Skip to main content Skip to footer

Digital maternity exemption service

If you're a midwife, practice nurse, or health visitor you can register online to issue maternity exemption certificates.

Mothers will get their digital exemption certificate straight away if they give you an email address.

To register online you'll need:

  • to be on the NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR)
  • an email address with a secure service, such as NHSmail

We will check this for you when you register. 

Register

If you're already registered, sign in to issue certificates.

Sign inRead more about this service in our NHS maternity exemption certificate guidance (PDF: 134KB).

Registering if you're not on ESR

You can still register to use this service if you're a midwife, practice nurse or health visitor and have an email address with an organisation that:

Ask your IT department if your organisation’s email meets these requirements. We’ll also check this for you.

To register, email healthcosts@nhsbsa.nhs.uk and include your:

  • name
  • NMC PIN
  • organisational email address

We'll use these details to verify your professional identity.

We'll email you to confirm when you are registered. You’ll then be able to use the online service.

Registering if you're a GP

GPs cannot currently self-register online for this service. If you're a GP, you can still use this service if you have an email address with an organisation that:

Ask your IT department if your organisation’s email meets these requirements. We’ll also check this for you.

To register, email healthcosts@nhsbsa.nhs.uk and include your:

  • name
  • GMC reference number
  • organisational email address

We'll use these details to verify your professional identity.

We'll email you to confirm when you are registered. You’ll then be able to use the online service.

If you change roles or leave the NHS

If you no longer need to use the service email healthcosts@nhsbsa.nhs.uk.

How the digital process works

Complete the online application form. If the mother is with you, ask them to check their details are correct before submitting.

If they give you an email address, they will get their digital certificate by email straight away.

Watch our video on how the digital process works if the mother has an email address on YouTube

If they do not have an email address, they will get their certificate in the post within 10 working days.

Watch our video on how the digital process works if the mother does not have an email address on YouTube​​​​

If you cannot register for this service

If you are a midwife, doctor, or health visitor you can still issue maternity exemption certificates by completing the paper FW8 form.