Alex Denne
Growth @ Genie AI | Introduction to Contracts @ UCL Faculty of Laws | Serial Founder

Generate a Sick Note Via Self Certification Form

23 Mar 2023
30 min
Text Link

Note: Want to skip the guide and go straight to the free templates? No problem - scroll to the bottom.
Also note: This is not legal advice.

Introduction

Generating a sick note via a self-certification form is an essential requirement for individuals who need to provide evidence of their illness or injury to employers, tax authorities and other institutions. At Genie AI, we understand how important it is to have a self-certification form in place and so the Genie AI team has created the world’s largest open source legal template library. Millions of data points have been analysed by our AI software to create market-standard forms that can be used without requiring you to hire a lawyer.

The primary purpose of having such a form is for employers to satisfy their legal obligations towards employees who are ill or injured and cannot perform their job duties. It also serves as evidence which could be used in legal proceedings or taxation cases if needed. Having this form helps employers verify the authenticity of an employee’s claim and collect any necessary evidence in order to protect themselves from potential liability. This form can also be used by those who are self-employed, providing them with proof that they were indeed ill or injured when claiming tax deductions - preventing any fraudulent activity and enabling them to benefit from the deductions allowed by law.

At Genie AI, we want everyone to have access to high quality legal documents without having to pay expensive lawyers fees, which is why we’ve created our comprehensive template library containing market-standard self certification forms. We offer step-by-step guidance on how you can use these templates and access our library today - all entirely free of charge! So don’t hesitate - read on below for more information on how you can access our template library today!

Definitions (feel free to skip)

Self-Certification Form - A document used for providing evidence of illness for taxation or employment purposes, typically completed by the person requiring the evidence and submitted to the relevant organization or department.

Taxation - A system of collecting money from individuals and companies by a government in order to fund public services.

Employment - A job with a salary, usually requiring a contract that specifies the employee’s duties and obligations.

Relevant Organisation - A company or organization that is relevant to the particular situation being discussed.

Department - A division of a company or organization that is responsible for a specific set of tasks.

In-person - Face-to-face interaction in a physical location.

By mail - Sending something through the postal service.

Collect - To gather or accumulate something.

Double check - To check something twice to make sure it is correct.

Submit - To give something to someone in order to be considered or acted upon.

Rejected - Not accepted.

Research - The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.

Confirmation - A declaration that something is true or correct.

Delay - To cause something to take longer than expected.

Follow-up - To take further action after an event or action has already taken place.

Print out - To produce a physical copy of something from a computer or other device.

Save - To store or keep something for future use.

Contents

  • What is a self-certification form?
  • How to determine whether you need to produce a self-certification form.
  • What information is required on the form.
  • Where to obtain a self-certification form
  • Online
  • In-person
  • By mail
  • How to complete a self-certification form
  • Collect the required information
  • Fill in the form with the correct information
  • Double check to make sure all information is correct
  • How to submit a self-certification form
  • Online
  • In-person
  • By mail
  • What to do if your self-certification form is rejected
  • Contact the relevant department for more information
  • How to find out more information about self-certification forms
  • Research online
  • Contact the relevant department
  • How to keep a copy of the self-certification form for your records
  • Print out a physical copy
  • Save a digital copy
  • How to follow-up after submitting the self-certification form
  • Check for a confirmation of receipt
  • Contact the relevant department if there’s a delay

Get started

What is a self-certification form?

  • A self-certification form is a document that allows individuals to certify that they are ill or unable to work.
  • This form is typically used to provide evidence to an employer that the employee needs to take time off due to ill health.
  • The form must be completed by the employee and the employer, and must include details such as the employee’s name, address, start and end date of leave, and the reason for the leave.
  • Once the form is completed, it can be used to generate a sick note or other evidence of illness for the employee to present to their employer.
  • Once this step has been completed, you can move on to the next step which is how to determine if you need to produce a self-certification form.

How to determine whether you need to produce a self-certification form.

  • Check with the company that you are employed by to determine their policy for sick leave.
  • Read the terms and conditions of your employment contract to ensure that you are aware of the conditions of taking sick leave.
  • Obtain a medical certificate from a qualified health professional if the company requires a medical assessment before granting a period of sick leave.
  • If you are unable to obtain a medical certificate, you may be able to use a self-certification form.
  • Determine whether the company has a policy for self-certification forms and if they accept them.
  • Check off this step once you have confirmed that you need to generate a self-certification form.

What information is required on the form.

