No, medical certificates cannot be backdated beyond a clinically justifiable period. Doctors can only certify illness from the date of consultation onward.
By law, doctors can only issue certificates from the date of the consultation onward. However, in some cases, a doctor may note that your illness started earlier based on symptoms.
What’s Allowed?
✅ A doctor may write that your illness began a day or two earlier if symptoms support this.
✅ If you were too unwell to book an appointment, your doctor may include this in your certificate.
What’s Not Allowed?
🚫 You cannot request a certificate for a past date if there is no medical evidence.
🚫 Doctors cannot write false information—this is against medical ethics.
💡 Need proof of past illness? If you missed work but didn’t see a doctor, some employers accept a statutory declaration.
