You can legally qualify an emotional support animal through services provided online, but it has to be done in the right way. A common misconception with ESAs is that many people think that a certificate can certify a pet as an official ESA. A certification by itself will not qualify an animal companion as an ESA! Certificates do not confer legal status to ESAs. The best way to qualify for an emotional support animal online is to obtain an ESA letter from a licensed professional who offers remote services.
You Can Qualify For an ESA Online, but a “Certification” Won’t Get the Job Done
So when people ask the question, “can I get an emotional support animal certification online?” they may be confusing certifications with ESA letters. And yes, if done correctly, you can qualify an ESA through a licensed professional that offers online services. Under Fair Housing rules and the Air Carrier Access Act, an ESA letter is the required documentation you need to prove your animal companion is an ESA.
Many people are disappointed to learn that they need more than a certificate to qualify an emotional support animal, and fear the potential costs and burdens of getting help from a licensed health care professional. Seeing a professional in person can be prohibitively expensive for many, but also difficult to schedule for people with work, school or family obligations. Fortunately, obtaining an ESA letter through an online professional is just as valid as seeing someone in person.
These days, people find and date new partners by swiping right on their phones, hail taxis, and order food with just a few clicks. Technology is also helping people reach therapists and other professionals more efficiently. ESA Doctors provides a modern-day tech solution for those looking to easily connect with a licensed professional familiar with ESAs.
Efficient and Simple Process Online
The internet has become increasingly valuable to those seeking support for mental and emotional health issues. The digital age provides a convenient and cost-effective way for people to connect with licensed health care professionals online. It takes a lot of courage and self-reflection to admit you need help to actively find the help you need.
The task of finding an appropriate provider for you can feel overwhelming. If you’re able to find a professional, you then have to worry about scheduling in-person visits and what the costs will be. Some people are also just fearful of seeing a therapist in person, and would prefer the convenience and privacy of exploring whether an ESA is right for them from the comforts of their home.
If you’re wondering whether an ESA letter you obtain from an online professional is just as legitimate as a letter obtained through in-person meetings, the answer is yes!
The U.S. Department of Housing has, in fact, noted that for housing accommodation, individuals can obtain ESA related services through professionals that provide services remotely, including over the internet.
Can I Get an ESA Letter From My Current Doctor or Therapist?
Of course! An ESA letter can come from a licensed health care professional, which includes people like psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, counselors, physicians, and physician’s assistants. If you have an existing relationship with a professional-looking after your mental health, we always recommend discussing your interest in an ESA with them first.
If you do not have a licensed professional or are having trouble finding one, ESA Doctors can help connect you to someone licensed for your State who is knowledgeable about ESAs.
How Can I Get an ESA Letter from ESA Doctors?
What Legal Rights Do I Have with an ESA Letter?
A valid ESA letter gives you the documentation you need to apply for accommodation of your animal companion with your landlord or airline. With an ESA letter, your ESA will have the following rights:
- Your ESA must be allowed in housing even if there is a “no pets” policy for the building. The landlord cannot impose breed or size restrictions on an ESA. In addition, landlords are not allowed to charge fees and deposits in connection with an ESA.
- ESAs are allowed to fly with their owners in the cabin of the aircraft during air travel. Airlines cannot charge pet fees in connection with ESAs. Airlines also cannot apply breed restrictions on ESAs, though they can place limitations on animals they believe are dangerous or too large for the cabin.
Do I Have to Register My ESA?
ESA registration is not required and registrations are not recognized as a valid method of qualifying an ESA under federal laws. The only appropriate supporting documentation for emotional support animals are ESA letters written by licensed health care professionals. If you submit your ESA letter and your landlord then demands to see a registration number so they can search your animal on a registry, they are misinformed. Registration, vests, IDs, and certificates are not required for emotional support animals.
Should I See if I Qualify for an ESA Online?
Emotional Support Animals can provide immeasurable support to their owners that are suffering from mental and emotional distress. The licensed health care professionals that work with ESADoctors.com can see if an ESA may benefit you and whether you may qualify for an ESA letter. Our platform offers a convenient, easy and private way to connect with a licensed health care professional to discuss your potential need for an emotional support animal.
Start your questionnaire now to see if you qualify for an emotional support animal.
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My property management wants a separate form filled out from my doctor on top of the letter that has all the information in it that’s in the letter. Is that legal?
If your ESA letter has everything HUD requires, your landlord cannot insist on your doctor using a separate form.
I am a tenant in an apartment complex and my landlord is requesting that their form be filled out to be able to keep our dog in our no-pet apartment. We only got him in March, right before the pandemic. It has been a struggle to get to the doctor for this form to be filled out.
My boyfriend is qualified for an emotional support animal but the health care provider that he has been going to since he was young will not taker his current health insurance. If he goes to another doctor they will not have this previous history.
If he qualifies on this website can we send the provided document to you to be filled out for our landlord?
Thank you for the help. This is the first time dealing with a landlord and having a support animal.
Yes, the licensed healthcare professionals that work with us can certainly help you with the documents you’ll need for your landlord. You can get started at this link: https://esadoctors.com/esa-questionnaire/
Will I need to renew each year?
We recommend reading this article: https://esadoctors.com/do-esa-letters-expire-how-to-renew/
I have a letter from my primary physician. Are there certain requirements needed? Do I need to do anything else?
If your ESA letter meets the requirements of Fair Housing rules, then it is all you need in order to obtain accommodation from a landlord or airline.
If you live in one states and are planning to move to a different state is the ESA letter still valid or do you have to get one from each state?
The letter should still be valid but some landlords will insist on a letter from an in-state provider. Your state may also have its own rules about this.
I am traveling to Argentina and need my cat with me for emotional support. I will be in Argentina for 3 mos. Is the ESA letter from your team of doctors the applicable document needed for air travel. I understand Argentina may require addl documentation and possibly inoculations.
If you are flying from the US, yes we can help you with ESA documentation for your flight. You can get started here: https://esadoctors.com/esa-questionnaire/
I got my dog registered as a ESA some people say it isn’t legit but I have certificate For Chloe and a letter and ID will I only need to show my landlord the letter? I seen on here a lot of people are saying the letter is what I will need but just to confirm because my landlord asked for certification but I thought the letter will give me the yes bc it’s signed
Certifications and IDs do not qualify a pet as an emotional support animal. If you have a letter from a licensed healthcare professional recommending that you have an ESA, that is what you would submit to your landlord.