  • Carefully read and understand the instructions provided with the form.
  • Gather the necessary information to complete the form, such as your name, address, contact number, and other personal details.
  • Provide the details of your illness or injury on the form.
  • Include the dates you have been absent from work due to illness or injury.
  • Ensure that the form is signed and dated.
  • Make a copy of the form for your records.

Once you have gathered the necessary information and completed the form, you can check this off your list and move on to the next step.

Where to obtain a self-certification form

• Visit the official website of your country’s government or healthcare provider to download the self-certification form.
• Ensure that the form you are downloading is the most up-to-date version.
• Check the form for any additional requirements or instructions and be sure to read them thoroughly.
• After downloading the form, print it out and fill it in.
• Once you have filled in all the required information, you are ready to submit the form to your doctor or employer.
• You will know when you have completed this step when the form has been submitted.

Online

  • Go to the website of the government of the country you are in and look for the ““Self Certification”” form.
  • Fill out the form with your personal and contact information, as well as any other required information.
  • Submit the form online.
  • Check your email for a confirmation that your form has been received and is being processed.
  • Once you receive the confirmation, you can check this step off your list and move on to the next step: In-person.

In-person

  • Visit your local doctor’s office and request a sick note via a self-certification form.
  • Fill out the self-certification form, providing details of your illness and the number of days that you will need the sick note for.
  • Submit the form to your doctor’s office and wait for confirmation that your request has been processed.
  • Once you have received confirmation of your request, the sick note will be ready for collection.
  • Once you have collected the sick note, you will have completed this step.

By mail

  • Obtain a self-certification form from your doctor’s office or request one online
  • Fill out the form with your personal information, doctor’s contact information, and other relevant information
  • Include any documentation needed to verify the illness, such as a lab report or hospital bill
  • Sign and date the form
  • Mail the form to your doctor’s office
  • Wait for the doctor to verify the form and mail you the sick note

You can check this off your list when you have mailed the form to your doctor’s office.

How to complete a self-certification form

  • Obtain a self-certification form from your employer or doctor
  • Fill out the form with the required information, such as your name, address, date of illness and date of expected return to work
  • Include a detailed description of your illness or injury
  • Sign and date the form
  • When you have completed the form and signed it, you can check off this step and move on to the next step of submitting the form.

Collect the required information

  • Gather the personal information you will need to fill out the form such as your name, address, and contact details
  • Also, prepare your doctor’s contact information and the dates of your illness
  • You will also need to provide the name of your employer and the dates you were supposed to work
  • When you have collected all of the necessary information, you can check this off your list and move on to the next step.

Fill in the form with the correct information

  • Gather all of the required information such as name, address, date of birth, and contact information
  • Enter all of the required information into the form
  • Make sure that all of the information is accurate and up to date
  • Double check to make sure that all of the information has been entered correctly
  • When you have filled in the form with the correct information, you can move on to the next step of double checking to make sure that all of the information is correct.

Double check to make sure all information is correct

  • Carefully read through the form to make sure all required fields are filled in and that all your information is up to date
  • Compare the information on the form to the original documents and double check details such as dates, spelling, and other details
  • Make sure you have all the necessary supporting documents ready to be attached when submitting the form
  • When you are confident that all the information is correct, you can move on to the next step in the guide: How to submit a self-certification form.

How to submit a self-certification form

• If you are submitting your self-certification form online:

  • Gather the required information such as your name and address, the date of the period of illness, and any other relevant information.
  • Enter the information into the online form
  • Submit the form
    • If you are submitting your self-certification form by mail:
  • Gather the required information such as your name and address, the date of the period of illness, and any other relevant information.
  • Fill out the form and sign it
  • Send the form in an envelope to the relevant address

You will know when you can check this off your list and move on to the next step when you have successfully submitted your self-certification form in either format.

Online

  • Download the self-certification form from the government website or your employer’s.
  • Fill out the form with the relevant details, such as the start and end dates of the illness, the name and contact information of the treating doctor, and any other required information.
  • Submit the completed form online to your employer or the government.
  • Once the form is successfully submitted, you’ll receive a confirmation email or message confirming that the form was received.
  • You can now move on to the next step, which is submitting the form in-person.

In-person

  • Visit your doctor in person to receive an official sick note.
  • Ask your doctor to fill out the self-certification form with the required information.
  • Ensure that the form is signed and dated before you leave the doctor’s office.
  • Once you have the signed form, you can check this step off your list and move on to the next step.

By mail

  • Obtain a self-certification form from your doctor or online.
  • Fill out the form completely and include all the necessary information.
  • Mail the self-certification form to your employer or to the relevant authority.
  • Keep a copy of the form for your records.
  • You will know when to move on to the next step when you receive a confirmation from your employer or the relevant authority that your self-certification form has been received and approved.

