Self-Certification for Sick Leave Explained: Rules, Forms and How It Works

Self-certification for sick leave is the process by which employees declare their own illness or injury for short-term absence periods without needing to obtain a medical certificate from a doctor. In the UK, the self-certification period covers the first seven days of sickness absence, after which a fit note from a GP is required. Self-certification recognises that many short-term illnesses — such as colds, headaches or mild stomach upsets — do not require medical intervention and that requiring a GP certificate for brief absences places unnecessary strain on both the employee and the NHS.

Key Takeaways

• In the UK, employees can self-certify for the first seven days of sickness absence
• After seven days, a fit note from a GP is required for SSP and absence management purposes
• Self-certification forms are simple documents that record the dates and reason for absence

What Is Self-Certification?

Self-certification is the system that allows employees to report their own sickness absence for a limited period without providing medical evidence. During the self-certification period, the employee completes a form stating that they were unable to work due to illness or injury, specifying the dates of absence and a brief description of the reason. This form is submitted to the employer and serves as the official record of the absence.

The self-certification period in the UK is seven calendar days. This means that for absences of one to seven days inclusive, the employee does not need to see a GP or obtain a fit note. The employer cannot require a medical certificate during this period unless the employment contract or company policy specifically provides for it — and even then, the requirement must be reasonable and not place an unreasonable burden on the employee.

The self-certification form typically includes fields for the employee’s name, department, dates of absence, reason for absence and a declaration that the information is accurate. Many employers use their own internal forms or digital absence reporting systems. The employee signs the form to confirm the accuracy of the information provided.

Self-certification serves several practical purposes. It reduces the demand on GP appointments for minor illnesses, which is particularly important given the pressures on primary care. It also speeds up the absence management process, as employees do not need to wait for a GP appointment to return to work. For employers, it provides a simple and efficient way to record short-term absences without the administrative burden of processing medical certificates.

How Does Self-Certification Work?

United Kingdom

In the UK, self-certification covers the first seven days of sickness absence. During this period, the employee can self-certify by completing a self-certification form (often called a SC2 form, though employers may use their own versions). The form is submitted to the employer on or before the employee’s return to work. After seven consecutive days of absence, the employee must obtain a fit note from their GP. Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is payable from the fourth day of qualifying absence, subject to the employee meeting the eligibility criteria.

Australia

In Australia, the self-certification period varies by award and enterprise agreement. Some awards allow employees to self-certify for up to two days of absence, while others require a statutory declaration or medical certificate from the first day. The Fair Work Act does not mandate a specific self-certification period, leaving it to the terms of the applicable industrial instrument. Many Australian employers require a medical certificate or statutory declaration for absences of two or more consecutive days.

United States

In the US, there is no standard self-certification period for sick leave. Employer policies vary significantly. Some employers require a doctor’s note for any absence, while others allow self-certification for short periods. The FMLA requires medical certification for leave related to serious health conditions, but this is distinct from self-certification for minor illnesses. State paid sick leave laws generally do not require medical evidence for short-term absences.

Self-Certification Rules by Country

Country	Self-Certification Period	Evidence Required	Key Detail
UK	7 days	Self-certification form	Fit note required after 7 days
AU	1-2 days (award-dependent)	Statutory declaration or medical certificate	Varies by award
US	Employer policy dependent	Varies by employer	No standard federal requirement

How to Complete a Self-Certification Form

1. Record your absence dates — note the first and last day of your sickness absence.
2. Complete the form — fill in your name, department, dates of absence and reason for illness.
3. Sign the declaration — confirm that the information is accurate and that you were genuinely unable to work.
4. Submit to your employer — return the form on or before your first day back at work, or as your employer’s policy requires.
5. Keep a copy — retain a copy for your personal records in case of any future queries.

Employer Obligations for Self-Certification

• Accept self-certification — for absences of seven days or fewer in the UK, employers must accept self-certification as sufficient evidence
• Provide the form — ensure that self-certification forms are readily available to employees, whether in paper or digital format
• Process SSP correctly — SSP is payable from the fourth day of qualifying absence, and the self-certification form supports the employer’s SSP records
• Do not require GP certificates early — requiring medical evidence for absences of seven days or fewer is contrary to the self-certification rules and places unnecessary burden on the NHS
• Record the absence accurately — maintain accurate records of self-certified absences for absence management and payroll purposes

Common Mistakes

• Requiring employees to obtain a GP certificate for absences of seven days or fewer, contrary to self-certification rules
• Not providing self-certification forms, leaving employees unsure of how to report their absence
• Treating self-certified absences more harshly than medically certified absences in absence management processes
• Failing to record self-certified absences accurately, leading to incorrect SSP calculations
• Applying absence triggers that include self-certified absences without distinguishing between short and long-term absence

FAQ

What is self-certification for sick leave?

Self-certification is the process by which employees report their own sickness absence without needing a medical certificate. In the UK, employees can self-certify for the first seven days of absence by completing a form that records the dates and reason for their illness.

How many days can I self-certify for?

In the UK, the self-certification period is seven calendar days. For absences of eight days or more, you need a fit note from your GP. In Australia, the self-certification period varies by award, typically one to two days.

Do I need a doctor’s note for one day off?

In the UK, no. For absences of one to seven days, a self-certification form is sufficient and employers cannot require a GP certificate. In Australia and the US, the requirements vary by employer policy and applicable award or legislation.

Is self-certification the same as a statutory declaration?

In Australia, a statutory declaration is a more formal document than a simple self-certification form. Some Australian awards require a statutory declaration for absences of two or more days, while others accept a simple self-certification. Check your award or enterprise agreement for specifics.