OPG to discontinue red seal certificate of registration

The Office of the Public Guardian is to issue one single type of certificate of registration of a power of attorney, from 1 July 2023.

For some time OPG has issued two versions of certificates of registration – an electronically produced certificate containing a crest watermark, and a manually produced certificate containing a red seal. OPG has found that this gives rise to some uncertainty within organisations, which is resulting in those who act on behalf of others experiencing difficulties when exercising their legal authority.

Therefore from 1 July OPG will only issue certificates of registration with the crest watermark. 

Certificates with the red seal already in circulation and presented after 1 July should continue to be accepted as they remain valid forms of legal authority. 

Special measures implemented from March 2020 to manage critical business during the coronavirus pandemic have now been implemented as regular business as usual processes. Certificates issued under special measures continue to be valid forms of legal authority and should continue to be accepted after 1 July 2023. 

A summary of the changes to the certificates is available from OPGs website. Communications are underway to bring this information to the attention of key financial organisations and institutions.