Register a power of attorney
If you already have a PoA set up, you’ll need to register it with us before you can use it.
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.
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A PoA is a legal document that gives someone (the ‘attorney’, in legal documentation) the authority to make decisions about property and finances on behalf of someone else (the ‘donor’). In some cases, what the attorney can and can’t do will depend on the donor’s ability to make decisions about their finances.
There are different types of PoA, which we’ll explain in detail. If you want to register a PoA with us, it needs to relate to property and financial affairs.
For all types of power of attorney
Temporary support
General power of attorney (GPA), sometimes known as an ordinary power of attorney, is suitable to give someone the ability to help manage your finances for a short amount of time – for example, if you go to hospital or travel overseas.
You may also want to consider other options to make sure you make the right choice for your circumstances.
Long-term support
Lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a longer-term solution, if you need help managing your finances on a permanent basis. You can apply for a LPA on the government’s website gov.uk, using paper forms or by seeking independent legal advice.
To be used, you’ll need to register the LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian. We strongly suggest you do this as soon as you’ve done the paperwork to avoid delays or finding errors when you need the LPA. Once you have, you’ll still remain in full control of your money until you’re no longer able – it can be used even if you were to lose mental capacity.
Enduring power of attorney (EPA) was replaced by LPA in 2007. If you have an EPA that was signed before 1 October 2007, you can still use it.
If you lose your mental capacity, the EPA must be registered with the Office of Public Guardian.
Scottish power of attorney
If you live in Scotland, there’s a Scottish Office of the Public Guardian that offers
- Continuing power of attorney, giving attorneys the authority to deal with finances and property
- Welfare power of attorney, giving attorneys the power to make decisions about health or personal welfare matters. You can’t use this with a bank or building society
- Combined power of attorney, giving attorneys both continuing and welfare rights
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As attorneys will be making decisions for you, you should choose people you trust, such as family members, close friends or a professional (such as a solicitor).
When deciding who to appoint, we recommend you read about an attorney’s responsibilities.
You can name more than one attorney to act on your behalf, but you’ll need to decide whether you’d like them to act ‘jointly’ or ‘jointly and severally.’ This will affect how they manage your account – see below for details.
Jointly and severally
Attorneys can choose to act independently or together. They can manage your account in Telephone and Online Banking, and have a debit card for your account.
Jointly
All attorneys will need to be present to carry out a transaction and they won’t be able to manage your account using Telephone Banking or Online Banking, or have a debit card for your account.
If you have more than one attorney, but one decides they can no longer act, becomes bankrupt, mentally incapable or dies, the PoA will no longer be valid.
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They can manage a donor’s affairs. This includes
- Money and bills
- Bank and building society accounts
- Property and investments
- Pensions and benefits
Attorneys should keep accounts of the donor’s assets, income, spending and outgoings. The Office of the Public Guardian and the Court of Protection (if applicable) 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 a donor is setting up the Power of Attorney, they may add restrictions or clauses to the way the attorney can act. For example, a PoA might say that the attorney isn’t allowed to act until the donor has lost mental capacity or that they can only act on a specified account.
It‘s the attorney‘s responsibility to follow any restrictions. We can help with this – call us on 0345 075 74751 and choose option 1.
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Register with us
Make an appointment
- The best way to register a PoA with us is by an appointment in a branch. This way we can answer any questions you might have there and then
- Only the attorneys need to attend – the donor doesn’t. If there’s more than one attorney, they can do this separately, at different times and in different branches. If they’re acting ‘Jointly’ we’ll only set up access once they’ve all visited us
- Appointments generally last around an hour
Find your nearest branch.
Please see below for the documents the attorneys will need for their appointment.
If you can’t visit a branch
Please call 0345 075 74752 and choose option 1. We’ll explain the registration process, send you a submission form and let you know what we need you to send us.
If you don’t already bank with us, you’ll need ID documents such as a passport or photocard driving licence. You’ll also need to have access to a smartphone or tablet, as we’ll ask you to (verify your identity) using the Barclays app.
Documents you’ll need for a branch appointment
ID
If you already bank with us and have a debit card, you’ll need to bring it with you and know your PIN.
If you don’t already bank with us, we’ll need you to verify your identity before your appointment using the Barclays app (verify your identity). If you can’t use the app, don’t worry, you’ll just need to bring your ID and proof of identity to your appointment. Please check our identifications page to see what you’ll need.
Documents
We’ll need to see the full original or certified legal document, not just the summary page. This can be several pages long, so please make sure you bring it all.
For new lasting powers of attorney, we might be able to accept your access code instead of the full document, if you’ve used the Office of the Public Guardian’s ‘Use LPA’ service. Codes last 30 days, so make sure it hasn’t expired. There are exclusions – for example, we’ll still need the full document if the donor has specified any preferences and instructions.
What happens next
Once we receive everything we need, we’ll aim to set up their access within 10 working days. If we need anything else from you, we’ll get in touch by email or phone.
When it’s set up, we’ll 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 ‘jointly and severally’ If you’re appointed to act ‘jointly’ Debit card Online Banking Telephone Banking Barclays app Manned counter in branch All attorneys must be together Self-service machines in branch Cheque book (only available if the person has lost mental capacity)
All attorneys 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 53451 (+44 24 7684 21003 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.
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
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’
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The Office of the Public Guardian has a support line that anyone can contact if they have any concerns about an attorney. More details can be found at gov.uk/report-concern-about-attorney-deputy.
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.
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.
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.
Appointeeship
An appointeeship lets someone manage someone else’s government benefits and claims.