How it works
From questionnaire to certificate in four steps — with a real doctor making the clinical decision every time.
1. Complete the questionnaire
You'll answer a structured medical questionnaire about your illness: your symptoms, when they started, how they affect your ability to work, and your relevant medical history.
The questionnaire was designed by doctors to gather the same information they'd ask for in a face-to-face consultation. Be honest and complete — the reviewing doctor relies on what you tell us.
2. Pay the application fee
There's one flat fee per application, paid securely by card. You'll always see the exact price before you pay.
If the doctor decides a certificate isn't clinically appropriate, the fee is refunded in full.
3. Doctor reviews your case
An Irish-registered doctor reviews your questionnaire. They may approve a certificate, decline it, or — in some cases — recommend that you see a doctor in person instead.
Every decision is a genuine clinical decision made by the reviewing doctor. Certificates are never issued automatically.
4. Receive your certificate
If approved, your signed sick certificate is made available in your secure SickCert account. You can download it and share it with your employer.
Each certificate carries a unique verification code, so your employer can confirm it's genuine.
What SickCert is not
- It's not an emergency service — call 999 or 112 for urgent medical care.
- It's not a replacement for your GP for ongoing or complex conditions.
- It can't guarantee a certificate — the doctor's clinical judgement decides.