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Extended Sick Note: Rules for Long-Term Sickness

How to extend a sick note, what to do when your 7 days run out, and understanding long-term sickness rules.

Can I self-certify for more than 7 days?

No. You can only self-certify for the first 7 days. To extend your leave beyond day 7, you must get a "Fit Note" (Med 3) from a doctor (GP) or hospital.

Need a note for the first 7 days? You can generate one below.

Create 7-Day Note

What Happens After 7 Days?

If your illness continues past the 7th calendar day (including weekends), your employer is legally entitled to ask for medical evidence to pay you Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).

  • Days 1-7: Self-Certification (Use our generator).
  • Day 8+: Doctor's Fit Note required.

How to "Extend" Your Sick Leave

You cannot strictly "extend" a self-certification note yourself. If you are still sick on day 8:

  1. Contact your GP surgery immediately.
  2. Tell them you have been self-certifying for 7 days and are still unfit to work.
  3. They may issue a Fit Note. They can backdate this to day 8 if there is a delay in appointment.

Gap in Sickness?

If you returned to work for a period and then fell ill again, this counts as a new period of sickness. You can self-certify again for the first 7 days of this new illness.

Self-Certification Form SC2

Employers often mention "Form SC2". This is a standard government form for self-certification. Our generator creates a document that fulfils the same purpose - providing a written, signed declaration of your sickness dates and reason.

Common Questions

My doctor's appointment is in 2 weeks, what do I do?

Tell your employer you have booked an appointment. Your doctor can backdate the note to cover the gap as long as they are satisfied you were ill during that time.

Can I write my own note for 14 days?

You can write it, but your employer is not legally obliged to accept it for SSP purposes after day 7. They likely will not pay you without a doctor's signature.

I have a long-term condition, do I need a note every week?

No, for long-term conditions, doctors can issue Fit Notes for longer periods (e.g., 1 month or "indefinitely"). However, for the very first week of any new absence, a self-certification note is often the first step required by HR to open the sickness record.

Start with a Professional Self-Cert Note

Cover your first 7 days legally and professionally while you wait for a GP appointment.

Create Note Now