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.

  1. The certificate attached to a clerical registration carries an embossed red seal.
  2. 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