Power of Attorney, Court of Protection Deputy Order and Guardianship Order

Set up a Power of Attorney
Apply for a Court of Protection Deputy Order
Apply for a Guardianship Order
Register one of these legal documents with us
What are these legal documents?
Do you need legal support?

When someone isn’t able to look after their finances themselves, another person can be put in charge of the finances.

Power of Attorney, Court of Protection Deputy Orders and Guardianship Orders are legal documents which give someone this power to manage someone else’s finances.

Set up a Lasting Power of Attorney

You can only set up a Power of Attorney whilst the account holder has mental capacity. Only the account holder can set up a Power of Attorney.

Before applying, you should:

You can:

Apply for a Court of Protection Deputy Order

You can only apply to become someone's deputy if they lack mental capacity to make decisions about their financial affairs and they have not previously appointed an Attorney under a Lasting Power of Attorney.

Before applying, you should:

You can:

If you just need to help someone deal with their benefits, you can instead apply to be an appointee.

Apply for a Guardianship Order

You can only apply to become someone’s guardian when they have gone missing, are in prison abroad and cannot communicate, or have been taken hostage or been kidnapped.

Before applying, you should:

Apply for a Guardianship Order

Register a Power of Attorney, Court of Protection Deputy Order or Guardianship Order with us

Prepare these documents

You'll need to gather the following documents to provide to us.

Power of Attorney, Court of Protection or Guardianship Order document

We need an original or a certified copy. If sending a copy, make sure the document is certified on every page.

How to certify a copy of your Power of Attorney, Court of Protection Deputy Order or Guardianship Order

Power of Attorney, Court of Protection and Guardianship form

We need this completed form, with details about the account holder and the attorney, deputy or guardian(s), in order to process access to the bank account.

Power of Attorney, Court of Protection and Guardianship registration form (PDF)

Proof of identity and address

We need one proof of ID and one proof of address (these should be two separate documents, and you can use either originals or certified copies):

  • If you’re an attorney or deputy, you only need to provide these documents for yourself
  • If you’re a guardian, you need to provide these documents for yourself, and for the account holder the guardianship is being registered for – we need one proof of ID and one proof of address (two separate documents) for each person.

What identity documents you can provide and how to certify a copy of your documents

Bring the documents to us in branch

You can book an appointment to bring the documents into a Co-operative Bank branch. We should be able to process simple cases on the same day.

Click on the relevant heading below to book an appointment.

Call +44 (0)3457 212 212 call charges

Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 5pm.

Call +44 (0)800 132 304 call charges

Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, and Saturday, 9am to 12pm.

Post the documents to us

You can post the documents to us. Once we've received your documents by post, we'll aim to scan and post them back to you by recorded delivery within 10 days.

If possible, use a trackable delivery service. These are important documents that can be difficult and time-consuming to replace.

Click on the relevant heading below to see the postal address.

Power of Attorney team
The Co-operative Bank
PO Box 200
Delf House
Skelmersdale
WN8 6YS

Guardianship Team
The Co-operative Bank
PO Box 200
Delf House
Skelmersdale
WN8 6NY

Guardianship Team
Britannia
Newton House
Leek
Staffordshire
ST13 5RL

What happens when we receive the documents?

Once we receive all of the completed documents, we'll begin to register the order. This will take up to 10 working days.

We'll send confirmation of the registration in writing to the account holder, and the attorney, deputy or guardian. We may also call the account holder, and the attorney, deputy or guardian, to confirm they have been registered.

What’s the difference between these legal documents?

The name of the legal document
Who the document can relate to
When the document will be in effect
Who can apply for the document
What the person put in charge of the finances is referred to as
The name of the legal document Lasting Power of Attorney
Who the document can relate to A person who currently has mental capacity
When the document will be in effect From when the document is registered with the Office of the Public Guardian
Who can apply for the document The person whose finances will be looked after
What the person put in charge of the finances is referred to as The attorney
The name of the legal document Court of Protection Deputy Order
Who the document can relate to A person who does not have mental capacity
When the document will be in effect From when the order is made effective by a Court Order
Who can apply for the document The person who will look after the finances, or a court
What the person put in charge of the finances is referred to as The deputy
The name of the legal document Guardianship Order
Who the document can relate to A person who is missing, in prison abroad, or has been kidnapped
When the document will be in effect From when the document is created, and for as long as the person is missing
Who can apply for the document The person who will look after the finances
What the person put in charge of the finances is referred to as The guardian

What is mental capacity?

Having mental capacity means being able to make your own decisions. Someone may not have mental capacity for many reasons, including:

  • A serious brain injury
  • An illness such as dementia
  • Severe learning disabilities.

What can an attorney, deputy or guardian do?

Once legally appointed, the attorney, deputy or guardian can view and manage the existing accounts of the person the document is registered for. This will include being able to:

  • View balances
  • Pay bills
  • Withdraw cash
  • Make transfers
  • Register for telephone banking
  • Apply for accounts.

A guardian will also be able to manage the property of the person the document is registered for.

Do you need legal support?

We’ve partnered with Co-op Legal Services, who provide advice and regulated legal support for:

  • Will writing and estate planning
  • Probate and estate administration.

Learn more about legal support available

Not found what you're looking for?

Contact our support team