What to do if your self-certification form is rejected

  • Contact the relevant department to inquire why the self-certification form was rejected.
  • Ask for any further information or documents that may be required.
  • Provide any necessary information or documents requested by the relevant department.
  • If approved, the relevant department will issue a sick note.
  • When you have received the sick note, you can check this step off your list and move on to the next step.

Contact the relevant department for more information

  • Contact your employer’s Human Resources department to find out more about their process for submitting a self-certification form and generating a sick note.
  • Ask any questions you may have about the process, such as how long it will take for the form to be processed and how you will know when it is approved.
  • Your HR representative should be able to provide you with the necessary contact information to reach out to if you have any further questions.
  • When you have the answers to your questions and have a better understanding of the process, you can check this step off your list and move on to the next step.

How to find out more information about self-certification forms

  • Contact your local healthcare provider or medical clinic to ask about any available self-certification forms
  • Ask your employer, if applicable, if they provide a self-certification form
  • Look online for reputable websites that provide information on self-certification forms
  • When you have obtained all the necessary information, check this step off your list and move on to the next one.

Research online

  • Visit the official website of the relevant department
  • Look for information about self-certification forms
  • Read any instructions, requirements, and guidelines
  • Look for any FAQs or other resources
  • When you are confident you have all the necessary information, you can check this step off your list and move on to the next step.

Contact the relevant department

  • Contact your local doctor’s office or the appropriate department in your workplace to get the Self-Certification form.
  • Ask for further instructions on how to fill out the form.
  • Confirm the contact information and instructions you have received.
  • Once you have contacted the relevant department and received instructions on how to fill out the Self-Certification form, you can check this off your list and move on to the next step.

How to keep a copy of the self-certification form for your records

  • Save the self-certification form as a PDF file on your computer
  • Make a hard copy of the form and store it safely
  • Once you have saved the form and have a physical copy, you can check this off your list and move on to the next step.

Print out a physical copy

  • Obtain a copy of the self-certification form
  • Print out a physical copy of the form
  • Ensure the printer is set to print out on A4 paper
  • Check that the printed form is clear and legible
  • Once printed, you can check this step off your list and move on to the next step.

Save a digital copy

  • Open the self-certification form and click ‘File’ at the top of the page
  • Select ‘Save As’ and choose the directory to save the file in
  • Name the file and click ‘Save’
  • The file will be saved to the specified folder, confirming that you have your digital copy
  • You can check this off your list and move on to the next step - How to follow-up after submitting the self-certification form

How to follow-up after submitting the self-certification form

  • Contact your employer via email or telephone to confirm that the form has been received
  • Ask if there is a deadline for when the note should be returned to you
  • Re-confirm the email address or postal address that you should send the sick note to
  • Follow up with your employer periodically to ensure that the note is being processed
  • When your employer confirms that the note has been received and is being processed, you can check this off your list and move on to the next step.

Check for a confirmation of receipt

  • Check your email inbox for a confirmation of receipt
  • If you have not received a confirmation of receipt within 24-48 hours, contact the relevant department
  • Make sure to include your full name and any other information they may need to locate your form
  • You will know that you have completed this step when you have received a confirmation of receipt from the relevant department

Contact the relevant department if there’s a delay

• Contact the relevant department via phone or email to inform them if there’s a delay in receiving the Self Certification Form.
• Provide the relevant department with the specific details of the delay and ask for their assistance.
• Note down the contact information of the person you spoke with and the date and time of the conversation.
• You will know you can check this off your list when the relevant department acknowledges your request and agrees to assist you in the delay.

FAQ:

Q: Is a self-certification form legally binding?

Asked by Jacob on Feb 15th 2022.
A: A self-certification form can be legally binding, depending on the jurisdiction it is used in and the rules of the organization requesting the form. It is important to ensure that any self-certification form you use is compliant with local laws and regulations. In some cases, the form may need to be signed by a witness in order to be considered legally binding. It is advisable to consult with a lawyer before submitting a self-certification form.

Q: What are the implications if I do not return my self-certification form?

Asked by Abigail on Sep 16th 2022.
A: The implications of not returning a self-certification form will depend on the organization requesting it. Generally speaking, failure to comply with the request could result in disciplinary action or other legal consequences, depending on the jurisdiction and industry you are operating in. It is important to consult with a lawyer before submitting a self-certification form, as they can provide advice on how best to comply with local regulations and laws.

Q: Can I submit a self-certification form for sick leave if I am employed in the EU?

