Medical Certificate Format – Sick Leave & Fitness PDF

How to use the Medical Certificate

Enter the certificate type, such as Medical Certificate or Fitness Certificate.
Fill in patient details, diagnosis and the rest period.
Add the doctor's name, registration number and clinic.
Download, print, and have the doctor sign and stamp it.

Who can issue a medical certificate?

A medical certificate is valid only when issued by a registered medical practitioner after examining the patient, with the doctor’s signature, registration number and stamp. This page provides a clean format that clinics and doctors can fill in quickly. Patients should not issue certificates to themselves; using a fake medical certificate is illegal and can lead to disciplinary or legal action.

Types of certificates

Sick leave certificate: confirms illness and advises rest for a period, for employers, schools or colleges.
Fitness certificate: confirms the person is fit to resume work, join a job, travel or take part in sports.
Medical certificate for exams: for missed exams or attendance shortfalls due to illness.

What the format includes

Clinic or hospital name and the date.
Patient’s name, age and gender.
Diagnosis or condition, as the doctor considers appropriate to disclose.
Period of rest advised, and the date the patient is fit to resume duties.
Doctor’s name, registration number, signature and stamp.

Tips for doctors and clinics

Print on the clinic letterhead or add the clinic name at the top. Keep a copy for your records. Disclose only as much diagnosis detail as the patient consents to share with an employer or institution.

For patients

Take this format to your doctor if their clinic doesn’t have one. For writing the leave request itself, use the leave application generator. If you’re a student worried about attendance, check where you stand with the attendance calculator. The document is generated in your browser only.

Quick answers

Does it need the clinic’s registration details? The doctor’s medical council registration number is the key detail; clinic registration may also be shown on the letterhead. Can a certificate be backdated? Doctors should state the actual examination date and the period of illness they can verify. Is a telemedicine certificate valid? Some employers accept certificates after a teleconsultation; check their policy.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make my own medical certificate?

No. It must be issued, signed and stamped by a registered doctor after examining you.

What must a medical certificate include?

Patient details, condition, rest period, and the doctor's name, registration number, signature and stamp.

What is a fitness certificate?

A doctor's certificate confirming you're fit to work, join, travel or play sport.

Is a digital copy valid?

Many employers accept a scanned signed certificate, but some require the original.