Sick Note for Work
If your employer needs formal absence documentation, our registered UK GPs can review your case online and issue a signed sick note or fit note without the wait.
Every sick note for work is issued following individual clinical review by a licensed UK doctor, making it a legitimate medical document suitable for employer and HR submission.
✔ Signed by a registered UK GP following clinical assessment
✔ Accepted by employers and HR departments across the UK
✔ Most requests reviewed same day, from £47
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Receive a full refund if we can’t provide a certificate
How It Works
01
Complete a short online questionnaire
No appointment required. Complete a short medical questionnaire and upload any supporting evidence.
02
Doctor reviews your evidence
A GMC-registered doctor reviews your submission individually. No automated approvals.
✔ Full refund if the GP cannot issue.
03
Receive your certificate
Certificates arrive most same day, all by 9AM next morning, delivered as a signed PDF direct to your inbox.
Trustpilot Reviews
What our patients say
Verified reviews from real MedicalCert patients
Verified Patient
May 2025
Request at 10pm, certificate by 9am
Excellent service. Request was made at 10pm and turned around by 9am the next day. Very well written using the information provided.
Trustpilot · Verified
Verified Patient
June 2025
Updated certificate sent free of charge
Amazing experience — got what I asked for in a short period of time, then they sent me an updated one with dates provided free of charge.
Trustpilot · Verified
Marcus T.
January 2025
Sick note for work — professional and fast
My GP had a 3-week wait. MedicalCert issued a sick note within a few hours. The doctor was thorough, and my employer accepted it without question. Exactly what I needed.
Trustpilot · Verified
Employment Sick Notes
Sick Note for Work
If your employer is asking for a sick note, get one today from a GMC-registered UK doctor. Accepted by UK employers for absence records and Statutory Sick Pay. No appointment, same day delivery.When do you need a sick note for work in the UK?
Whether you need a formal sick note depends entirely on how long you have been off work. UK employment law uses a simple 7-day rule, confirmed by GOV.UK and ACAS, that every UK employer must follow.The 7-day self-certification rule
Absences of 7 calendar days or fewer: you can self-certify. No sick note is required by law. You simply notify your employer that you are unwell, usually via a self-certification form or written statement. All calendar days count toward the seven days, including weekends and bank holidays.Absences of 8 days or more: your employer can legally require a sick note from a registered healthcare professional before they will accept the absence as certified or pay Statutory Sick Pay.
How to get a sick note for work online
You do not need a face-to-face GP appointment, a prior medical history with us, or to leave home. You can get a sick note online in around 10 minutes.Complete the online questionnaire
Describe your symptoms, how long you have been unwell, and how your condition is affecting your ability to work, whether it is a sick note for back pain or any other physical condition. Be as specific as you can about impact on attendance and duties.Upload photo ID and supporting evidence
A driving licence or passport, plus any existing prescriptions, GP letters, or medical records that strengthen your case. Supporting evidence is not always required but helps the doctor reach a faster decision.A GMC-registered doctor reviews your case
Every case is individually assessed by a UK GP. No automated approvals. If the doctor cannot issue a certificate based on the clinical evidence, you receive a full refund.Receive your signed sick note by email
Most certificates are issued the same day. All are delivered by 9AM next morning at the latest, as a signed PDF you can forward straight to HR or your line manager.What a sick note for work includes
Every certificate is a legally valid private medical document that your employer is required to accept. Each sick note contains:Personal details
Your full name, date of birth, and address, matching the ID you submitted.Medical reason for absence
A description of your condition at the clinical level of detail appropriate for your employer, whether a sick note for anxiety or another health condition. You are not required to share a full diagnosis beyond this.Dates and duration
The start date, end date, and recommended total duration of absence, up to 14 days per certificate. Follow-up notes can extend this.Fitness for work assessment
Either “not fit for work” or “may be fit for work” with recommended adjustments such as a phased return to work, reduced duties, or remote working.Doctor’s credentials
The issuing doctor’s full name, GMC registration number, and digital signature. Your employer can verify these on the GMC register at no charge.Unique reference number
Every certificate carries a unique reference your employer can use for direct verification with MedicalCert.Sick pay and your rights when you are signed off work
If you are signed off work with a valid sick note, including a sick note for depression, you are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) provided you meet the eligibility criteria. The UK SSP system changed significantly in April 2026, and most employees now qualify more easily than before.April 2026 SSP changes you should know
Day one payment. SSP is now payable from day one of absence. The previous three waiting days have been abolished. You are paid for every certified day off, including the first three.Lower earnings limit removed. The previous minimum weekly earnings threshold has been scrapped. Part-time workers, zero-hours contract workers, and lower earners who previously did not qualify now do.
