It’s easy to apply for a maternity exemption certificate. Speak to your midwife, doctor or health visitor, and they can make an application for you as soon as they confirm that you’re pregnant.
You can also use the certificate as proof that you are entitled to free NHS dental treatment while you are pregnant.
If your midwife, doctor or health visitor applies online for your certificate, you will receive it instantly via email. You can use this straight away to claim free NHS prescriptions. If they fill in a paper application, you’ll receive a paper certificate in the post.
Remember, you should not claim free NHS prescriptions until you receive your maternity exemption certificate. If you claim free NHS prescriptions without holding a valid maternity exemption certificate, you could have to pay a penalty charge of up to £100.
You can continue to use your certificate for free NHS prescriptions if you’ve had a miscarriage or stillbirth.