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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's on this page

  1. What is a power of attorney?
  2. What can attorneys do?
  3. What can attorneys not do?
  4. How do I register a power of attorney?
  5. Ready to register?
  6. Looking for help?

What is a power of attorney?

A power of attorney is a legal document letting the 'attorney' make decisions with or on behalf of someone else – known as the ‘donor’.

The power of attorney needs to be registered with us before it can be used to manage a donor’s accounts.

Before you start

To register a power of attorney with us, you need to have the legal document that confirms you are the attorney. And with a lasting power of attorney, the document needs to be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.

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.

Understanding power of attorney

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 Nationwide Banking app
    Attorneys cannot use our Banking 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

How do I register a power of attorney?

A power of attorney  can be registered in branch or by post.  Either the donor or the attorney can do this.

Remember, a lasting power of attorney document must be stamped by the Office of the Public Guardian before you can register it with us. 

Information:

If Internet Bank access will be needed, 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.

  1. Fill in our registration form

    This form can also be used to request things like a debit card and Internet Bank access.

    Registration of power of attorney form - PDF 753KB (opens in a new window)

    Whether you register in branch or by post, you’ll need to show us the original power of attorney document or a copy certified by a professional (like a solicitor). The attorney will also need to show us proof of ID and address if they’re not already a Nationwide member. 

  2. We’ll get the attorney set up

    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.    

  3. All done

    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 working days to arrive.

Registering a lasting power of attorney?

If you have a lasting power of attorney (LPA), you can share a summary of it with us online. That means we won't need to see the original document.

The donor or attorney will need to create an access code on the government's website. Then just put that code on your registration form and we'll use it to verify the document.

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.

GOV.UK's use a lasting power of attorney service (opens in a new window)
Show transcript
00:00:05.480 --> 00:00:08.160
I'm going to take you through a brief demonstration

00:00:08.160 --> 00:00:11.760
of how to obtain a lasting power of attorney access code.

00:00:12.720 --> 00:00:15.280
This service aims to make it easier, quicker,

00:00:15.280 --> 00:00:17.240
and more convenient to register

00:00:17.240 --> 00:00:19.920
a lasting power of attorney at Nationwide.

00:00:19.920 --> 00:00:21.920
There are two sides to this service.

00:00:21.920 --> 00:00:24.920
One is for those needing to share LPA details,

00:00:24.920 --> 00:00:29.120
and the other is for those needing to view those details.

00:00:29.120 --> 00:00:32.520
The donor and all active attorneys on a registered LPA

00:00:32.520 --> 00:00:34.400
will receive login credentials

00:00:34.400 --> 00:00:37.240
to access the lasting power of attorney account

00:00:37.240 --> 00:00:38.360
if they choose.

00:00:39.280 --> 00:00:41.640
However, they'll first need to create an account

00:00:41.640 --> 00:00:43.080
by using an email address

00:00:43.080 --> 00:00:45.720
and password in order to access the portal.

00:00:47.880 --> 00:00:49.320
Once this has been created,

00:00:49.320 --> 00:00:53.000
you'll see any LPAs already added to the account

00:00:53.000 --> 00:00:55.040
under the name heading within the portal.

00:00:57.520 --> 00:01:00.120
If this is the first time you've used this service,

00:01:00.120 --> 00:01:03.240
you'll need to add the LPA by selecting the green

00:01:03.240 --> 00:01:06.200
add another LPA box at the top of the page.

00:01:07.880 --> 00:01:10.920
You'll then need to add the LPA reference number,

00:01:10.920 --> 00:01:14.520
the activation key, and their date of birth.

00:01:14.520 --> 00:01:16.760
Once you've added an LPA to your account,

00:01:16.760 --> 00:01:19.880
you'll then need to grant access to Nationwide

00:01:19.880 --> 00:01:22.320
by issuing an access code.

00:01:22.320 --> 00:01:23.760
You'll do this by selecting

00:01:23.760 --> 00:01:27.240
give an organisation access on the main page

00:01:27.240 --> 00:01:29.720
and type the name of the organisation,

00:01:29.720 --> 00:01:32.880
such as Nationwide or Nationwide Building Society.

00:01:34.800 --> 00:01:37.680
Once added, an access code will be displayed,

00:01:37.680 --> 00:01:40.480
which is then shared with Nationwide.

00:01:40.480 --> 00:01:42.960
If an access code has previously been granted,

00:01:42.960 --> 00:01:47.880
you can select check access codes to find existing ones.

00:01:47.880 --> 00:01:50.520
Remember, these are only valid for 30 days

00:01:50.520 --> 00:01:54.080
and Nationwide require at least 11 working days remaining

00:01:54.080 --> 00:01:56.000
in order to complete the registration.

00:01:57.360 --> 00:01:59.280
If your access code has less than that,

00:01:59.280 --> 00:02:03.000
you'll need to generate a new one following the steps above.

00:02:03.000 --> 00:02:05.320
Now you have your access code,

00:02:05.320 --> 00:02:06.480
pop into your local branch

00:02:06.480 --> 00:02:10.040
and complete the registration with Nationwide.

Ready to register?

Either the attorney or the account holder can register the power of attorney with us. 

You’ll need: 

  • a power of attorney document giving the attorney permission to act on the account holder’s behalf
  • a registration stamp from the Office of the Public Guardian (for lasting power of attorney documents)
  • an Office of the Public Guardian access code, if you’re using one
  • proof of ID and address.

Register in branch

Bring your completed form and documents to branch. Or we can help you complete the registration form when you visit us. 

Register by post

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   

If you register by post, we may still ask you to visit us in branch to check your documents in person. 

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.

Using a power of attorney

Understanding power of attorney

Learn more about the types of power of attorney and how they could help. 

Understanding power of attorney

Over the phone

Our specialist team are here to help.

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.  
Saturday, 9am to 12pm. 
Closed Sundays and bank holidays.

 

0800 464 30 18

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