Current rate. £123.25 per week, or 80% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. Many employers also offer contractual sick pay above the statutory minimum, set out in your contract or employee handbook.
How long can a doctor give a sick note for?
There is no legal maximum on how long a doctor can sign you off work. The duration is based entirely on clinical judgement — what your condition is, how it affects your ability to work, and how long recovery is expected to take.Short-term illness
Most sick notes for work cover 1 to 14 days. MedicalCert issues certificates for up to 14 days per note, with follow-up notes available if you remain unwell.Longer-term conditions
Your doctor can issue fit notes covering weeks or months at a time. After an initial shorter note, subsequent certificates can cover longer periods — up to three months or more based on clinical assessment.Mental health conditions
There is no separate limit for mental health sick notes. A doctor can sign you off for depression, anxiety, stress, PTSD, or any other mental health condition for as long as is clinically necessary. The same duration rules apply as for physical conditions.Ongoing or chronic illness
If your condition is long-term, your doctor will reassess at appropriate intervals and issue successive certificates. There is no cap on the total number of sick notes or the total duration of certified absence.Mental health and duration: If your mental health condition is affecting your ability to work, a doctor can issue a sick note for the full duration of your recovery. Initial notes typically cover one to two weeks, with extensions issued as needed. You will never be refused a sick note purely because the condition is psychological rather than physical.
Can my employer reject a sick note?
Under UK employment law, employers are required to accept a valid sick note from a GMC-registered doctor. This applies regardless of whether the note comes from an NHS GP, a private practice, or an online service like MedicalCert. Every certificate is equally valid as medical evidence for workplace absence and SSP purposes.What your employer CAN do
- → Ask to see the certificate.
- → Verify the doctor’s GMC registration number.
- → Contact MedicalCert to confirm the unique reference.
- → Refer you to occupational health for a second opinion.
- → Conduct a return-to-work interview after your absence.
- → Follow their normal absence management process.
What your employer CANNOT do
- → Refuse to record the absence as certified sick leave.
- → Withhold SSP without a legitimate legal reason.
- → Dismiss or discipline you for certified absence.
- → Demand a detailed diagnosis beyond what is on the note.
- → Override the doctor’s clinical judgement.
- → Insist you attend work despite the certificate.
If an employer attempts to reject a valid sick note, refer them to GOV.UK guidance on fit notes, which confirms that certificates from any GMC-registered doctor must be accepted. Persistent refusal to accept valid medical evidence may amount to unfair treatment under the Employment Rights Act 1996.
Private sick note vs NHS Med3 Fit Note
MedicalCert issues private medical certificates, not NHS Med3 Fit Notes, including a stress leave certificate for stress-related absences. For the overwhelming majority of workplace purposes the two are functionally equivalent, but there are important differences worth understanding.| Factor | Private sick note | NHS Med3 Fit Note |
|---|---|---|
| Accepted by employers | Yes | Yes |
| Valid for Statutory Sick Pay | Yes | Yes |
| Accepted for ESA and government benefits | No | Yes (required) |
| Cost | From £47 | Free |
| Appointment required | No | Yes (via your NHS GP) |
| Typical delivery time | Same day, all by 9AM next morning | Days to weeks depending on GP availability |
| GMC-registered doctor | Yes | Yes |
Please note: If you are applying for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Universal Credit, or any other government benefit that requires medical evidence, you will need a free NHS Med3 Fit Note from your registered GP. Private certificates are not accepted for benefit applications. For every other workplace purpose including employer absence records, HR, and SSP, a private sick note is fully valid.
Who can issue a fit note for work?
Fit notes are no longer restricted to GPs. Since July 2022, a wider range of registered healthcare professionals can issue a Statement of Fitness for Work, giving you more options when your GP has a long wait.Doctors
Any GMC-registered doctor can issue a fit note — NHS GPs, hospital doctors, and private doctors including online services like MedicalCert.Nurses and pharmacists
Registered nurses and pharmacist independent prescribers can now issue fit notes directly, without needing a doctor’s countersignature.Midwives
Midwives can issue a fit note if a pregnancy-related condition is affecting your ability to work. This includes hyperemesis, pelvic pain, pregnancy-related anxiety, and any other maternity-related health issue. See also our pregnancy fit to fly certificate for travel during pregnancy.Physiotherapists and occupational therapists
Registered physiotherapists and occupational therapists can issue fit notes for conditions within their clinical scope, particularly musculoskeletal injuries and workplace rehabilitation.Regardless of who issues your fit note, the document carries the same legal weight. Your employer must accept a valid fit note from any of the professionals listed above.
Frequently asked questions about sick notes for work
How long can a doctor give a sick note for?
A doctor can issue a sick note for any duration the clinical evidence supports, up to 14 days per individual certificate. Follow-up notes can be issued for longer absences. There is no legal maximum on the total duration of certified sick leave, and many people are signed off for weeks or months where the condition requires it.