Asked by Joshua on Jun 20th 2022.
A: Depending on your particular country or region, you may be able to submit a self-certification form for sick leave. The rules and regulations of each individual country or region will vary, so it is important to check with local authorities before submitting a self-certification form for sick leave in the EU. In some cases, you may need to provide additional documentation or obtain a medical certificate from a doctor in order to receive sick leave benefits.

Q: How do I generate a valid self-certification form?

Asked by Emily on Aug 12th 2022.
A: To generate a valid self-certification form, you will need to follow the instructions provided by the organization requesting it. Depending on the jurisdiction and industry you are operating in, there may be specific rules and regulations that must be followed when creating and submitting the form. It is important to ensure that all information provided is accurate and up-to-date, as incorrect information could result in legal or disciplinary action. Additionally, it may be necessary to have the form witnessed in order for it to be considered legally binding.

Q: Is there an online tool for generating a self-certification form?

Asked by Ava on Oct 28th 2022.
A: While there are various online tools available for generating self-certification forms, it is important to ensure that these tools are compliant with local laws and regulations before using them. Additionally, some organizations may require specific forms or documentation which cannot be generated using an online tool. It is advisable to check with local authorities before using any online tools for generating self-certification forms.

Q: What type of information should I include on my self-certification form?

Asked by Liam on Jul 31st 2022.
A: The type of information required on your self-certification form will depend on its purpose and the jurisdiction you are operating in. Generally speaking, most forms will require basic information such as your name, address, contact details and date of birth, as well as details about your illness or injury (if applicable). Additionally, some forms may require further information such as medical records or proof of identity, depending on the nature of your illness or injury and local laws and regulations.

Q: Are there any risks associated with submitting a self-certification form?

Asked by Sophia on Jan 5th 2022.
A: There are several risks associated with submitting a self-certification form which should be considered before doing so. Firstly, incorrect or falsified information provided on the form could result in legal or disciplinary action from both employers and government bodies depending on the jurisdiction you are operating in. Additionally, providing too much information can leave you vulnerable to identity theft or other malicious cyber activity; therefore it is advisable to only include essential details when completing your forms. Finally, it is important to ensure that any documents submitted via email or other digital platforms are encrypted for added security measures.

Q: Who can witness my self-certification form?

Asked by Noah on Mar 23rd 2022
A: Depending on your particular jurisdiction and industry sector, there may be specific rules regarding who can witness your self-certification form; however generally speaking it must be witnessed by someone who is not related or connected to you personally or professionally (such as friends and family). A lawyer or qualified professional such as an accountant may also be able to witness your forms if necessary; however this too will depend on local laws and regulations so it is important to double check before signing anything legally binding documents such as this one.

Q: What happens if my employer disputes my self-certificated sickness?

Asked by Emma on Apr 1st 2022
A: If your employer disputes your self-certificated sickness then they have the right to request additional documentation such as medical records or proof of identity before accepting it as valid evidence. Depending on their particular policies they may also choose to take disciplinary action against you if they feel that you have misled them regarding your illness or injury; therefore it is important to ensure that all information provided is accurate and up-to-date when completing your forms before submitting them for review by your employer.

Q: Is there any way I can avoid having to use a self- certification form?

Asked by Olivia on Dec 18th 2022
A: In some jurisdictions it may be possible for employees to avoid having to use a self certification form if they are able to provide alternative evidence of their illness such as medical records from a doctor or other qualified professional; however this will vary from country to country so it is important to check with local authorities first before attempting this option in order to avoid any legal repercussions down the line. Additionally, some employers may have specific policies which require employees to submit certain documents regardless of their illness status; therefore it is best practice to consult with them prior making any decisions regarding what evidence should be submitted upon taking sick leave from work.

Example dispute

Possible Lawsuits Involving Self Certification Forms

  • In some cases, a plaintiff may raise a lawsuit referencing a self-certification form if the form was not properly filled out or if there was a violation of the regulations set out in the form.
  • For example, if a self-certification form is required for a project and the contractor fails to fill it out properly, then that contractor may be held liable for any damages caused by their failure to do so.
  • In addition, if the contractor also fails to adhere to the regulations set out in the form, then they may be held liable for any resulting damages.
  • In some cases, a plaintiff may be able to seek damages for any losses suffered due to the contractor’s failure to properly fill out or adhere to the form.
  • Settlement of such a lawsuit may be reached through negotiation, or a court may order the contractor to pay damages if applicable.
  • If damages are awarded, the amount of such damages may be calculated based on any losses suffered as a result of the contractor’s failure to properly fill out or adhere to the form.

Templates available (free to use)

Interested in joining our team? Explore career opportunities with us and be a part of the future of Legal AI.

Related Posts

Show all