Certificates of registration
We offer a clerical and on-line electronic power of attorney (PoA) registration service. The on-line service is known as EPOAR (Electronic Power of Attorney Registration). After registration we provide a certificate of registration.
What does the certificate look like?
There are 2 versions of this certificate. Both certificates are equally valid and will include a copy of the PoA document bringing about the registration.
- The certificate attached to a clerical registration carries an embossed red seal.
- The EPOAR certificate looks different to the clerically produced one. This certificate has a crest watermark running through it, as will each page of the PoA.
It is important that the downloaded documents are certified immediately as being a true copy of the original by either;
- the granter of the PoA,
- a solicitor,
- a stockbroker or
- a person authorised for the purposes of the Legal Services Act 2007.
EPOAR – On-line Verification
Anyone presented with an EPOAR certificate can go on-line and verify the detail should they wish to do so. The address is:
https://epoar.publicguardian-scotland.gov.uk
- There is no need to register to use this service
- There is no fee for using this service
- To access the relevant information, the end user needs to have the certificate of registration in front of them
What to look out for in a PoA document
There is no standard layout, but the first page of the PoA usually holds all of the key personal details. Look out for the following:
- The name of the person granting the PoA
- The names of the attorneys i.e. the appointed person or persons
- The details specifying how the attorneys are to act. When more than one attorney is appointed, they may need to make decisions together and / or separately
- The type of power being granted i.e. continuing (financial and property) powers and / or personal welfare powers
- A statement confirming when the attorney’s authority is to start. Some PoAs will commence immediately other PoAs will begin when a specific event has occurred e.g. incapacity
- The individual specific powers given to attorneys will be stated in the PoA