Once an employee meets the criteria and is eligible for FMLA leave, your company/employer will give you the final approval once the paperwork has been completed and accepted. The approval process for FMLA involves several steps, including providing education and notices, responding to a request for FMLA leave, determining certification requirements (a medical certification notice), determining any sort of authentication needs, and then final approval or denial.
Under the FMLA, employers who are covered are obligated to give eligible employees a notice of their FMLA rights and what the various leaves entail. Since each employer may have their own process as it pertains to the approval process, it's best to speak directly with your employer so that you have a clear understanding of the approval process. Prepare some questions ahead of time so you enter the process with a good sense of what you want from your employer and FMLA.