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Power of Attorney

Caring for someone vulnerable

Power of Attorney

Please note

This guide uses Scottish Power of Attorney terms. If you are applying for Power of Attorney anywhere else in the UK, the term 'granter' should be replaced with 'donor'.

On this page

What is a Power of Attorney? Open in new window

Types of attorney Open in new window

What can an attorney do? Open in new window

Frequently asked questions Open in new window

Additional support Open in new window

Register a Power of Attorney

You can register a Power of Attorney (POA) in three ways:

Online – simple, secure and you can do it from home
In a branch
While living overseas

If there is more than one attorney and they are appointed to act jointly, you must add them all at the same time.

Each attorney needs to fill in their own form.

After we confirm your identity and receive all documents, we’ll process your application within 10 working days (UK residents).

Get ready to apply online

Follow these three steps

Step 1: Complete the eForm

Fill in the application to Add a Power of Attorney to an account eForm

Step 2 : Email your documents

Send your POA document to powerofattorney@natwest.com
Add the granter's sort code and account number in the email subject line. If these are missing, we can't process your request

Other documents you may need to give us:

Photo of all attorneys signatures if they:

Act together (jointly), or
Act in a professional role

Proof of lack of mental capacity

If the POA says the attorney can act only if the granter loses mental capacity, we need proof
This can be a statement signed by the attorney
If the POA document asks for a specific type of proof, like a certificate from a doctor, we will need that exact type of proof

Signed letter from the other joint account holder
If you’re being added to a joint account, we need a signed letter from the other person on the account.

The letter must confirm they agree for you to be added as an attorney

You don’t need this if:

You are the other joint account holder, or
You already have Power of Attorney for both account holders

Important:

We can't accept General Power of Attorney documents online

File rules:

Images must be 10 MB or less
Save documents as PDF

Step 3: Confirm your identity

Once we get your eForm and POA document, you'll get an email from our trusted security partner, Mitek.

To confirm your identity:

Take a selfie
Upload photo ID
Upload proof of address (if asked)

Proof of identity we accept when applying online

Valid passport
Full UK driving licence
EU/EEA driving licence
EU/EEA national identity card
UK provisional driving licence

Proof of address we can accept when applying online

Full UK driving licence (if not being used for proof of identity)
UK provisional driving licence (if not being used for proof of identity)
Bank statement (if using a NatWest Group statement, must be different from brand you're applying for -dated within last 6 months)
Credit Union statement (dated within last 6 months)
Mortgage statement/Solicitor mortgage correspondence (dated within last 12 months)
HMRC letter (notice of tax code or national insurance confirmation letter)
Benefit agency documents (dated within last 12 months)
Utility bill (dated within last 6 months)
Council tax bill (dated within last 12 months)

See more details on proof of identification and proof of address on our caring for someone vulnerable page.

Registering a Power of Attorney in a branch

Here's what you need to know

Before you visit

No appointment needed
The account holder (granter) does not need to come with you
The branch can register your POA as long as you bring the right documents

What to bring

The original POA document registered with the Office of Public Guardian or your LPA code
Proof of identity
Proof of address

Other documents you may need to give us:

Proof of lack of mental capacity

If the POA says the attorney can act only if the granter loses mental capacity, we need proof
This can be a statement signed by the attorney
If the POA document asks for a specific type of proof, like a certificate from a doctor, we will need that exact type of proof

Signed letter from the other joint account holder
If you’re being added to a joint account, we need a signed letter from the other person on the account.

The letter must confirm they agree for you to be added as an attorney

You don’t need this if:

You are the other joint account holder, or
You already have Power of Attorney for both account holders

Proof of identity we accept when applying in branch

Valid passport
Full UK driving licence
UK provisional driving licence
Military ID card
EU/EEA national ID card
EU/EEA driving licence
Biometric residence permit
e-Visa

If you don’t have any of the documents listed above, we can accept these instead:

Benefits letter from the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP), Jobcentre Plus or Universal Credit
- Must be dated within the last 12 months and show the benefit is still valid
- If it doesn’t confirm ongoing benefit, it must be dated within the last 3 months
- Can only be used if not already used as proof of address
NI electoral office ID Card
OAP / Concessionary travel pass (only accepted with certain address documents)
HMRC letter: notice of tax coding for previous or current tax year, or national insurance confirmation letter

Proof of address we accept when applying in branch

Bank statement (if using a NatWest Group statement, must be different from brand you're applying for -dated within last 6 months)
Council tax bill (dated within last 12 months)
Utility bill/statement (dated within last 6 months)
Mortgage statement/Solicitor mortgage correspondence (dated within last 12 months)
Local council/ Housing authority tenancy agreement
Credit Union statement (dated within last 6 months)
Full UK driving licence (if not being used for proof of identity)
UK provisional driving licence (if not being used for proof of identity)
HMRC letter (notice of tax code or national insurance confirmation letter)

If you don’t have any of the documents listed above, we can accept a benefits letter from the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP), Jobcentre Plus or Universal Credit.

