Sick Cert UK: Get Your Medical Certificate Online Today
Need a sick cert? Get yours online from a qualified, GMC-registered doctor. Same-day digital delivery.
Same-day medical certificate
GMC-registered GP review
Delivered to your inbox as a secure PDF
Valid for Statutory Sick Pay, employer sick leave and university absences
No appointment needed · QR verified
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The basics
What Is a Sick Cert in UK?
A sick cert (also called a medical certificate) is a document issued by a registered doctor confirming that you are medically unfit for work due to illness or injury. It is the standard form of medical evidence used in Irish employment and education settings to justify absences.
The term “sick cert” is distinctly Irish. While the UK replaced the traditional sick note with the “fit note” in 2010, allowing doctors to recommend modified duties, UK retained its binary system — a medical certificate states either that you are unfit for work or that you are fit. There is no statutory provision for a “may be fit” middle ground.
What Makes a Sick Cert Legally Valid?
📋 Legal requirements
- Be issued by a doctor registered with the General Medical Council (GMC)
- State that the named person is unfit for work
- Cover each day of absence being claimed
- Be written in English or Irish
🔒 Your privacy rights
- A valid sick cert does not need to reveal a specific diagnosis
- Employers are entitled to confirmation of incapacity, not your private medical information
- The Medical Council’s Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics (2024) confirms patient confidentiality extends to certification
At Sicknote.com, every certificate is issued by one of our GMC-registered doctors — Dr. Ammar Haider Malik (GMC Reg. No. 507884) or Dr. Suranga Senanayake (GMC Reg. No. 404782) — includes a unique reference number and QR code for employer verification, and meets all requirements under the Sick Leave Act 2022.
Know your situation
When Do You Need a Sick Cert in UK?
Under the Sick Leave Act 2022, you need a medical certificate from Day 1 of any sick leave for which you are claiming Statutory Sick Pay. In practice, when you need a cert depends on your situation.
SSP Statutory Sick Pay
A cert is required from the first day of absence. No exceptions. Without a cert, your employer cannot process your SSP claim.
Employer Employer sick pay scheme
Many employers allow self-certification for 1–2 days. Check your contract. But note: you forfeit SSP entitlement for any uncertified days.
Public Public sector / HSE
HSE employees can self-certify for up to 7 days in any rolling 24-month period (max 2 consecutive days per instance).
College University or college
Most third-level institutions require a medical certificate to justify exam deferrals or assignment extensions.
DSP Illness Benefit
If you are off work for more than 3 days and have sufficient PRSI contributions, you may be eligible for Illness Benefit. This requires a separate Certificate of Incapacity for Work following a GP consultation.
Know your entitlements
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) in UK
UK’s Statutory Sick Pay scheme was introduced by the Sick Leave Act 2022, taking effect on 1 January 2023 — the first time Irish private-sector employees had a legal right to employer-funded paid sick leave.
| Detail | 2026 Rules |
|---|---|
| Days per year | 5 (permanently fixed) |
| Pay rate | 70% of normal daily pay |
| Daily cap | £110 |
| Qualifying period | 13 continuous weeks of employment |
| Certification | Medical cert required from Day 1 |
| Sick pay year | Calendar year (1 Jan – 31 Dec) |
Important: The entitlement was originally scheduled to increase to 7 days in 2025 and 10 days in 2026. On 8 April 2025, Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke TD announced that statutory sick leave will remain at 5 days per year indefinitely. Any sources citing 7 or 10 days are outdated.
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) in UK
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
Paid byYour employer
DurationUp to 5 days/year
Payment70% pay (max £110/day)
Medical evidenceFit note from GMC doctor
PRSINone (13 weeks employment)
Illness Benefit (DSP)
Paid byDept. of Social Protection
DurationUp to 2 years
Payment£254/week (2026 rate)
Medical evidenceCertificate of Incapacity
PRSIClass A contributions
The online process
How to Get a Sick Cert Online in UK
Online sick certificate services let you get a valid medical cert without visiting a GP surgery — complete a questionnaire, a doctor reviews your case, and your cert arrives by email the same day.
✓ What online services CAN do
- Issue certs for mild to moderate, short-duration illnesses (cold, flu, sore throat, gastro, stress, anxiety)
- Certify up to 5 days of absence
- Issue certs valid for SSP, employer sick leave, and university absences
- Provide same-day or next-day delivery
✗ What online services CANNOT do
- Issue the Certificate of Incapacity required for Illness Benefit
- Certify illnesses requiring physical examination (broken bones, chest pain)
- Issue retrospective certs for illnesses over 48 hours ago
- Replace ongoing care for chronic or complex conditions
How It Works with Sicknote.com
1
Complete the questionnaire
Takes about 2 minutes. Describe your symptoms, when they started, and how they affect your ability to work or study.
