(Philippine legal context)

TL;DR

A medical certificate itself doesn’t need to be notarized to be valid. It is a private document signed by the physician.
If you want it “notarized,” you have three different things in mind:
1. Notarizing the doctor’s statement (the physician personally executes and signs before a notary);
2. Notarizing an affidavit by the patient/relative/employer that merely attaches the certificate; or
3. Notarial copy certification (a notary certifies a photocopy as a faithful copy of the original).
A “certified true copy” from the hospital/clinic is not always required, but some agencies/courts insist on it and will not accept a notarial copy certification.
If you only have a photocopy/scanned copy and no original, a notary generally cannot copy-certify it.

1) What a Medical Certificate Is (and Isn’t)

A medical certificate (MC) is a private document signed by a licensed physician, typically stating diagnosis, treatment, fitness for work, or incapacity dates. It is valid as a private document without notarization. Notarization does not make the medical facts “truer”; it only changes the document’s legal character (e.g., from private to notarized) or the evidentiary mode of presentation.

Key point: Agencies ask for “notarized” paperwork not because the medical certificate is otherwise invalid, but to add formality or an oath to someone’s statement (often the patient’s), or to ensure the copy handling chain is reliable.

2) The Four Notarial Acts Relevant Here

Under the Rules on Notarial Practice (RNP), the notary may perform:

Acknowledgment – affiant acknowledges they executed a document (e.g., the doctor acknowledges the medical certificate as theirs).
Jurat – affiant swears to the truth of a statement in the notary’s presence (e.g., the doctor swears the contents are true).
Oath/Affirmation – general oath.
Copy Certification – notary certifies that a copy is a faithful reproduction of an original presented to the notary; typically not allowed for public records or documents that are publicly recordable in an official registry (those must be certified by the custodian).

3) Three Common Scenarios (and What Works)

A) “Please notarize the medical certificate itself.”

Legally possible only if the physician personally appears before the notary with competent ID and signs (jurat) or acknowledges their signature (acknowledgment).
If the certificate was previously signed at the clinic, the notary cannot simply stamp it later without the doctor’s personal appearance; that would be an irregular/void notarization.
Many physicians prefer to sign a short Sworn Medical Statement (an affidavit) and attach the clinic-issued medical certificate as Annex “A.” This is clean and compliant.

B) “We just need something notarized for HR/court/insurer; can the patient notarize it?”

Yes. The patient (or employer/relative) may execute a sworn affidavit narrating the relevant facts (e.g., dates of illness/absence) and attach the medical certificate as Annex “A.”
The affidavit is what’s notarized, not the medical certificate. The notary does not (and should not) attest to the medical truth—only to the fact that the affiant took an oath.

C) “We only need a ‘notarized copy’ of the MC.”

If you have the original MC in hand, a notary may perform a copy certification, comparing the original and photocopy and certifying the photocopy as a faithful copy.
If you do not have the original (only a photocopy or scan), the notary generally must refuse copy certification; they cannot certify a copy they cannot compare to an original.
Limits: Certain agencies (e.g., courts on formal offer of evidence, DFA, PRC, POEA/DMW, some insurers/SSS/GSIS/PhilHealth processes) may specifically require a “certified true copy” from the custodian (the hospital/clinic records office), not a notarial copy certification. You must follow the receiving office’s rule.

4) Is a “Certified True Copy” Required?

Not by default. The RNP allows notarial copy certification of private documents (like an MC) when the original is presented.

However, receiving institutions can impose stricter filing rules. Many will accept:

Original MC; or
Notarized affidavit with MC attached; or
Notarial copy certification from original.

But some require “Certified True Copy” (CTC) by the hospital/clinic—especially if they treat the MC as part of official medical records or need chain-of-custody assurance. In that case, only the custodian (records office) can issue the CTC, often with official dry seal and signatory authority.

5) Data Privacy and Access to Medical Records

Medical information is sensitive personal information under the Data Privacy Act. Clinics/hospitals usually require:

Proof of identity;
Patient’s written consent/authorization for release (or proof of authority for minors/estates); and
Their internal request form/fees for CTCs. Expect processing time and identity checks before a CTC is released.

