A UK fit note - the document issued by a GP or hospital doctor confirming a person's fitness for work or stating the nature of a medical condition - may need to be apostilled for overseas use. Overseas employers, insurance companies and foreign authorities may request an apostilled fit note as proof of medical status, particularly where an employee is relocating abroad, applying for overseas insurance or returning to work after illness in another country.

Fit notes signed by a registered doctor

A fit note that carries a wet-ink signature from a registered UK doctor can be submitted directly to the FCDO for apostille. The FCDO can authenticate documents signed by a registered doctor - this is one of the categories of public official whose signature the FCDO holds on record. The apostille is a physical paper certificate attached to the back of the original fit note.

Electronic or unsigned fit notes

Since April 2022, GPs in England have been able to issue fit notes digitally. An electronic fit note does not carry a wet-ink signature and cannot be submitted directly to the FCDO. Where the fit note does not carry a wet-ink signature - even if it is the original document - it must first be certified by a UK solicitor or Notary Public before FCDO submission. The FCDO then authenticates the solicitor's or notary's wet-ink signature, seal or stamp.

When an apostilled fit note is typically required

The most common situations are overseas employers requiring authenticated medical evidence before permitting an employee to start or return to work; foreign insurance companies requiring proof of a pre-existing condition or recent medical event; immigration and residency processes where the receiving authority requires evidence of health status; and foreign legal proceedings where medical evidence from a UK doctor is being submitted.

Requesting a wet-ink signed fit note

If an apostilled fit note is required and the version issued was electronic, it may be worth contacting the issuing GP surgery and requesting a printed version bearing a wet-ink signature. This avoids the additional cost and time of solicitor certification. Not all surgeries will accommodate this request, but it is worth asking before proceeding with the solicitor certification route.

For countries outside the Hague Convention

For Hague Apostille Convention member countries, the apostille is the final step. For countries outside the Convention, embassy attestation is required after the apostille. Call our team on +44 204 646 9400 to confirm the correct route for your fit note and destination.