Medical Certificate in the United Kingdom: Online Doctor's Note, Same-Day, from €34.99

UK Legal Snapshot: Sick Leave / Fit Note

Note on Statutory Sick Pay: SSP rules changed from 6 April 2026: day-one entitlement applies, waiting days were abolished, and the Lower Earnings Limit was removed. Confirm the current weekly rate and maximum duration with gov.uk or Acas at the time you need it, as these figures are reviewed periodically.

A private fit note from a GMC-registered clinician is legally valid whether obtained online or in person. There is no blanket statutory duty for an employer to accept a private note during the first 7 days (the self-certification window), but from day 8 a validly issued fit note fulfils the legal requirement. Sources: gov.uk, NHS, Acas. Last reviewed July 2026. Always confirm current figures before relying on them for a specific case.

In practice, many UK employers accept a simple verbal or written self-certification for the first week. Some ask employees to complete an internal form modelled on the SC2, while others just want a message before their shift. Where a fit note is needed from day 8, it can cover a wide range of conditions, including stress, anxiety, and other mental health conditions, which are treated the same as physical illness under UK employment law. A fit note can state either that you are "not fit for work" or "may be fit for work" with specific adjustments (such as reduced hours, amended duties, or a phased return); our doctors will discuss which applies to your situation during the assessment rather than defaulting to the stricter option.

If an employer disputes a validly issued fit note, the correct route is not to withhold pay outright but to raise the concern with the employee and, if unresolved, seek guidance from Acas. A fit note issued by a GMC-registered clinician after a genuine assessment is not invalidated simply because the employer would have preferred a different outcome.

1. 1

   Complete assessment

   3-5 minutes. Select your certificate type, confirm the UK as your country, and answer relevant health questions covering your condition, the dates you need covered, and any employer or institution details you'd like included. No payment yet. You're only charged if a certificate is issued.

2. 2

   GMC-registered doctor reviews

   Reviewed against UK requirements during UK business hours (9am-6pm GMT/BST, Monday-Friday). The doctor may request more information through the same portal, or in rare cases advise that your situation needs an in-person examination rather than an online certificate.

3. 3

   Receive your PDF

   Emailed same day, usually within 30 minutes of approval, with doctor credentials, GMC number, and a verification reference your employer, school, or institution can scan to confirm authenticity directly.

Private GP visit costs are typical ranges reported by UK private clinics and vary by location and provider.

The gap between our pricing and a typical private GP visit reflects the difference in overhead between a walk-in clinic appointment and an online assessment. You're paying for the doctor's review and the certificate itself, not a consultation room, receptionist time, or travel. NHS GP appointments are free at the point of use but are not designed to issue same-day private documentation for insurance, travel, or sport, which is why most people in this position turn to a private route regardless of price.

Every UK certificate is reviewed by a doctor registered with the General Medical Council (GMC). Registration numbers are shown on your certificate and can be independently verified on the GMC website. There is no need to take our word for a doctor's credentials when the public register confirms them directly.

A clinician will only issue a certificate after genuinely assessing your case, based on the health information you provide and, where needed, follow-up questions. If a certificate is not clinically appropriate, for example if your case needs an in-person examination or further investigation, the doctor will decline to issue one and you receive a full, automatic refund. We do not operate on a pay-first, questions-later basis: no certificate is guaranteed simply because a request was submitted.

If you ever have a concern about the assessment you received, our complaints process sits alongside, not instead of, your right to raise a concern about a specific doctor directly with the GMC. We would always prefer to resolve a concern ourselves first, but we will never suggest that a GMC-registered clinician's public accountability is somehow replaced by using our service.

Nearby countries

• Ireland
• France
• Netherlands