Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) fees
If an application is being made for exemption or remission of an OPG fee then the application should be based on the financial circumstances of the Donor (EPA/LPA) or the person for whom a Deputy has been appointed.
Court of Protection fees
If an application is being made for exemption or remission of a Court fee then the application should be based on the financial circumstances of the person making the application (the applicant).
Am I eligible for a fee exemption?
You are eligible for a fee exemption if you receive any of the following means-tested benefits and you have not been awarded damages of more than £16,000, which were disregarded when determining your eligibility for the benefit:- Income Support;
- Income-based Job-Seeker's Allowance;
- State Pension Guarantee Credit;
- A combination of Working Tax Credit and either Child Tax Credit, Disability Element or Severe Disability Element;
- Housing Benefit; or
- Council Tax Benefit.
Am I eligible for a fee remission?
If you do not qualify for a fee exemption, you may be eligible for a fee remission if your gross annual income* is within the bands shown below. Income Remission:- Up to £11,500 no fee to pay
- £11,501 to £13,000 75% remission - you need to enclose 25% of fee
- £13,001 to £14,500 50% remission - you need to enclose 50% of fee
- £14,501 to £16,000 25% remission - you need to enclose 75% of fee
- Over £16,000 - You are not entitled to a fee remission.
*Gross annual income is the amount received before you pay tax and national insurance. It may come from:
- employment;
- non-means-tested benefits;
- pensions; and/or
- Interest from capital investments.
How do I make an application for a fee exemption or remission?
To apply for a fee exemption or remission you should complete the form OPG506A, which you can download from the forms and booklets section of our site. This form should be sent together with your application to the Court or OPG and include any documentation in support of your claim.
For exemptions you should include a photocopy of a recent document confirming your benefit entitlement. For remissions you should include a photocopy of a recent payslip, pension entitlement slip, tax return or interest statement.
If you are applying for an exemption you do not need to pay the fee when you make your application. If it is decided that you are not eligible for an exemption you will be asked to make the full payment.
If you are applying for a remission you should only send that portion of the application fee you are accountable for as set out above. If it is decided that you do not qualify for a remission you will be asked to pay the total fee less any amount already paid.
For more detailed information on fees remission and exemption please see OPG506 - Court of Protection and Office of the Public Guardian Fees, exemptions and remissions guidance.