The letter must be dated within the last 12 months and show that the benefit is still valid.
If the letter does not confirm ongoing benefit, it must be dated within the last 3 months.
This can only be used if it is not already being used as proof of identity.

See more details on proof of identification and proof of address on our caring for someone vulnerable page.

Find a branch near you

Use our Branch locator to find your nearest branch

Registering a Power of Attorney whilst living abroad

If you live outside the UK and have a valid UK Power of Attorney, you can register it with us.

Here's what you need to know:

What to do

Complete the form
Fill in the Add Power of Attorney to an Account (PDF, 105 KB)
Post your documents
Send the form and documents to:

NatWest
1 Hardman Boulevard
Manchester
M3 3AQ
United Kingdom

What you need to include

Send certified copies of:

Your full POA document
Proof of identity (valid passport)
Proof of address

Other documents you may need to give us:

Proof of lack of mental capacity

If the POA says the attorney can act only if the granter loses mental capacity, we need proof
This can be a statement signed by the attorney
If the POA document asks for a specific type of proof, like a certificate from a doctor, we will need that exact type of proof

Signed letter from the other joint account holder
If you’re being added to a joint account, we need a signed letter from the other person on the account.

The letter must confirm they agree for you to be added as an attorney

You don’t need this if:

You are the other joint account holder, or
You already have Power of Attorney for both account holders

Consent to share your documents with our translation partner, Language Line.

Include written consent if your documents are not in English.

Important:

Each copy must be certified by a bank or solicitor in the country you are living in.
Each document must show the certifier’s name, job title, address, phone number, and email.
POA documents must follow UK law. Include all parts of the document, including certificates.

How long it takes

It can take up to six weeks after we receive your documents. Extra checks may be needed.

Proof of identity we accept whilst living abroad

Valid passport (temporary passports are not acceptable)

Proof of address we accept whilst living abroad

Bank statement (dated within 6 months)
Utility bill (dated within 6 months)

We cannot accept:

Mobile phone or mobile internet bills
TV licence
Delivery bills for oil, coal, logs, etc.

What is a Power of Attorney?

A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that lets someone make decisions for you if you cannot or do not want to make them yourself. The person who gives this permission is called the granter. The person who receives it is called an attorney.

Attorneys are often family members or close friends. However, professionals such as solicitors or local authorities can also act as attorneys.

You can set up a POA for a short time, such as when you are in hospital, or for the long term, for example if you become ill and cannot make decisions.

To learn more about Power of Attorney, visit Age UK using the link below.

Visit Age UK Open in new window

Types of Power of Attorney

Depending on what you need and where you live, there are different types of Power of Attorney you should think about. Details on these different types is shown below.

Continuing Power of Attorney

A person making a continuing POA (the granter) must have mental capacity to do so. A continuing POA gives powers over the granter’s property and financial affairs and must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland) before it is valid and can be used. The granter will decide the powers given to the attorney. This may include things like:

Selling property.
Mortgages.
Paying bills.
Investments.
Dealing with and managing bank accounts.
Arranging and paying for repairs to property.

For more information on Scottish Power of Attorney visit the Scottish Office of the Public Guardian site.

General or Ordinary Power of Attorney

A general Power of Attorney (GPA) gives an attorney the legal authority to act for someone while they are mentally capable. This might include:

Selling their home.
Paying the mortgage.
Making investments.
Paying bills.
Arranging repairs to their home.

The granter may be in hospital or away from home for a while. They can limit the attorney's power to only deal with certain things like their bank account. Usually, if someone loses mental capacity a GPA will no longer be accepted, except if the GPA was registered between the 1st of January 1991 and the 1st of April 2001.

For GPA documents that are more than a year old we will need to check with the granter that they are still valid.

When registering a GPA with us, we need you to come to a branch with the correct documents. More information on this can be found in the registration section of this page.

