Family, powers of attorney and personal documents in England

For anyone whose request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 — to a public authority in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, or a UK-wide body — was refused in whole or part, answered incompletely or not answered within 20 working days: a request for an internal review, giving your reasons and asking for the outcome within 20 working days, the step before a complaint to the Information Commission (the ICO). Send it by email within 40 working days of the reply. A Scottish public authority’s answer is reviewed under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 instead: use the Scottish requirement for review.

For a homeowner, tenant or landlord asked to confirm in writing that a person — a partner, grown-up child, relative or lodger — lives at the address, often for a bank account, a phone contract, a school or a GP registration. The UK has no residence certificate, so organisations ask for bills or statements, and some accept a letter like this; ask them first what they accept. The letter states since when the person has lived there and gives your contact details.

For a claimant in England, Wales or Scotland who disagrees with a DWP decision on Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker's Allowance, another DWP benefit or, in England and Wales, Personal Independence Payment. A written request to look again at the decision, within one month (or up to 13 months with reasons): it says why the decision is wrong, lists new evidence and asks for DWP's evidence and a mandatory reconsideration notice. The journal and DWP's own form are free. Posted first class. Not for Social Security Scotland's benefits, such as Adult Disability Payment: they have a redetermination. Sold blank, as it may hold health data.

For a resident unhappy with a council service or decision — bins, potholes, planning enforcement, noise, social care, a school place process or poor handling of an earlier request: a formal complaint under the council’s complaints procedure, saying what happened, what you have done so far and what you want the council to do. Use the council’s online form if it has one. If you are still unhappy after its final reply, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman looks at complaints free of charge.

For anyone who wants information held by a council, government department, NHS or HSC body, police force, school or other public authority in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, or a UK-wide body, including its offices in Scotland: a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, also covering environmental information, asking for a reply within 20 working days. Many authorities have their own free online form or FOI email address. A Scottish public authority — the Scottish Government, a Scottish council, NHS Scotland or a Scottish school — answers under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 instead: use the Scottish request for it.

For someone who has revoked a power of attorney they gave under the 1971 Act: a letter to a bank, building society, utility, landlord or any organisation the attorney has dealt with, saying the power has been revoked, asking them to stop accepting the attorney’s instructions and to confirm it in writing. It encloses a copy of the deed of revocation and goes first class with a free certificate of posting, or by hand.

For someone who gave a general or one-off power of attorney and wants to end it — they no longer need it, or no longer trust the attorney. The deed revokes the power from its date and is signed in front of a witness. Give a copy to the attorney and to every bank or organisation that has dealt with them: until they know, they may still be protected if they rely on the power (Powers of Attorney Act 1971, s 5). Not for a registered lasting power of attorney.

For a parent or anyone else with parental responsibility who is not going on the trip: a signed letter consenting to the child travelling abroad with the other parent, grandparents, a school or a friend’s family. Taking a child under 16 out of the UK without the consent of everyone with parental responsibility, or the court’s permission, can be an offence (Child Abduction Act 1984, s 1). There is no official form. The letter names the child, the trip and the dates, and gives your telephone number so that border staff or an airline can check it. Give it to the adult travelling, with a copy of your passport or driving licence.

For someone who needs another person to act for them in one matter only — selling a car, signing a contract, dealing with a bank account or a property sale while they are abroad. A deed (Powers of Attorney Act 1971, s 1) that names the matter, what the attorney may sign and when the power ends, signed in front of a witness. If a letter of authority or the organisation’s own free form will do, use that first.

For a parent or guardian changing the name of a child under 18 — after a divorce, a new family or at the child’s wish. Everyone with parental responsibility must agree, or the court must permit it; the deed says which, and a 16- or 17-year-old signs their own consent. It renounces the old name and adopts the new one, signed in front of two adult witnesses. GOV.UK explains the free route and the optional enrolment, which costs a fee.

For an unmarried couple who live together, or are about to: a written agreement on how you share the rent or mortgage and bills, what each of you owns, joint accounts and debts, and what happens to your belongings if you separate. There is no ‘common-law marriage’, so the law gives cohabitants far fewer claims than spouses. Each of you should take independent legal advice before signing; who owns the home stays as the title and any declaration of trust say.

For anyone who wants a relative, friend or carer to speak to their bank, energy or phone company, council or landlord for them: a signed letter naming the person, the accounts or matter, and whether they may only discuss it and receive information or also give instructions. It lets the organisation share your personal data with them, and you can withdraw it at any time. Many organisations have their own free form; use that if they ask.

For separated parents who have agreed how to bring up their children: where the children live, time with each parent, school holidays and special days, handovers, decisions about school and health, and how you will talk and settle disagreements. It is an agreement between you, not a court order. Cafcass publishes a free parenting plan and guidance, the first place to look; each of you should take independent advice if unsure about any part.

For an adult who wants someone they trust to handle their money and affairs while they can still decide for themselves — when abroad, in hospital or simply needing help. A deed in the form of section 10 of the Powers of Attorney Act 1971, signed in front of a witness. It stops working if you lose mental capacity; for that, make a lasting power of attorney through the Office of the Public Guardian, whose online service is the first place to look.

For anyone asked by a bank, employer, council, DVLA or another organisation to confirm facts by statutory declaration — a lost document, living together, a name used, an address or a family link. You write the facts in numbered paragraphs; the document adds the words the Statutory Declarations Act 1835 requires. You sign it in person before a solicitor or commissioner for oaths, for the fee set by law of £5, plus £2 for each exhibit, or before a notary public, who sets their own fee.

For anyone aged 16 or over who is changing their first name, surname or both — after marriage, divorce or simply by choice — and needs proof for their bank, employer, HM Passport Office or DVLA. An unenrolled deed poll you make yourself: it renounces the old name, adopts the new one and is signed in both names in front of two adult witnesses. GOV.UK explains the free route and the optional enrolment at the Royal Courts of Justice, which costs a fee.

For a parent or other person with parental responsibility who agrees that the other parent, or someone else, may apply for a British passport for the child. Usually one person with parental responsibility signs the application, but HM Passport Office may ask for the consent of everyone who has it — for example after a separation. The letter names the child and the applicant, gives your contact details and encloses a copy of your ID. Send it with the application, or as HMPO asks.