In Ireland, "doctor's note" is a casual umbrella term — depending on what it's for, the formal name is a sick cert, a fit-to-work cert, a back-to-work cert, a school absence note, a college medical certificate, or a pre-employment medical. Each goes to a different recipient (employer, HR, school, college admin) and carries different information. Pick the one that matches your situation.
Which note do I need?
Sick certOff work because you're unwell
Standard short-term illness — flu, gastro, migraine, back pain, mental-health day. The certificate names the doctor, the dates, and (where appropriate) the reason. Accepted by Irish employers under the Statutory Sick Leave Act 2022.
Note: Online sick certs are valid for employers but not for Department of Social Protection (DSP) Illness Benefit / IB1 claims — those need an in-person examination.
Get an online sick cert → Fit-to-work certificateReturning to work after illness
Confirms you're medically fit to resume duties after sickness, surgery, or a longer absence. Often requested by HR before you can re-enter the workplace.
Get a fit-to-work cert → Back-to-work certificateReturning after extended sick leave
Similar to fit-to-work but specifically for employees returning after extended sick leave, where HR needs documentation of fitness for the role.
Get a back-to-work cert → School absence noteChild absent from primary or secondary school
Note for the school explaining the child's absence. Most Irish primary and secondary schools accept a parent's written note for short absences but request a doctor's note for longer ones, exam-period absences, or repeated absences.
Get a school absence note → College medical certificateMissed a college exam or assignment
Medical certificate for university or institute-of-technology administration — used for I-grade applications, deferred exams, extension requests, and accommodation requests under fitness-to-sit policies.
Get a college medical cert → Pre-employment medicalPre-employment medical check
A medical assessment requested by an employer before you start a new role — usually a structured form covering medical history, vision, and basic fitness.
Pre-employment medical → How an online doctor's note works
- Pick the right cert — use the cards above to match your situation.
- Book a same-day consultation — €34.99, by video or phone, usually within 1–3 hours.
- Speak with an IMC-registered Online Doctor — the doctor takes your history, asks the questions a clinic would, and decides whether the cert is appropriate.
- Receive the note by email — usually within minutes of the consultation ending. Print, forward to your employer, school, or college, or keep digital.
What the certificate looks like
Each certificate is a PDF on DoxOnCall letterhead with the doctor's full name, IMC registration number, qualifications, signature, and the date of consultation. It states the dates the patient is unfit for work / school / college and (where appropriate) brief clinical context. It's the same document a clinic would issue, delivered by email.
What an online doctor's note can't do
- Department of Social Protection (DSP) Illness Benefit / IB1 — requires an in-person examination by your treating doctor. Online sick certs are not accepted. See the DSP guide.
- Court / legal proceedings — typically require a doctor who has examined you in person and may be asked to give evidence. Always check with your solicitor.
- Some specialist medicals (Garda fitness, HGV/PSV licence, aviation, diving, sports tribunals) — require structured in-person assessments not deliverable online.
Who issues the note?
Every note from DoxOnCall is signed by an Online Doctor on the Irish Medical Council (IMC) register. Each doctor's full name, IMC number, qualifications, and specialty are listed on the Our Doctors page. We don't outsource consultations and we never use non-clinical staff to issue clinical documents.