Non-UK Power of Attorney

If POA documents are drawn up in another country, we are unable to register these on a Royal Bank account. This is because the bank account is held in the UK and the laws of other countries do not apply within the UK; meaning the attorney does not have legal authority to manage the donor's account.

Whilst we are aware the Scottish OPG are issuing certificates to allow overseas POA documents to be registered in Scotland, we are unable to accept these.

What can an Attorney do?

If the granter lacks capacity the attorney can operate the account as if they were the account holder themselves. Granter's can choose to have more than one Attorney on their account but they must make it clear whether the Attorneys will act 'jointly' or 'joint and severally'.

An attorney can

Have a debit card, register for online or telephone banking, and make payments and transfers.
Close accounts that are no longer needed.
Open new accounts on behalf of the granter depending on the type of POA document held, and this needs to be done in a branch.
Manage the granter's mortgage, including applying for a new mortgage or changing the rates.
Order a cheque book for the granter's account as long as they are "acting in a professional capacity", or "jointly" in the case of multiple attorneys.

Information Message

An attorney cannot

Apply for certain forms of borrowing, for example loans or overdrafts on behalf of the granter.
Act outside the terms set out by the granter in the Power of Attorney document.
Change ownership of the account or add new parties to the account.
Have access to online or telephone banking or have a debit card if several attorneys are acting "jointly".

Information Message

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take for an attorney to be added to an account?

A Power of Attorney will be added within 10 working days once we have received your documents.

For overseas POA registrations, it can take up to 28 working days for an attorney to be added onto an account once we have received your documents.

Additional checks may be required for some Power of Attorney applications which can lengthen timescales.

Once I am added to an account as an attorney, how do I register for Digital Banking?

Once you are added as an attorney you will receive your customer number and you can use this to register for online access to the granter's accounts. For more information check out our guide to Digital Banking. You can find out how to register and make the most of the services available.

What happens to a Power of Attorney if the account holder has passed away?

A Power of Attorney will no longer apply on sole accounts once the granter has passed away.

For joint accounts, the Power of Attorney would remain in place. However, as Power of Attorney is held for named individuals, it would only remain in place if the granter was the surviving party.

Can I be added as an attorney to a joint account?

Yes, you can be added as an attorney to a joint account. However, you will need to get written permission from the other joint account holder, unless you hold POA for both account holders.

Can a Power of Attorney open an account on behalf of the granter?

Yes, as a Power of Attorney it's possible to open an account on behalf of the granter. You can't apply online, you'd need to visit your local branch so they can help set this up. Remember to bring your Power of Attorney document.

If the granter is an existing customer and you have already registered the POA document with us, you can call our customer services team on 0345 724 2424 (Relay UK 18001 0345 724 2424),who can help you open an additional account.

How do I contact the Power of Attorney team?

If you have a question or problem on the POA registration process you can contact our application team via our webchat. This can be done by clicking chat to Cora at the bottom right of your screen, typing in Power of Attorney and answering some questions.

Webchat is open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

How can I remove a Power of Attorney from my account?

To have a Power of Attorney removed from an account, you would need to send us a signed letter with details of the request. The granter can request the removal of an attorney from their account, if they still have mental capacity. This also needs a signed letter to be sent in.

The POA document will remain valid and could still be used by an attorney, so to avoid this, we recommend that you revoke this with the Office of Public Guardian.

What happens to a Travel Account when an attorney is added to the linked Current Account?

If a Travel Account is linked to a Current Account held by a donor it will be closed when the attorney is added, and any EUR funds will be moved back to the Current Account.

Funds returned to the Current Account will be based on the live bank exchange rate.

Do we accept replacement attorneys?

Yes, you can register a replacement attorney with us if the primary attorney is unable to act, or the granter has requested for the primary attorney to stop acting on their behalf.

To be considered a suitable replacement an individual needs to be named on the original POA certificate of registration.

Additional support

If something in your life has changed like your money situation or your health you might need a little more support with your banking. Visit our Banking My Way page where you can tell us what's going on, and we'll find ways to make things easier for you.
If you're looking after someone who needs extra support, there's help out there for you too. We've listed some organisations below that offer advice, tools and the support to make things a bit easier.

NHS Social care and support guide Open in new window

Government services and benefits for carers Open in new window

Citizens Advice Open in new window

Carers UK information and support Open in new window

Money Helper information and support Open in new window

Age UK help for carers Open in new window