6) Evidentiary Weight in Court/Administrative Agencies

A medical certificate, as a private document, proves its due execution and authenticity against the person who signed it; its contents (medical conclusions) may still require the physician’s testimony if contested.
A notarized affidavit by the patient does not convert the medical statements into expert evidence; it only places the patient’s statements under oath.
For serious disputes (e.g., injury, incapacity), agencies/courts may require the doctor to testify or may prefer a medico-legal report from a forensic physician.

7) Remote/Place Limits and Practicalities

The notary’s authority is typically limited to the city/province of commission; the personal appearance of the affiant (doctor or patient) is the general rule.
Some limited video-conferencing rules have existed, but practice still centers on in-person identification and live signing. Always verify a notary’s current requirements (government-issued ID, thumbprint, competent evidence of identity).

8) Red Flags (When a Notary Should Say “No”)

Request to notarize a previously signed MC without the doctor’s personal appearance (for jurat/acknowledgment).
Request to copy-certify a photocopy/scan without the original.
Request to certify true copy of public records (e.g., PSA civil registry, court documents)—that must be done by the official custodian, not a notary.
Incomplete IDs, dubious signatures, or consent/privacy issues for medical documents.

9) Practical Playbook

If you are the patient/relative/employer and you:

Have the original MC and the receiving office accepts notarized copies: → Ask a notary for copy certification. Bring the original, a photocopy, and IDs.
Need a sworn statement for HR/claims: → Execute a Notarized Affidavit describing facts (dates of illness/incapacity, absence, benefits claim) and attach the MC as Annex “A.”
Need the medical certificate itself notarized: → Request the physician to appear before a notary to sign under jurat or acknowledge their signature, or to issue a Sworn Medical Statement with the MC as an annex.
Only have a scan/photocopy and the office wants a certified copy: → Request a Certified True Copy from the hospital/clinic records office (bring authorization if you’re not the patient).
Unsure what the recipient wants: → Ask the receiving office exactly which of the following they accept: (a) original MC, (b) notarized affidavit with MC attached, (c) notarial copy certification from original, or (d) CTC from hospital/clinic.

10) Templates (Ready to Use)

A) Patient’s Sworn Affidavit (with Annex “A”)

AFFIDAVIT

I, [Full Name], of legal age, [civil status], with address at [address], after having been duly sworn, state:

1. I am the patient concerned in the attached Medical Certificate dated [date] issued by Dr. [Name] of [Clinic/Hospital].
2. On [dates], I was diagnosed/treated for [condition], resulting in [incapacity/absence] from [start date] to [end date].
3. This affidavit is executed to support [purpose: HR leave/insurance/claim/administrative filing].

Attached as Annex “A” is a copy of the said Medical Certificate.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this [date] in [City/Province], Philippines.

[Affiant’s signature over printed name]
Government-issued ID: [Type/No./Date/Place]
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this [date] at [place], affiant exhibiting the above ID.

B) Physician’s Sworn Medical Statement (Jurat; MC Attached)

SWORN MEDICAL STATEMENT

I, Dr. [Full Name], Filipino, licensed physician (PRC No. [number]), with clinic at [address], after having been duly sworn, state:

1. I personally examined [Patient Name] on [dates].
2. Based on my examination and records, the patient was diagnosed with [diagnosis], requiring [treatment/rest] from [start] to [end].
3. The attached Medical Certificate dated [date] forms part of this statement as Annex “A.”

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this [date] in [City/Province], Philippines.

[Physician’s signature over printed name]
PRC ID: [No./validity]
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this [date] at [place], affiant exhibiting the above ID.

C) Notarial Copy-Certification Clause (for use by a notary)

COPY CERTIFICATION

I certify that the document attached hereto is a true copy of the original Medical Certificate dated [date] issued by Dr. [Name], which was presented to me and compared by me with the said original.

Executed this [date] at [City/Province], Philippines.

[Notary Public’s name and details]

Bottom Line

Yes, a doctor’s medical certificate can be involved in notarization without a hospital-issued certified true copy, if what you need is: (1) a notarized affidavit that merely attaches the MC; or (2) a notarial copy certification from the original MC; or (3) the doctor’s own sworn/acknowledged statement before a notary.
No, if you only have a photocopy/scan and want a notary to “certify” it without the original, or if the receiving office specifically requires a CTC from the clinic/hospital. In those cases, get the CTC from the custodian.