SingaporeI want to set up a lasting power of attorney. What's the process?
To set up a lasting power of attorney (LPA) in Singapore, you must use the official LPA Form 1 or Form 2, have it certified by an LPA certificate issuer, and register it with the Office of the Public Guardian — the Wills Act does not govern LPAs.
What the Law Says
The creation and registration of a lasting power of attorney in Singapore is governed by the Mental Capacity Act, not the Wills Act. The Wills Act (Cap. 352, 1996 Rev Ed) deals only with wills and testamentary dispositions — it does not contain provisions on LPAs.
A lasting power of attorney allows a person (the donor) aged 21 or older to appoint one or more persons (donees) to make decisions on their behalf if they lose mental capacity. This is regulated under the Mental Capacity Act (Cap. 177A), not the Wills Act.
The Wills Act s. 6 — which concerns the execution of wills — is irrelevant to LPAs. It states: "No will shall be valid unless it is in writing and executed in accordance with this section." This applies only to wills, not to LPAs.
To be legally effective, an LPA must be made using either the standard LPA Form 1 (for common decisions) or the more flexible Form 2 (for custom powers), signed by the donor, donee(s), and a certificate issuer, then registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG).
Statutory TextNo will shall be valid unless it is in writing and executed in accordance with this section.
— Wills Act, s. 6 — Execution of wills
What to Do
Ensure you are at least 21 years old and have mental capacity.
Choose your donee(s) and decide whether to use LPA Form 1 (standard) or Form 2 (custom).
Complete the form and arrange for certification by an approved LPA certificate issuer (e.g., doctor, lawyer, or psychiatrist).
Submit the completed form and pay the $100 registration fee to the Office of the Public Guardian.
Wait for confirmation — registration usually takes about 3 working days after submission.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.