Before starting nursery or school, or signing up for swimming or a sports club, a child is usually asked for a medical certificate. It is issued quickly, provided you know a few things in advance.
Types of certificate
- a certificate for admission to nursery or school;
- a certificate for the swimming pool;
- a certificate for sport and clubs;
- a certificate after an illness — confirming that the child can return to a group setting.
Check the institution's requirements
Requirements for the form and content of the certificate vary: one institution will accept a standard form from the pediatrician, while another asks for a specific template or additional tests. Before the visit, get a sample or a list of requirements from the nursery or school — that way everything is completed in one go.
What to bring
- the vaccination card or vaccination records — these are almost always needed for nursery and school;
- the form, sample or list of requirements from the institution, if you were given one;
- your child's document — confirm exactly which documents are needed for the certificate when booking;
- previous certificates, discharge summaries and test results, if you have them — the doctor will take them into account during the examination.
How the certificate is issued
The certificate is issued after the pediatrician's examination: the doctor assesses your child's general condition, reviews the vaccination card and, if the institution requires it, prescribes tests. Bring the vaccination documents with you — vaccination details are almost always part of the certificate for nursery and school.
How long it takes
If the institution does not require additional tests, the certificate is issued right at the appointment, after the examination. If tests are needed, allow time for those — timings depend on the specific investigations and will be confirmed when you book. So during peak document season — for example, before the school year starts — plan the visit with time to spare.
How long a certificate is valid
Medical certificates have a limited validity period — it depends on the type of certificate and the institution's requirements. It is best to have one issued shortly before you submit the documents, rather than months ahead.
If your child falls ill before the documents are due
A certificate confirms that a child is healthy and can attend a group setting, so during an illness the doctor will not be able to issue one. In that case the health question comes first — an examination and treatment — and the certificate is issued once your child has recovered. The mirror-image situation is the certificate after an illness: it confirms exactly that your child can now return to nursery or school.
For families who have moved from another country
If your child was under a doctor's care in another country, bring the vaccination card and any summaries to the appointment — the doctor will take these records into account when issuing the certificate. If the records are not in Georgian, the doctor will work out the key details on the spot; anything else can be translated later if needed.