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  2. Health and wellbeing
  3. Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  4. COVID certificates

Types of COVID certificates

COVID certificates are available from the Department of Health for international use. These include proof of Vaccination certificates, COVID Recovery certificates, where eligible, if you have tested positive for COVID-19 and an Exemption certificate if you cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.

Vaccination certificates

If you have received at least one of your COVID-19 vaccinations in Northern Ireland, you can apply for a proof of Vaccination certificate for international travel use.

The Travel certificate will show all doses you have received including boosters.

Travel certificate

The NI COVID Travel certificate is valid for six months from the date of application. Digital certificates will automatically renew a week before they are due to expire.  

The QR code and downloadable certificate will permit international travel (where certification is required).

First, you will need to prove identity by creating an nidirect account. 

Then, you can apply for your certificate on the COVIDCert NI app.

  • Apply for a travel COVID vaccination certificate

To view or see the progress of your COVID cert application log in at this link:

  • Log in to the COVID certificate service

Booster doses

You can update your current Vaccination certificate to include your booster dose after five working days of receiving it.

You can log in to your nidirect account and refresh your certificate.

If your booster dose is not showing on your certificate after five working days of receiving it, you will need to contact your point of vaccination to have your records updated.

Your booster details will then appear on your Travel certificate.

Young people aged 16 and under

Parents and guardians can apply through their nidirect account, for travel certificates for young people up to the age of 16.

You will need to upload a photo of the young person’s passport as part of the validation process.

11 to 15 year olds can display their COVID Travel certificates on their own phones by downloading the COVIDCertNI app and scanning the certificate sent to their parent or guardian.

Paper certificates

If you cannot apply for your Vaccination certificates online, you can request a paper version using the telephone service 0300 200 7814, available:

  • Monday to Friday, from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm
  • Saturday, from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm
  • reduced hours on public holidays

This is an application support line. Call handlers will not be able to provide advice on entry requirements to specific destinations or check the detail of your vaccination records.

This process will take longer than the digital process and you will have to verify your identity in person by presenting documents at an appointed time and location.

Once identity checks have been completed it may take up to 10 working days for the printed certificate to arrive.

Recovery certificate

If you have received a positive COVID PCR test, you may be eligible for a COVID Recovery certificate.

You cannot use an LFD test result to get a Recovery certificate for international travel.

You must take a PCR test from one of the private suppliers who provide results to the national testing database. A list of these suppliers is available at:

  • Finding and choosing a private coronavirus (COVID-19) test provider

It is the responsibility of the test provider and not the Department of Health to report your results to NHS Digital. 

For international travel, the Recovery certificate is available 10 days after your positive test and will only be valid for up to 180 days after the date of the positive PCR test.

You can hold both a Recovery certificate and a Vaccination certificate.

You should also check the entry requirements for your destination, before travelling, as the number of days from which a Recovery certificate is accepted, after you have tested positive, may vary.

  • Apply for a recovery certificate

Young people aged 16 and under

Parents and guardians can apply through their nidirect account, for Recovery certificates for young people up to the age of 16.

You will need to upload a photo of the young person’s passport as part of the validation process.

11 to 16 year olds can display the certificate on their own phones by downloading the COVIDCertNI app and scanning the certificate sent to their parent or guardian.

Exemption certificate

If you cannot be vaccinated against COVID-19 for medical reasons, you can apply for a certificate that provides proof of medical exemption from the need for vaccination.

To apply for this exemption, a helpline is available to access a printed certificate. Once received, you will receive instructions to download a digital certificate.

This certificate is not accepted by other countries for the purposes of travel.

The reasons for exemptions are limited. Examples of when someone may be exempt are:

  • receiving end of life care (palliative care) where vaccination is not in your best interests
  • having a learning disability or autistic people who cannot be vaccinated with reasonable adjustments
  • people with a medical contraindication to all current vaccines, such as a severe allergy
  • those who had serious adverse reactions to their first dose

Time-limited exemptions will also be available for those with some short-term medical conditions.

How to apply and receive your COVID Exemption certificate

To apply for a COVID Exemption certificate:

  • phone the COVID certification service helpline on 0300 200 7814, available:
    • Monday to Friday from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm
    • Saturday and Sunday from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm
  • choose option five and say that you wish to apply for a COVID Exemption certificate

The call handler will ask some questions. A carer can apply on your behalf.

If you are eligible to apply for an Exemption certificate, you will get an application form by post.

You will need to give:

  • your name
  • your date of birth
  • your address
  • your Health and Social Care number (if you know it)
  • the name of your specialist clinician and/ or GP

Your application will be reviewed by the nominated clinician who will be asked to confirm the reason for exemption.

Return your application form to the relevant specialist clinician or GP stated on the form.

Your clinician may ask to speak with you if needed, but you won’t need to book this when you submit your application.

You will get the results of your application by post two to three weeks after applying.

You don’t need to contact the specialist doctor or your GP unless they ask you to.  

Everyone is encouraged to get vaccinated. If you are unable to receive a vaccination for any other reason that does not fall under the requirements for an Exemption certificate you can avail of a Recovery certificate or use a lateral flow test result to enter domestic premises.

Single dose letter

Single dose letters are available if you have received a single COVID vaccination in Northern Ireland (to provide as part of a certificate application in a different country).

You need to follow the steps for requesting a Travel certificate at the link below and select the vaccination you have received in Northern Ireland as part of the application.

  • Apply for a travel COVID vaccination certificate

EU COVID certificate

Northern Ireland residents who have a valid Irish passport and have received their vaccinations in NI can apply for an EU COVID certificate using the instructions in the link below.

Applicants will need the NI COVID certificate to be able to upload the QR code requested as part of this application process.

  • Apply for a travel COVID vaccination certificate
  • Request an EU Digital COVID certificate for vaccinations received in Northern Ireland   

 

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COVID certificates

  • Apply for a COVID Recovery certificate
  • Apply for a Travel COVID vaccination certificate
  • Types of COVID certificates

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If you can’t find the information you’re looking for in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) section, then for queries about:

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