property, income, savings, and financial decisions.
Unless there are any restrictions or special conditions, your guardian will have full control over your account(s). Sometimes, we can’t accept a Guardianship Order if we can’t meet the restrictions or special conditions. If this is the case, we’ll get in touch with your guardian directly.
Learn more about what powers we allow your guardian(s) to have under a Guardianship Order here.
You’ll also find more information on Guardianship Orders at What is a guardianship order.
Adding a Third Party Authority - Power of Attorney (POA) or Guardianship Order - to a Post Office (PO) savings account
You can add a POA or Deputyship Order:
- to existing PO savings account(s), or
- when applying for a new PO savings account (including when the applicant already holds other PO savings accounts).
When we approve a request, the POA or Guardianship Order will be added to all PO savings accounts held including joint accounts, unless you tell us not to.
-
When you apply for a new account, please make sure you read and store a copy of:
- the account's Summary Box,
- the general savings terms and conditions,
- the account specific terms and conditions, and
- the Depositor Guarantee Scheme Depositor Information Sheet, which explains how and when the savings are protected.
These documents explain the account’s main features and how it works, to help you decide if it’s the right account. If you have any questions or need more information, you should call us on 0800 169 7500 before applying.
- If opening a new branch savings account with POA or Guardianship Use the standard branch savings application form1
- If opening a new online savings account with POA / Guardianship OR adding POA / Guardianship to existing branch or online savings accounts Use the Adding an Authority to PO savings account(s) form
You’ll need to fill in your details and your representative’s details, then send the form to the address shown on the form.
-
- An original or certified copy of the legal document (POA or Guardianship Order)
- If you’re funding a new account by cheque, include the cheque
Remember: do not send cash in the post.
-
We accept certification from: Solicitor, Barrister, Notary Public, Commissioner of Oaths
UK Post Office official.
Most2 PO branches can certify your document. They’ll do this for free. However, legal professionals may charge a fee.
If using a Post Office branch to certify your POA or Guardianship document, they’ll simply scan the barcode on your completed form or if it’s available in our communication to you. The branch only needs to certify the first page of your document.
Take these with you:
- The document with the barcode
- The completed form
- Every page of the POA or Guardianship document
- A full photocopy of the document (A photocopier might not be available in the branch, so it’s best to take your own photocopies)
Please make sure:
- All pages are included
- No pages are missing or duplicated
- Everything is clear and readable (ie nothing is crossed out or redacted)
- The copy matches the original exactly
Power of Attorney (POA)
A POA is a legal document which allows someone you trust to handle certain activities on your behalf. Eg: looking after your Post Office savings account(s).
You must be 18 or over and have mental capacity when the POA is created.
More than one attorney?
We accept POAs set up on a “joint and several” basis. This allows any of the attorneys to act on their own.
We don’t accept POAs set up on a “joint” only basis. This is because it requires all attorneys to act together for every instruction. Our systems aren’t set up to do this.
Types of POA
Registered Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA)
If you’ve an unregistered EPA and lose mental capacity, your attorney is legally responsible for registering your EPA with the Office of Care and Protection (OCP).
Once registered, unless there are any restrictions or special conditions, your attorney will have full control over your account(s). Sometimes, we can’t accept an EPA if we can’t meet the restrictions or special conditions. If this is the case, we’ll get in touch with your attorney directly.
Learn more about the powers we allow your attorney(s) to have under a registered EPA here.
You’ll also find more information about EPAs at Managing your affairs and enduring power of attorney | nidirect.
Ordinary (or General) and unregistered Enduring POA (EPA)
“Unregistered” POAs are simply POAs that haven’t been registered (or don’t need to be registered) with the Office of Care and Protection (OCP).
Under these unregistered POA’s, we can take instructions from you or your attorney(s). Full details about the powers we allow your attorneys(s) to have are available here.
-
An Ordinary (or General) POA is only valid when you have mental capacity. They become invalid if you lose mental capacity. It’s the responsibility of your attorney(s) to tell us if this happens. An alternative authority is then required, to allow your attorney(s) to continue to act on your behalf.
There are two types of Ordinary POA:
- General POA – gives wide permission
- Specific POA – only works for a particular transaction or limited purpose and for a set time
Sometimes we can’t accept a POA if it contains restrictions or special conditions we’re not able to meet.
-
An unregistered EPA is only valid while you have mental capacity. It becomes invalid if you lose mental capacity. To keep using the EPA, once mental capacity has been lost, it must be registered with the Office of Care and Protection (OCP).
It’s the responsibility of your attorney(s) to tell us if you lose mental capacity.
