Power of Attorney partial refunds

If you applied to register a Lasting Power of Attorney or an Enduring Power of Attorney between 1st April 2013 and 31st March 2017 you can apply to get a partial refund of the registration fee you paid from the Office of Public Guardian (OPG).

The Ministry of Justice, which sets the OPG fees, has launched a scheme on the 1st February 2018 to refund those who may have paid more than they should for applying to register powers of attorney

During the above period the (OPG) operating costs reduced as more people applied to register powers of attorney and the process became more efficient, but during this time the registration fee was not reduced.  The Ministry of Justice lowered the application fee from £110 to £82 on the 1st April 2017.  The Ministry of Justice refund scheme allows those who paid a higher fee when costs were reducing to claim a partial refund.

You are entitled to make the claim if you are:

• the donor – the person who made the power of attorney
• an attorney – the person appointed by the donor by the Lasting Power of Attorney or Enduring Power of Attorney.

The refund must be paid to the donor.

How much you get depends on when you paid your fees.  You are also entitled to 0.5% interest.

Full guidance for those applying is available online, and there is a dedicated refunds service helpline for those who need it. Call OPG’s contact centre on 0300 456 0300 and select option 6 to be put through to the refunds team.

Lines are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 5pm and Wednesday from 10am to 5pm.