Register a Guardianship (missing persons) order
If you already have a GMPO, you’ll need to register it with us before you can use it.
Guardianship (missing persons) order
A guardianship (missing persons) order (GMPO) is a court-appointed document that lets someone take care of the property and finances of a person who’s been missing for an extended period of time.
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The Guardianship (Missing Persons) Act 2017 lets a court appoint a trusted person to be the guardian of a missing person’s property and finances. The court does this by making a GMPO.
Visit the government website to find out how to apply to manage a missing person's finances and property.
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You can apply to be a guardian if you’re a relative of the missing person and you’re over 18.
Being someone’s guardian comes with responsibilities and rules on what you must or mustn’t do – anything you do must be in the person’s best interests. It’s important that you understand your responsibilities as a guardian.
You can apply with others if needed.
You’ll need to specify how you’ll act to make decisions. We explain the two options available for this below.
Solely
One guardian can choose to act independently (or solely). They can manage the missing person’s account in Telephone Banking and Online Banking, and have a debit card for their account.
Jointly
If there’s more than one guardian, all guardians will need to be present to carry out a transaction and they won’t be able to manage the missing person’s account using Telephone Banking or Online Banking, or have a debit card for their account.
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A guardian can manage the missing person’s property and finances, which includes
- Managing a current account in Telephone Banking and Online Banking (only if they’ve been appointed to act solely)
- Using a debit card for the account (only if they’ve been appointed to act solely)
- Signing cheques
- Having statements sent to their address
- Updating correspondence address details
- Adding, removing and cancelling standing orders and Direct Debits
- Opening and closing accounts
If guardians are appointed to act jointly, they must make decisions together unanimously.
Guardians should keep accounts of the donor’s assets, income, spending and outgoings. The Office of the Public Guardian can ask to check these records. Those accounts should include copies of bank statements for the period they’ve been acting – we can help with this.
When the court issues a GMPO, it may add restrictions or clauses to the way the guardian can act. It‘s the guardian‘s responsibility to follow these.
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Register with us
Online
You can submit your Guardianship Missing Persons Order (GMPO) details and documents online using the form below.
You will need to have a certified copy of your legal document (see Information section below).
You will also need this link if you have already been to see us and need to upload your legal documents.
Information
You can certify a document as a true copy of the original by getting it signed and dated by a professional person.
A certified copy should be certified by a professional person or someone well-respected in the community (“of good standing”).
These may include:
- Bank or building society official
- Councillor
- Minister of religion
- Dentist or doctor
- Chartered accountant
- Solicitor or notary
- Teacher or lecturer
- Post Office (Document Certification Service)
- Member of Parliament, or Scottish/Welsh/Northern Ireland Assembly Member
- Serving police officer
- Social worker
- Embassy, consulate, or high commission officer in the country of issue
The certifier should not be related to, living at the same address as or in a relationship with the person who is the subject matter of the certified copy.
Special rules may apply to the certified copy, particularly if the original is issued outside the UK or by a non-UK party.
Come and see us
You may prefer to come and see us to register your Guardianship Missing Persons Order (GMPO). You can book an appointment with us at a branch or Barclays local using the links below.
If you do not already bank with us, you will need identity documents such as a passport or a photocard driving licence.
If there is more than one guardian, they can do this separately, at different times and in different branches. If they are acting ‘Jointly’ we’ll only set up access once they’ve all visited us.
Your appointment will last for about an hour.
Call us for more options
If you are having difficulty using the online form and you are unable to come and see us, you can call us on 0345 075 74751 and choose option 1.
We will explain your options to register your authority and what you need to send us.
If you do not already bank with us, you will need identity documents such as a passport or a photocard driving licence.
You will also need a smartphone or tablet to verify your identity. If this is not an option, then you can verify by visiting a branch.
Documents you will need
ID if you already bank with us:
You will find more information about what documentation will be needed on our identifications page.
If you are coming to see us in branch or in one of our Local sites and have a debit card, you will need to bring it with you and know your PIN.
ID if you do not already bank with us:
We will need you to verify your identity before we can register your authority. You can do this by using the Barclays app (verify your identity).
If you cannot verify your identity using the Barclays app, you can come and see us and bring documentation. You will find more information about what documentation will be needed on our identifications page.
Legal documents
You will need to have the full original or certified legal document, not just the summary page. This can be several pages long, so please make sure you have all the pages.
What happens next
Once we receive everything we need, we will aim to set up your access within 10 working days. If we need anything else from you, we will get in touch by email or phone.
When it is set up, we will send you a letter to confirm that you have access, along with anything else you asked for, such as Online and Telephone Banking details or debit cards.
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The type of authority you have will affect how you can manage the person’s accounts once you’re registered with us. Depending on whether you have power of attorney, a Court of Protection order or third-party authority, you’ll have access to these features.
Feature If you’re appointed to act ‘solely’ If you’re appointed to act ‘jointly’ Debit card Online Banking Telephone Banking Barclays app Manned counter in branch All guardians must be together Self-service machines in branch Cheque book (only available if the person has lost mental capacity)
All guardians must sign together Using Telephone Banking
If you have a question or need to make a transfer but can’t visit a branch, call our Telephone Banking team on 0345 734 53452 (+44 24 7684 21001 if you’re abroad). You’ll need your Telephone Banking membership number and passcode when you call – we’ll have sent you this in a letter when you registered with us.
Logging in to Online Banking
Our handy Banking from home guide explains how to make transfers and manage payments.
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If you already bank with us
- Log in using the membership details for your own account
- To switch between your accounts and the person’s accounts you’re managing, select ‘Switch customer’ in the help bar or go to ‘Profile’ and select the person’s name at the bottom of the dropdown box
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If you’re new to Barclays and logging in for the first time
- If you’re eligible and chose to manage your accounts with Online Banking when you registered with us, we’ll have sent you a membership number and passcode
- Go to our log in page, and enter your surname and 12-digit membership number
- Enter your 5-digit passcode and create a memorable word that contains both letters and a number, then select ‘Log in’
- You’ll then see the name of the person you’re linked to. Select the person whose account you want to manage, then ‘Manage’
Third-party authority
A third-party authority is a temporary arrangement between you and someone you trust to access your bank accounts with us on your behalf.
Power of attorney
A power of attorney (PoA) is a legal document that lets a person make decisions about property and finances on someone else’s behalf. The process of setting it up can be complicated, and it’s often needed at a difficult time, which is why we’re here to support you in any way we can.
Court of Protection order
A Court of Protection (CoP) order is a legal document that lets a person (the ‘deputy’, in legal documentation) make decisions about property and finances on behalf of someone who, due to mental incapacity, can no longer make those decisions themselves (the ‘donor’). The process of setting it up can be complicated, and it’s often needed at a difficult time, which is why we’re here to support you in any way we can.
Appointeeship
An appointeeship lets someone manage someone else’s government benefits and claims.