Controllership Orders
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A Controllership Order is a legal arrangement that allows someone to manage your financial affairs when:
- you’ve already lost mental capacity, AND
- a valid POA isn’t already in place.
It’s granted by the Office of Care and Protection (OCP) under the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986. A “Controller” is appointed to manage the property, income, savings, and financial decisions of the person (referred to as the "Patient").
Unless there are any restrictions or special conditions, your controller will have full control over your account(s). Sometimes, we can’t accept a Controllership Order if we can’t meet the restrictions or special conditions. If this is the case, we’ll get in touch with your controller directly.
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We accept Controllership Orders set up on a “joint and several” basis. This allows any of the Controllers to act on their own.
We don’t accept Controllership Orders set up on a “joint” only basis. This is because it requires all Controllers to act together for every instruction. Our systems aren’t set up to do this.
Discover more information at The Office of Care and Protection - Patients Section | Department of Justice or visit Managing your affairs and enduring power of attorney | nidirect.
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When we approve a request to add a POA or Controllership Order to a savings account, we’ll apply it to all the savings accounts you hold including any joint savings accounts, unless we’re told otherwise.
Adding a Third Party Authority - Power of Attorney (POA) or Controllership Order - to a Post Office (PO) savings account
You can add a POA or Deputyship Order:
- to existing PO savings account(s), or
- when applying for a new PO savings account (including when the applicant already holds other PO savings accounts).
When we approve a request, the POA or Controllership Order will be added to all PO savings accounts held including joint accounts, unless you tell us not to.
-
When you apply for a new account, please make sure you read and store a copy of:
- the account's Summary Box,
- the general savings terms and conditions,
- the account specific terms and conditions, and
- the Depositor Guarantee Scheme Depositor Information Sheet, which explains how and when the savings are protected.
These documents explain the account’s main features and how it works, to help you decide if it’s the right account. If you have any questions or need more information, you should call us on 0800 169 7500 before applying.
- If opening a new branch savings account with POA or Controllership Use the standard branch savings application form1
- If opening a new online savings account with POA / Controllership OR adding POA / Controllership to existing branch or online savings accounts Use the Adding an Authority to PO savings account(s) form
You’ll need to fill in your details and your representative’s details, then send the form to the address shown on the form.
-
- An original or certified copy of the legal document (POA or Controllership Order)
- If you’re funding a new account by cheque, include the cheque
Remember: do not send cash in the post.
-
We accept certification from: Solicitor, Barrister, Notary Public, Commissioner of Oaths
or UK Post Office official.
Most2 PO branches can certify your document. They’ll do this for free. But, legal professionals may charge a fee.
If using a Post Office branch to certify your POA or Controllership document, they’ll simply scan the barcode on your completed form or if it’s available in our communication to you. The branch only needs to certify the first page of your document.
Take these with you:
- The document with the barcode
- The completed form
- Every page of the POA or Controllership document
- A full photocopy of the document ( A photocopier might not be available in the branch, so it’s best to take your own photocopies)
Please make sure:
- All pages are included
- No pages are missing or duplicated
- Everything is clear and readable (i.e. nothing is crossed out or redacted)
- The copy matches the original exactly
Driving abroad
Driving to aid Ukraine
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No, you don’t need to inform us and you’ll continue to be covered.
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No. Our motor insurance policies give you a minimum of third party liability cover for the length of the policy, so you don't need to contact us. But it's important to check what cover limits and exclusions your insurance policy has.
It's also a good idea to check the current rules on cross-border transport of goods. This way, you'll know exactly what you can take and where. You must also follow any travel advice issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
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Please call us to discuss your travel plans and we’ll be able to tell you if you need extra cover if you leave the Green Card Free Circulations Area countries.
The Green Card Free Circulation Area (GCFCA) comprises all 30 European Economic Area (EEA) countries as well as the UK, Andorra, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and Switzerland.
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No, our motor insurance policies don't cover driving in Ukraine. It's important to remember that damage or injury caused by war and conflict are common exclusions in motor insurance policies. Please read your insurance documents to check what you're covered for.
Driving abroad after Brexit
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On 30 June 2021, the EU Commission announced their decision to waive the need to travel with a green card for vehicles and towed caravans and trailers when driving in the EU and EEA from 2 August 2021 onwards.
This means you DO NOT need a green card for driving your vehicle and towing a caravan or trailer in the following countries: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden or Switzerland.
You may need a green card to drive your vehicle and tow a caravan or trailer in the following countries: Albania, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Iran, Israel, Moldova, Morocco, Russia, Tunisia, Turkey or Ukraine.
