Register a power of attorney
You need to register a power of attorney with us before it can be used to manage a donor’s accounts.
What to do before you start your registration
To register a power of attorney with us, you need to have the legal document that confirms you are the attorney.
Please check you have the right type of power of attorney set up for you and the donor’s needs. If you don't have the document yet, you can find out more about the types of power of attorney and how to set one up in our guide. You can also follow the guidance on the Government website.
Register a lasting power of attorney (LPA) with the Office of the Public Guardian
You need to register the lasting power of attorney with the Office of the Public Guardian (opens in new window) before you can start acting as an attorney. Registration can take several weeks.
Once you have been registered, your power of attorney document will be stamped by the Office of the Public Guardian.
You will then be able to create an account on the Government’s LPA service so that you are able to view and manage your LPA online.
Create an LPA access code
The Government's online service also lets the donor or attorney create an LPA access code, so that the LPA can be shared securely online with us. This means you don’t have to show us the original document.
The LPA access code typically starts with a ‘V’ and is only valid for 30 days.
You can only use this option if the LPA was registered with the Office of the Public Guardian on or after 1 January 2016. If it was registered before then, we’ll need to see a paper copy.
We've made a quick 2-minute video that explains how to create the code.
Show transcript
I'm going to take you through a brief demonstration
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of how to obtain a lasting power of attorney access code.
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This service aims to make it easier, quicker,
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and more convenient to register
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a lasting power of attorney at Nationwide.
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There are two sides to this service.
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One is for those needing to share LPA details,
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and the other is for those needing to view those details.
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The donor and all active attorneys on a registered LPA
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will receive login credentials
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to access the lasting power of attorney account
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if they choose.
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However, they'll first need to create an account
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by using an email address
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and password in order to access the portal.
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Once this has been created,
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you'll see any LPAs already added to the account
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under the name heading within the portal.
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If this is the first time you've used this service,
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you'll need to add the LPA by selecting the green
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add another LPA box at the top of the page.
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You'll then need to add the LPA reference number,
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the activation key, and their date of birth.
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Once you've added an LPA to your account,
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you'll then need to grant access to Nationwide
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by issuing an access code.
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You'll do this by selecting
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give an organisation access on the main page
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and type the name of the organisation,
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such as Nationwide or Nationwide Building Society.
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Once added, an access code will be displayed,
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which is then shared with Nationwide.
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If an access code has previously been granted,
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you can select check access codes to find existing ones.
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Remember, these are only valid for 30 days
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and Nationwide require at least 11 working days remaining
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in order to complete the registration.
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If your access code has less than that,
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you'll need to generate a new one following the steps above.
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Now you have your access code,
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pop into your local branch
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and complete the registration with Nationwide.
How to register a power of attorney with Nationwide
The quickest way to register a power of attorney with us is online. You can also register in branch, or by post.
Information:
If you need internet bank access, check our manage the donor's money using the internet bank page.
There might be some things that can be done before registering the power of attorney with us that will save some time.
Documents to register the power of attorney with us.
You’ll need:
- your LPA access code. Or,
- the original power of attorney document, that has been stamped by the Office of Public Guardian
- proof of ID and address.
Register online
If you are the attorney, you can complete our form online. At the end of completing the form, you will be asked to tell us the LPA access code. Or you can upload a clear photo or scan of your power of attorney document if you don't have a code.
If you are uploading a photo or scan of your document it must:
- be a true copy of the original
- have every page included
- not exceed 20mb and all details must be clearly visible.
We use Docusign to record this information securely.
Note:
Only attorneys with a UK address can complete the form online. For attorneys with a non UK address, please call us on 0800 464 3018 for support.
Register in branch or by post
If you are an attorney or donor you can download and fill in this form to register in branch or by post.
If registering in branch, bring your completed form and documents. Or branch staff can help you complete the registration form when you visit us.
If you choose to register by post, send your completed registration form and copies of all documents to:
POA Administration Team
Specialist Customer Support
Nationwide Building Society
Swindon
SN38 3FN
What happens after you have registered with us
It takes us up to 11 working days to register someone as an attorney. Any documents sent to us will be returned once registration is complete.
If an attorney has asked for internet bank access but can’t receive text messages, we may ask them to visit us in branch to set up online access.
When we have completed our registration process, we’ll send confirmation of registration by post. We'll send any other items requested separately, like chequebooks or debit cards. They can take up to another 5 days to arrive.
What can attorneys do?
As long as they're acting in line with the power of attorney document, they can:
Manage money and accounts
An attorney can manage money on behalf of the account holder. This includes checking statements, making payments, opening and closing accounts, or switching an existing current account to us. They just need to call us or visit their local branch.Speak to us directly
If there is a question about the accounts, the attorney can speak to us on behalf of the account holder. So decisions can be made quickly and easily.Choose account access options
The attorney can choose who has a chequebook, request a debit card and request internet bank access. With internet bank access, they can also make payments and transfers and view transactions without coming into a branch.Attorneys can also choose where account correspondence is sent, including statements. We may only be able to send correspondence to one person on the account – either the donor or the attorney. If there’s more than one attorney, we may only be able to send correspondence to one of them. Any of the attorneys can get copies of statements in the internet bank if they have access, or in a branch.
Information:
If a lasting power of attorney is being registered with us and the account holder has lost mental capacity, there are a few things we can do for an attorney. But it depends on what is permitted in the power of attorney document and whether they're acting ‘jointly’ with another attorney.
Unless there are limits or restrictions in the power of attorney document, we can cancel the account holder’s cards, chequebooks and online access if an attorney requests this. We can also send statements to the attorney.
What can attorneys not do?
When acting as an attorney with us, we do not allow them to:
Apply for credit
Attorneys cannot apply for credit cards, overdrafts and loans or increase existing credit limits on behalf of someone else. But you can pay off existing debt and manage mortgage payments.Access some types of accounts
We generally cannot register a deputy on e-loans or certain savings accounts such as Smart Accounts, Portfolio, Investor, Treasurers’ Trust, Junior ISA and Child Trust Funds.Use telephone banking for payments or transfers
They can call us to ask questions about the account, but attorneys cannot transact over the phone.Use the app
Attorneys cannot use our app, but you may be able to use our internet bank.Use the internet bank if:
- the power of attorney document limits what can be done on behalf of the account holder
- they don’t have their own Nationwide account that can be managed online. But they can open an account, which would then allow them to request internet bank access
- they’re not personally named as an attorney in the document (they can’t be a business or other organisation)
- they’re acting ‘jointly’ with one or more attorneys. Acting 'jointly' means all decisions must be made together
- they don’t have a UK address.
More information on getting internet bank access as an attorney
Looking for help?
Already acting as an attorney?
We’ve put together a guide to help you manage someone else’s money as simply as possible.
Understanding power of attorney
Learn more about the types of power of attorney and how they could help.
Over the phone
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Saturday, 9am to 12pm.
Closed Sundays and bank holidays.