Legally reviewed by: 
Medically reviewed by: You can qualify for an Emotional Support Animal letter online if you work directly with a licensed healthcare professional who offers remote services.
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, getting an ESA letter online through a licensed professional is just as valid as getting one in person.
Are online ESA Letters legitimate?
You can get an Emotional Support Animal letter online if you obtain one from a licensed healthcare professional remotely. Getting certified online is just as legitimate as getting certified through in-person meetings! The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (known as HUD) has, in fact, noted that for housing accommodations, individuals can obtain ESA-related services through professionals who provide services remotely, including over the internet.
The task of finding an appropriate healthcare provider can feel overwhelming. In these modern times, people find and date new partners by swiping on their phones, hail taxis anywhere in the world, and order food with just a few clicks. Technology is also helping people reach therapists and other professionals more efficiently. We recommend working with a licensed healthcare professional who has experience writing ESA letters and knows what to expect when dealing with landlords or their attorneys.
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 to connect with licensed healthcare professionals online. It takes a lot of courage and self-reflection to admit you need help and then actively find the help you need.
Will the ESA Letter I get online actually work?
A valid ESA letter gives you the documentation you need to apply for a reasonable accommodation for your pet with your landlord, HOA, co-op, or other housing provider. This is true whether you worked with your licensed healthcare provider in person or online. Examples of reasonable accommodations include:
- Your ESA must be reasonably accommodated in housing even if there is a “no pets” policy for the building
- Housing providers cannot impose breed or size restrictions on an ESA
- Housing providers are not allowed to charge fees and deposits in connection with an ESA
- Housing providers cannot discriminate against you solely because you need an ESA
Can I Get an Emotional Support Animal Certification From My Current Doctor or Therapist?
Yes! If you have an existing relationship with a licensed healthcare professional that can write an ESA letter, we recommend discussing your interest in an Emotional Support Animal with them first. You can call their office before booking an appointment to ask whether your licensed healthcare provider writes ESA letters.
If your current provider is uncomfortable writing a letter, or you are having trouble finding one, ESA Doctors can help connect you to someone licensed in your state. The LHCP we connect you to will be compassionate, believe in the benefits of having an Emotional Support Animal, and have experience dealing with landlords.
You can also look for a therapist in your area that is willing to write ESA Letters and how much they charge for the appointment. Inquire into their experience with landlords and if they are willing to verify that they wrote you an ESA Letter when your landlord calls them.
Do I Have to Register My ESA Online?
You do not need to register your ESA. The only appropriate supporting documentation for an Emotional Support Animal is an ESA letter written by a licensed healthcare professional. If you submit your ESA letter and your landlord then demands to see a registration number so they can search for your animal on a registry, you can do it if you to avoid confrontation with them but you are not required by Fair Housing to register your ESA. ESA Registration, vests, IDs, and certificates are for personal convenience and not required by law.
Should I See if I Qualify for an ESA Letter Online?
Emotional Support Animals can provide immeasurable support to their owners who suffer from mental and emotional distress. If you believe making your pet your official Emotional Support Animal could improve your quality of life, you should see if you qualify! The licensed healthcare professionals who work with ESADoctors.com can determine whether you qualify. Our online platform offers a convenient, easy, and private way to connect with a licensed healthcare professional to discuss your potential need for an Emotional Support Animal letter.
Do the letters expire? If so, how do I renew? thanks
ESA letters do not technically expire, but its highly recommended to renew them annually. That’s because the healthcare provider who wrote the ESA letter will not be able to validate a letter unless there is a current evaluation on file. It’s especially important to have a recent letter if you are moving or planning to move. Please see this article for more details: https://esadoctors.com/do-esa-letters-expire-how-to-renew/
Can I get a emotional support letter here
We can absolutely help you get an ESA letter! Please click here to learn more: https://esadoctors.com/esa-letter/
Can my cats b a emotional support animal
Your cats can absolutely be emotional support animals! Cats and dogs are in fact the most common emotional support animals. Cats are a wonderful source of comfort for people with conditions like depression, anxiety or PTSD. They can be both a calming and uplifting presence. For more information about cats as emotional support animals, please see this link: https://esadoctors.com/can-cats-emotional-support-animals/
Should I disclose my esa when filling out a lease if the property is “no pets”.
You will have to disclose that you are requesting accommodation for an ESA some time before your ESA moves into the apartment.
Could they then deny my application if I do? Or should I apply then disclose once they approve my application?
They cannot deny you housing solely because of your need for an emotional support animal. We recommend being upfront with landlords about your ESA needs.
Hello there
I will be flying from Taipei to Singapore and would like to get an ESA for my dog to fly in the cabin. Will your letter be accepted by an airplane from Taipei to Singapore ?
Unfortunately, ESAs are generally no longer accepted on flights. Only service dogs can board flights under the DOT’s new rules for air travel in the US: https://esadoctors.com/fly-with-dog/
Hello. I already live in an apartment where my lease is about to expire and I want an ESA. My apartment agreement is then scheduled to go month to month. I’m just wondering what if my landlord allows the ESA but then decides to end our agreement. I don’t think she has to have a reason?? What to do in that scenario? Thanks!!
It can be difficult in these situations to know whether or not a landlord acted specifically because of an ESA. That is some of the risk of being on a month to month arrangement where either side can end the lease.
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?
Renewing is not mandatory, but highly recommended. A healthcare provider will not be able to validate an ESA letter if there is not a current evaluation on file. If you plan to move, it’s especially important to have an up to date ESA letter. We recommend reading this article for more information on ESA letter renewals: 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/
You need a health certificate from your vet stating that your pet is up to date on all vaccinations. Your vet will know if your pet requires additional vaccines required by that country.