Medical Certificates Guide
This guide explains the most common medical certificates people request for travel, work, study, sport, and insurance. All requests are assessed individually and documentation is issued only where clinically appropriate.
What you’ll get on this page
- Which certificate type is usually needed for each situation
- What clinicians can (and cannot) confirm in a certificate
- How online assessment typically works
- When in-person care is required
What is a medical certificate?
A medical certificate is a clinician-issued document confirming relevant medical information for a specific purpose (for example: fitness to travel, medical absence, or a health-related cancellation). The content of any certificate depends on the information available and the clinician’s judgement at the time of assessment.
Clinician-reviewed
Issued after review of the information provided.
Purpose-specific
Written to meet common requirements for that scenario.
Time-sensitive
Reflects health status at the time of assessment.
How it works
Certificate requests are assessed case-by-case. Documentation may be declined if the information provided does not support certification.
Submit details
Provide the reason for your request and relevant medical context.
Clinical review
A UK doctor reviews the information and considers eligibility criteria.
Issued if appropriate
If clinically appropriate, documentation is issued digitally.
Find the right certificate type
Start with the category closest to your situation. If you’re unsure, browsing the full list is usually fastest.
Travel
Fit to fly, unable to fly letters, and related travel documentation.
Fit to fly certificate
Unable to fly due to medical reasons letter
More travel-related certificates
Work & study
Absence, support letters, and common administrative certificates.
Sports & events
Participation certificates and event-specific documentation.
Clinical review, eligibility, and what can be confirmed
Requests are reviewed by GMC-registered UK doctors. Documentation is not automatically generated. A request may be declined if it is not clinically appropriate or if there is insufficient information. Clinical judgement is applied in every case.
A certificate generally reflects what a clinician can reasonably confirm based on the information provided at the time of assessment. Where additional examination, testing, or urgent evaluation is required, online certification may not be suitable.
When in-person care is required
Some situations are not suitable for online certification. Seek in-person medical care if you have severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, or if a physical examination is needed to assess safety.
Examples where online assessment may not be suitable
- Chest pain, breathing difficulty, neurological symptoms, or suspected serious infection
- Severe dehydration, uncontrolled bleeding, or acute injury needing examination
- Situations requiring imaging, ECG, blood tests, or specialist assessment
- Requests made for convenience without a clinical basis
Acceptance and decisions
Airlines, event organisers, universities, employers, and insurers may apply their own criteria for acceptance. A certificate provides clinical confirmation where appropriate, but does not guarantee acceptance, refunds, compensation, or payouts.
For general travel health guidance, see: NHS Fit for Travel – Air travel.
Frequently asked questions
Do I always need a medical certificate?
Can a certificate be declined?
Is a “fit to fly” certificate the same as an “unable to fly” letter?
What information is usually included?
Where can I browse all certificate options?
Browse certificate services
View the full list of certificates and choose the one that matches your situation.
View all certificates