Minnesota’s state paid family leave program begins on January 1, 2026. Many people who are anticipating using the program may be curious about what to expect and what you will need from your healthcare provider to certify your leave and receive your benefits. 
 

What To Know About Certifying Your Leave

You can certify your leave with the state by going to the state portal. 

What type of form do you need? 

• There are different types of forms for different types of leave. Visit the state website forms page here to see which form and what type of documentation may be needed for your leave.

Do I need to visit my provider for documentation?

• It depends on which type of leave you are applying for. If you are applying for leave with a medical component (such as medical leave or the birth portion of birth and bonding leave), you will need a signature from your provider.
• Other types of leave may not require a provider’s signature. For bonding leave, you can use the baby’s birth certificate or your hospital discharge papers to certify bonding leave. The state only requires a provider letter of certification if you do not have any of the other forms of verification.
• The state portal has detailed information on what is required for each type of leave.

Can I do an eVisit for my documentation?

• Yes, you can do an eVisit to ask your provider to fill out the form.

When do I need to fill out the forms?

• The state is not accepting forms until January 1, 2026 since that is when the program starts. You will be able to submit forms then.