NHS Maternity Exemption Certificate: How to Apply
Your NHS maternity exemption certificate (MatEx) entitles you to free NHS prescriptions and free NHS dental treatment during pregnancy and for 12 months after your baby's due date. It is one of the most practical financial benefits available to pregnant women in England, and it costs nothing to apply — so it is worth getting sorted as early as possible.
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How to Apply
Applying for your MatEx is straightforward and takes only a few minutes:- Ask for a FW8 form at your booking appointment. Your GP, midwife, or health visitor can give you one.
- Fill in your personal details — your name, address, expected due date, and NHS number.
- Have your midwife or GP sign and stamp the form. They confirm your pregnancy is genuine.
- Post the completed form to the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) at the address printed on the form. There is no fee.
- Receive your MatEx card in the post, usually within two to three weeks. Keep it safe and show it at the pharmacy or dental reception when you receive treatment.
You can also ask your midwife to complete the form digitally if your maternity unit uses an electronic system — check at your booking appointment.
What It Covers
The maternity exemption certificate covers:- Free NHS prescriptions — any prescription item dispensed by an NHS pharmacy while your certificate is valid, regardless of what the medicine is for. You do not need to be prescribed something pregnancy-related to benefit. See our full guide to free prescriptions in pregnancy for what to do before your card arrives.
- Free NHS dental treatment — check-ups, fillings, extractions, and other routine dental work carried out by an NHS dentist. Private dental treatment is not covered.
The certificate does not cover sight tests, glasses, or hospital prescriptions that are dispensed outside a normal pharmacy — those have separate exemption routes.
When Does It Start and Expire?
Your MatEx is valid from the date your midwife or GP signs the FW8 form, so the sooner you apply, the sooner you benefit. It remains valid until the end of the month falling 12 months after your baby's due date. This means you stay entitled to free prescriptions even if your baby arrives early or late.If you are still pregnant when your certificate is about to expire (rare, but possible in cases of recalculated dates), your midwife can issue an updated form. If your baby is born after your due date, your original certificate still covers the full 12-month period after your original due date.
Keep a note of the expiry date so you do not accidentally skip paying when your certificate runs out — an underpayment penalty can be issued if you claim exemption after it has expired.
FAQ
### When should I apply for my maternity exemption certificate?Apply as soon as you have your booking appointment — usually between eight and ten weeks. Your midwife can sign the FW8 form on the same day. There is no benefit to waiting, and the sooner you apply, the sooner you stop paying for prescriptions and dental treatment.
What is the FW8 form?
The FW8 is the official application form for the maternity exemption certificate. Your midwife, GP, or health visitor gives you one at your booking appointment and signs it to confirm your pregnancy, then you send it to the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA). Some maternity units now submit the FW8 electronically, so ask at your booking appointment whether yours does.
Is the maternity exemption certificate a card?
Yes. Once your FW8 is processed, the NHSBSA posts you a maternity exemption certificate — often called a MatEx card or pregnancy exemption card. You show it, or give your certificate number, at the pharmacy or dental reception. Keep a photo of it as a backup in case it is lost.
Can I use my MatEx in any NHS pharmacy or dental practice in England?
Yes. Your MatEx is accepted at any NHS pharmacy and any NHS dental practice in England. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have their own systems — prescriptions are free for everyone in Scotland and Wales regardless of pregnancy, and Northern Ireland has a separate low-cost prescription charge system.
What if I lose my maternity exemption certificate?
Contact the NHSBSA to request a replacement. In the meantime, your midwife can confirm your pregnancy status if you need it — but you may need to pay and reclaim until the replacement card arrives. Keep a photo of your card as a backup.
Always speak to your midwife or GP if you have questions about accessing the benefits your MatEx covers.
Related help with pregnancy costs
Your MatEx is one of several forms of financial help available during pregnancy. Depending on your circumstances, you may also be entitled to:- Free NHS prescriptions in pregnancy — how the exemption works in practice and what to do before your certificate arrives.
- Healthy Start scheme — free vitamins and a prepaid card for milk, fruit, and vegetables if you qualify.
- Sure Start Maternity Grant — a one-off payment (usually £500) towards the cost of a new baby if you receive certain benefits.
- Universal Credit in pregnancy — how pregnancy affects your entitlement and what you can claim.