Confused about fit notes? Discover when they’re required, what they contain, and how they help employees return to work safely.
Last updated: 28 October 2026 | Medically reviewed by Dr Sulaiman Shah, GP (GMC No. 7038832)
In today’s fast-paced world, not everyone has the time or ability to attend a GP surgery in person. Whether you need proof of illness for work, a letter for university, or documentation for travel, a medical letter is often required. The good news is that you can now get one online. If you have ever wondered how to get a medical letter from a doctor without visiting a clinic, this guide explains how it works, what it costs and what to check before you apply.
Short answer: You can get a medical letter from a GMC-registered UK doctor without visiting a clinic. You book an online video consultation, explain what the letter is for, and, if the doctor can clinically support it, receive a signed letter by email as a PDF.
A medical letter (also called a doctor’s letter, GP letter or private medical letter) is a signed document written by a qualified doctor to confirm facts about your health, treatment or medical needs. It can be used for various purposes, including:
Letters for third parties are classed as private work outside the NHS GP contract. That is why many NHS surgeries charge for them and can take some time to produce them. Traditionally, you would need to contact your GP surgery, wait for a response, explain what you need and often pay a fee. With online healthcare, the process is much quicker and more convenient.
A medical letter is not the same thing as a medical certificate. If you are not sure which one you need, read our guide to medical letters vs medical certificates.
If you are wondering how to get a medical letter from a doctor online, the process at The GP Clinic is simple:
Because a doctor assesses you directly, the letter is genuine, professional and more likely to be accepted.
When researching how to get a medical letter from a doctor, it helps to know what types are available. These are some of the most common letters and certificates available from The GP Clinic (prices correct at 28 October 2026):
| Letter | Common use | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sick (Fit) Note for Work | Confirming illness or inability to work | £45 |
| Employee Fitness to Work Medical | Confirming you are fit to return to work after illness or surgery | £45 |
| Student Sick Leave Letter | Supporting illness-related absence from classes or lectures | £39 |
| Student Mitigation Letter | University extensions, deferrals and mitigating circumstances | £89 |
| Travel with Medication Letter | Carrying prescription medicines abroad | £39 |
| Emergency Cancellation Letter for Travel | Airlines, insurers and holiday providers | £45 |
| Injury and Accident Confirmation Certificate | Confirming an injury or accident | £45 |
| Specialist Referral | A private referral letter for further assessment, if appropriate | £45 |
| Disability Medical Certificate | Supporting PIP, Access to Work and workplace adjustment applications | £45 |
| Medical Letter for a Blue Badge | Supporting a Blue Badge application | £45 |
You can see every option on our medical certificates and letters page.
Letters for insurance claims and proof of illness. If you need a doctor’s letter to support an insurance claim or to prove an illness, tell the doctor who the letter is for and what the recipient requires. The doctor can only confirm what they have assessed and what the evidence supports. For cancelled trips and events, our Event and Activity Cancellation Certificate and the Emergency Cancellation Letter for Travel above are designed for those situations. Always check your insurer’s requirements before you book.
The cost of a medical letter depends on who writes it. NHS GP surgeries treat letters as private work, so fees are set by each practice and vary by letter type. Online services usually charge a fixed price for each letter, shown before you book.
At The GP Clinic, an online GP consultation costs £45 and can include a fit note or referral letter where it is clinically appropriate. Other letters have their own fixed prices, from £39 for a Student Sick Leave Letter or Travel with Medication Letter up to £89 for a Student Mitigation Letter. The price for each letter is shown on its page.
Since not all providers are the same, you should carefully select where to get your medical letter. Consider the following:
Yes, it is legal. A medical letter issued by a GMC-registered UK doctor online is a genuine medical document, and there is no UK law that makes it less valid than a letter from a surgery. In practice, acceptance is decided by the organisation asking for it. Employers, universities and insurers should accept a letter that includes the following:
It is always best to check with the organisation requesting the letter, especially if they have specific requirements or their own form. For work, you can usually self-certify for the first 7 days of sickness, so a doctor’s note is normally needed only for longer absences (see GOV.UK guidance on Statutory Sick Pay). For more on fit notes, see our guides to GP sick notes and fit notes.
An online letter is not right for every situation. A doctor can only write what they can clinically support, so you may not be able to get a letter if:
If you are still unsure how to get a medical letter from a doctor without attending a clinic, here are the main advantages:
Getting a medical letter no longer has to be a stressful or time-consuming task. Thanks to online healthcare, you can obtain the documents you need quickly and securely. If you are wondering how to get a medical letter from a doctor without visiting a clinic, the answer is simple: use a regulated online GP service where a GMC-registered doctor speaks to you.
Whether you need a sick note for work, a university absence letter or medical confirmation for travel, our UK doctors can support you without the hassle of stepping into a surgery. Book an online GP appointment or browse all medical letters and certificates.
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. In a medical emergency, call 999 or NHS 111. This service is not for emergencies.
Yes. You can book a video consultation with a GMC-registered UK doctor, explain what the letter is for and receive it by email as a signed PDF if the doctor can clinically support it. No clinic visit is needed.
You can often speak to a doctor in as little as 30 minutes, and many letters are issued the same day once you have been assessed. Letters that need supporting documents, or more detail, can take longer.
At The GP Clinic, an online GP consultation is £45 and individual letters range from £39 to £89 depending on the type. NHS surgeries set their own fees for private letters, which vary by practice.
Most organisations accept a signed letter from a GMC-registered doctor that includes the doctor’s details, GMC number and the date. The final decision belongs to the organisation, so check whether it has specific wording or form requirements before you book.
No. A genuine medical letter reflects an assessment by a doctor. Services that issue letters from a questionnaire alone, with no consultation, are more likely to be rejected.
No. You must be physically in the UK at the time of your appointment and aged 18 or over. All consultations and documents are provided in English.
No. A clinic letter is usually written by a hospital specialist to your GP after an outpatient appointment. A medical letter is written by a doctor for you to give to a third party, such as an employer, university or insurer.
Contact your surgery through its online form or reception, say who the letter is for and what it must confirm, and ask about the fee and timescale. Because it is private work, some surgeries charge and it can take several weeks.