Can I get a sick note for 1 day at work?
Yes. For absences of 7 days or fewer you can usually self-certify without a formal sick note, but if your employer requires medical documentation for a shorter absence, a private sick note from MedicalCert covers any duration from 1 day upward.
Can I get a sick note without seeing a GP?
Yes. MedicalCert operates an online consultation model. You complete a questionnaire and upload supporting evidence, and a GMC-registered doctor reviews your case individually and issues a sick note where clinically appropriate. No face-to-face appointment is required at any stage.
Will my employer accept an online sick note?
Yes. UK employers are legally required to accept a valid sick note from any GMC-registered doctor, regardless of whether the certificate was issued online or in person. Each MedicalCert note includes the issuing doctor’s GMC registration number and a unique reference for verification.
Can a sick note be backdated?
Yes, provided there is supporting evidence for when you became unwell. Backdated sick notes are common when an illness prevented you from seeking medical advice immediately, or where you have already been absent for several days before obtaining certification.
Do I still get paid if I have a sick note?
If you meet the Statutory Sick Pay eligibility criteria, yes. From April 2026 SSP is payable from day one at £123.25 per week or 80% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. The previous three waiting days and the lower earnings limit have both been removed. Contractual sick pay above the statutory minimum depends on your employment contract.
Do I need a sick note to claim SSP?
For absences of 7 days or fewer you can self-certify for SSP purposes. For absences of 8 days or more, your employer is entitled to require a sick note from a registered healthcare professional before paying SSP. Without one, they can legally withhold payment.
Can my employer contact the doctor who issued my sick note?
Your employer can verify that the certificate is genuine by checking the doctor’s GMC registration number on the public GMC register, and by using the unique reference number on the certificate to confirm authenticity with MedicalCert. They cannot access your medical records or obtain clinical information beyond what is stated on the certificate itself.
What is the difference between a sick note and a fit note?
They are the same document. The UK formally renamed the sick note to the “fit note” in 2010 to emphasise what employees can still do rather than what they cannot. In practice, employers, HR teams, and the general public still use the term “sick note”, and the two terms are fully interchangeable.
How quickly can I get a sick note for work?
Most MedicalCert sick notes are issued the same day, often within a few hours of submission. All applications received by 11PM are reviewed and delivered by 9AM the following morning at the latest. If the doctor cannot issue a certificate based on the information provided, you receive a full refund.
How long can a doctor give a sick note for mental health?
There is no separate limit for mental health. A doctor can issue a sick note for depression, anxiety, stress, PTSD, or any other mental health condition for as long as is clinically appropriate. Initial notes typically cover one to two weeks, with extensions issued following reassessment. The total duration of certified absence has no legal cap — it is determined entirely by clinical need.
Can a midwife give a sick note?
Yes. Since July 2022, registered midwives can issue fit notes for pregnancy-related conditions that are affecting your ability to work. This includes hyperemesis gravidarum, pelvic girdle pain, pregnancy-related anxiety, and any other maternity-related health issue. The fit note carries the same legal weight as one issued by a doctor.
Do I need a sick note for 3 days off work?
Not by law. Under the 7-day self-certification rule, you can certify your own absence for up to 7 calendar days without a doctor’s note. However, some employers have internal policies that require medical evidence for shorter absences, particularly where there is a pattern of frequent short-term sickness. If your employer requires one, MedicalCert can issue a sick note covering any duration from a single day upward.
What are self-certification sick notes?
Self-certification is the process of confirming your illness to your employer without a doctor’s note. It applies to absences of 7 calendar days or fewer. You either complete your employer’s own self-certification form or use HMRC form SC2. After 7 days, self-certification is no longer sufficient and your employer can require a formal sick note from a registered healthcare professional.
Can I get a sick note for work same day?
Yes. Most MedicalCert sick notes are reviewed and issued the same day, often within a few hours. All applications submitted by 11PM are guaranteed to be delivered by 9AM the next morning. This is significantly faster than the days or weeks many patients currently wait for an NHS GP appointment.
How much is statutory sick pay per week in 2026?
SSP is £123.25 per week from April 2026, or 80% of your average weekly earnings if that is lower. The three waiting days have been abolished — SSP is now payable from day one of absence. The previous lower earnings threshold has also been removed, meaning more part-time and lower-paid workers now qualify.
Please note: MedicalCert issues private medical certificates, not NHS Med3 Fit Notes. Our certificates are accepted by UK employers for absence documentation, HR records, and Statutory Sick Pay purposes. If you are applying for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or other government benefits, you will need a free NHS Med3 Fit Note from your registered GP.
Most same day. All by 9AM next morning. Full refund if we cannot issue your certificate.