2
Doctor reviews your case
An GMC-registered GP reviews your information. If more detail is needed, the doctor will contact you by phone.
3
Receive your cert by email
A secure PDF with unique reference number and QR code. Most certs issued within 6 hours on average.
£33 · No appointment needed · Valid for SSP · QR-verified
Meet your doctors
Your Doctors: GMC-Registered GPs
Every certificate issued through Sicknote.com is reviewed and signed by one of our General Medical Council-registered doctors.
Dr. Ammar Haider Malik M.B.B.S.
Senior Physician & Surgical Specialist — GMC Reg. No. 507884
Senior Physician and Surgical Specialist with 4+ years post-graduation experience spanning general surgery, hepatobiliary surgery, infectious diseases, and internal medicine, with active General Medical Council registration.
General Medical Council Registered (GMC Reg. No. 507884)
Senior Physician & Surgical Specialist
Clinical Reviewer at Shifa International Hospital
“Patients deserve fast access to medical documentation — but every certificate I issue is backed by a genuine clinical assessment, not a rubber stamp.”— Dr. Ammar Haider Malik
Dr. Suranga Senanayake MD
Senior Medical Officer, HSE UK — GMC Reg. No. 404782
Senior Medical Officer with the Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) since 2021, with 13+ years in medicine. Specialises in community medicine, occupational health, oncology, and genetics, with postgraduate qualifications from Harvard Medical School.
General Medical Council Registered (GMC Reg. No. 404782)
Senior Medical Officer, HSE UK
Postgraduate training at Harvard Medical School
“Telemedicine done right means the same clinical standards as an in-person consultation — just more accessible for the patient.”— Dr. Suranga Senanayake
Original research
What 5,000+ Sick Cert Orders Tell Us About Illness in UK
Sicknote.com is one of the few Irish healthcare providers publishing original research from its own patient data. Our medical team’s analysis reveals patterns no competitor can replicate.
5K+
Fit note orders analysed
74%
Higher anxiety orders on Mondays vs Fridays
59%
Of chronic pain certs issued to men
57%
Of stress-related certs issued to women
#1
Most common: Respiratory & GI conditions
Mon
Peak day for anxiety & depression certs
100%
Proprietary data — unique to Sicknote.com
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
A sick cert is an official document from an GMC-registered doctor confirming you are unfit for work due to illness or injury. It is required for claiming Statutory Sick Pay and is typically requested by employers after 1–3 days of absence.
Online sick certs in UK range from £20 to £50. Sicknote.com charges £33. Traditional GP visits typically cost £50–£65 for private patients, while GMS/medical card holders may pay an administrative fee of £15–£20.
Yes. Online sick certs issued by GMC-registered doctors are legally valid for SSP purposes and accepted by Irish employers. The doctor must conduct an appropriate clinical assessment before issuing any cert.
For Statutory Sick Pay, yes — the Sick Leave Act 2022 requires certification from your first day of absence. Some employers allow self-certification under their own policies, but SSP cannot be claimed without a cert for each day.
If issued by an GMC-registered doctor, it is legally valid. Employers can verify the doctor's registration but cannot reject a valid cert simply because it was issued online. The cert does not need to disclose whether the consultation was in person or remote.
Under the Sick Leave Act 2022, employees are entitled to 5 days of Statutory Sick Pay per calendar year at 70% of normal wages (capped at £110/day). This is permanently fixed — the planned increases to 7 and 10 days were cancelled in April 2025.
Under the Sick Leave Act 2022, employees are entitled to 5 days of Statutory Sick Pay per calendar year at 70% of normal wages (capped at £110/day). This is permanently fixed — the planned increases to 7 and 10 days were cancelled in April 2025.
Yes. Stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout are legitimate grounds for a sick cert in UK. Online services can certify short-term absences for mental health reasons. For ongoing conditions, a relationship with a regular GP is recommended.
A sick cert can only be issued following a consultation with the patient themselves. Parents or guardians can submit applications on behalf of minors (under 18), but the clinical assessment must still relate to the named patient.
No. A fit note is a UK concept where doctors can recommend modified duties ("may be fit for work"). UK uses the traditional sick cert — you are either unfit for work or you are not. There is no "may be fit" option in Irish law.
Employers can verify that a certificate was issued and confirm dates of absence. They cannot access your medical records or diagnosis without your explicit written consent, in line with GDPR and Medical Council guidelines.
An employer cannot lawfully reject a valid cert issued by an GMC-registered doctor. If a dispute arises, it can be raised with the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).
Complete guides
Sick Cert UK — Complete Guide Collection
Need a Sick Cert Today?
Get your medical certificate online in minutes. Same-day delivery. Issued by an GMC-registered doctor. Valid for SSP, employers and universities across UK.