A third-party authority is a temporary arrangement between you and someone you trust to access your bank accounts with us on your behalf.
A third-party authority is a short-term agreement between you (the ‘donor’) and someone you trust (the ‘third party’). This could be a family member or close friend who can access your bank accounts and pay bills or withdraw money on your behalf.
It’s only valid with us, so if you have accounts with other banks or building societies, you’ll need to set up a similar arrangement with them.
If you need help with other things such as contacting utility providers or companies, other types of access, such as a power of attorney, may be more suitable.
It may be suitable if you need help managing your finances in the short term, for example:
Who isn’t it suitable for?
You may want to consider other options to make sure you make the right choice for your circumstances.
As your third party will have access to your bank account, and you’ll be responsible for any withdrawals they make on your account, you should choose people you trust, such as family members or close friends.
If you no longer want them to be able to access your money, it’s important that you tell us immediately so we can remove them from your account.
You can choose up to two third parties – they don’t have to bank with us, but we will need to keep a record of their details.
They can't
*If you give them Online Banking access, they can use it to open Everyday Saver accounts for you.
If you choose more than one third party to act on your behalf, each person will be able to act independently. This means they won’t need your permission, or permission from another third party to withdraw money or pay bills while the third-party authority is active.
If you give your third party access to Online Banking they can see all products and services you have with us, not just the ones listed in your third party agreement. They can see personal loans, credit cards and mortgages, and might be able to change Direct Debits relating to these.
If you apply for any new current or savings accounts, including joint accounts, your third party will automatically get access to them in Online Banking. To remove this access, you'll need to contact us once the account is open.
Make an appointment to set up your third-party authority at a branch or Barclays Local.
Please call 0345 075 74751 and choose option 1. We’ll explain the process and send you a registration form.
If your third party doesn’t bank with us, they’ll need to verify their identity using Barclays Verify in our app before you return the form.
If they can’t use Barclays Verify, you’ll need to send us certified copies of documents that prove their identity and address.
If you already bank with us, you can verify your identity in one of our branches or local sites with your debit card and PIN or by using Barclays app ID.
If you don’t bank with us, you can verify your identity using Barclays Verify in our app before you visit.
If you can’t verify your identity using the app and don’t have a debit card with us, you’ll need to bring your proof of identity and address documents with you. You can find a list of acceptable documents on our account opening page. You don't need to open an account to register a power of attorney, but the documents we accept are the same.
What happens next
Once we receive everything we need, we’ll aim to set up their access within 10 working days. If we need anything else from you, we’ll get in touch by email or phone.
When it’s set up, we’ll send them a letter to confirm that they have access, along with anything else they asked for, such as Online Banking and Telephone Banking details or debit cards.
Depending on the permission given to you when the third-party authority was registered with us, you could have access to these features.
| Feature | |
|---|---|
| Debit card | |
| Online Banking | |
| Telephone Banking | |
| Barclays app | |
| Manned counter in branch | |
| Self-service machines in branch | |
Cheque book (only available if the person has lost mental capacity) |
If you have a question or need to make a transfer but can’t visit a branch, call our Telephone Banking team on 0345 734 53452 (+44 24 7684 21003 if you’re abroad). You’ll need your Telephone Banking membership number and passcode when you call – we’ll have sent you this in a letter when you registered with us.
Our handy Banking from home guide explains how to make transfers and manage payments.
You or your third party can cancel the third-party authority at any time by booking an appointment at your nearest branch or Barclays Local.
If you can’t visit us, you can send written instructions to:
Delegated Authority Team
Barclays
Leicester
LE87 2BB
If you’ve written to us, we’ll send you and your third-party a confirmation letter once it’s been cancelled.
A power of attorney (PoA) is a legal document that lets a person make decisions about property and finances on someone else’s behalf. The process of setting it up can be complicated, and it’s often needed at a difficult time, which is why we’re here to support you in any way we can.
A Court of Protection (CoP) order is a legal document that lets a person (the ‘deputy’, in legal documentation) make decisions about property and finances on behalf of someone who, due to mental incapacity, can no longer make those decisions themselves (the ‘donor’). The process of setting it up can be complicated, and it’s often needed at a difficult time, which is why we’re here to support you in any way we can.
A guardianship (missing persons) order (GMPO) is a court-appointed document that lets someone take care of the property and finances of a person who’s been missing for an extended period of time.
An appointeeship lets someone manage someone else’s government benefits and claims.
Barclays Bank UK PLC and Barclays Bank PLC are each authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
Barclays Insurance Services Company Limited and Barclays Investment Solutions Limited are each authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Registered office for all: 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP
