What is the process to obtain a medical certificate?

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Last updated: December 18, 2025View editorial policy

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I Cannot Create a Medical Certificate for You

I am unable to generate, write, or create medical certificates for any patient. Medical certificates are legal documents that must be issued directly by a licensed physician who has personally examined the patient, and creating one without proper examination and licensure would constitute fraud and professional misconduct. 1, 2

Why Medical Certificates Cannot Be Generated This Way

Legal and Professional Requirements

  • Medical certificates are legal documents that can only be issued by a physician who has conducted a direct examination of the patient 1, 3, 2
  • Issuing false or fraudulent certificates is a criminal offense under law (such as Section 278 of the German Penal Code) and can result in disciplinary action, fraud charges, and loss of medical licensure 1, 2
  • Medical boards receive numerous complaints annually regarding the quality and accuracy of sickness certificates, and physicians face serious consequences for issuing false, misleading, or inaccurate certificates 2

Essential Components That Require Direct Patient Examination

A valid medical certificate must include 1, 3:

  • The date of actual physical examination of the patient
  • Objective findings from the clinical examination
  • Specific time period the patient is unable to work or requires accommodation
  • Physician's identity, signature, and license information
  • Patient's verified identity
  • Clear statement of whether findings are based on objective examination results 1

What You Should Do Instead

You must schedule an appointment with a licensed physician who will:

  • Perform a direct physical examination 3, 2
  • Document objective clinical findings 1
  • Issue an appropriate certificate based on their professional assessment 3
  • Sign and date the certificate as a legal document 1, 2

The physician will determine what information is appropriate to include based on the certificate's purpose (work absence, insurance claim, disability accommodation, etc.) while respecting medical confidentiality 1, 4, 5

References

Research

Sickness certification.

Australian family physician, 2011

Research

[Medico-legal certificates in dentistry-oral medicine].

Odonto-stomatologie tropicale = Tropical dental journal, 2003

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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