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Sick (Fit) Notes
Learn how to request a sickness certificate
Request a sick (fit) note
If you’ve been off sick for more than 7 days
If you've been off sick for 7 days or less
If you are off work sick for 7 days or less, your employer should not ask you for a doctor's certificate. You will need a medical certificate if you are off work sick for more than 7 days. The 7 days include days that you don't normally work. So when you work out how long you've been off sick, you should include weekends and bank holidays.
Instead, they can ask you to confirm that you’ve been ill. You can do this by filling in a form yourself when you return to work. We call this self-certification.
Find out more about sick notes
When your sick (fit) note runs out
If your certificate runs out, but you are still sick, you will need to consult the doctor again before you can get a further certificate.
Fit certificates can be back-dated, so it is not necessary to make an emergency appointment to renew your certificate. If you attend an emergency appointment for the purpose of getting a medical certificate, you will be asked to rebook.
Request a sick note extension online
Charges for sick (fit) notes
There is usually no charge for providing a fit note if you are off sick for more than seven days.
Some employers may request a fit note (e.g. from employees who repeatedly take time off sick) even if they are off work for 7 days or less. This is a private non-NHS medical certificate.
For sickness of 7 days or less, a charge of £20 is payable in order for us to provide a certificate.