For 10 years we’ve been helping people just like you get legit and enforceable ESA letters that follow ESA guidelines for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The only way to qualify for an emotional support animal is to have an ESA letter, so you need to get it done right if you want to live with your ESA in no-pets housing or be exempt from pet fees.
We created this post that was reviewed by a licensed healthcare professional and our legal expert so you can learn to spot the difference between a legit ESA letter and one that won’t get the job done.
In this article:
- What to Look For in a Legitimate ESA Letter
- Where does an authentic ESA letter come from?
- Getting a Real ESA Letter Online
- Myths Regarding ESAs and ESA Letters
- In short…
What to Look For in a Legitimate ESA Letter
A legit ESA letter has to meet specific federal and state requirements. Look for the following in a valid ESA letter:
- Licensed healthcare professional’s signature.
- Licensed healthcare professional’s license number.
- Licensed healthcare professional’s contact information.
- Date the letter was issued.
- Confirmation you have an eligible health condition.
- Recommendation that you have an emotional support animal.
- Request for the landlord’s reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing ct.
Here is an example of what a legitimate ESA letter might look like:
Now let’s take a look at an ESA letter that won’t work. Notice that the example below is missing critical elements like the healthcare professional’s credentials, contact information, and statements regarding the client’s suitability for an emotional support animal.
Not only that, it references that the emotional support animal has been certified and registered. It also references the Air Carrier Access Act which ESAs no longer have rights under. Under HUD’s housing rules, you don’t need to certify or register an ESA – all you need is a valid ESA letter, and this one doesn’t cut it:
Don’t get stuck with an ESA letter that won’t get the job done. Click below to work with an ESA professional who knows what they’re doing.
Where does an authentic ESA letter come from?
An ESA letter has to come from a licensed healthcare professional like one of the following:
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists
- Licensed professional counselors
- Clinical social workers
- Nurses
- Marriage and Family Therapist
- Physicians
Make sure the professional’s license is in good standing and up to date. You can check their license number in your state’s professional licensing database online.
A landlord may want to contact the author of the ESA letter to verify it was written for you. You can run into a troubling situation if you use a questionable ESA provider that is unresponsive. That is why an ESA letter should also always contain the provider’s contact information, whether it is an email address or telephone number.
Getting a Real ESA Letter Online
You are absolutely allowed to get an ESA letter under HUD’s rules, if you do it the right way. We’ve been doing this for a long time, and here is what we do to ensure the ESA letter you get will work:
- We only work with actively licensed professionals for your state.
- No instant approval of letters – each client is evaluated individually.
- The providers we work with operate independently and write ESA letters that comply with the latest federal and state laws.
- We don’t offer anything you don’t need, like registrations.
- Our dedicated support team and your provider will be there to help if you run into any difficulties.
Don’t take our word for it, we have over 100,000 clients who have used our service and stellar verified reviews.
Here are a few things to watch out for when evaluating ESA providers online:
- Instant ESA letter approvals are not legitimate because it takes time for real healthcare professionals to evaluate whether an ESA is right for you. Instant approvals may be from ESA letter mills that don’t use actual providers or have therapist/doctor signatures on file. This means the therapist that “signed” your letter has probably never even seen your letter.
- If the price sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Bargain basement-priced ESA letters don’t make sense because a real licensed healthcare professional must evaluate your condition and write an ESA letter for you. The cost of a qualified professional’s time does not come cheap.
- Emotional support animals do not need to be registered, so be cautious of sites that promise ESA status by adding your pet to a registry.
- A vest or ID card are completely optional, and you should be skeptical of any site that claims otherwise. As we’ve discussed, the only way to properly qualify for an ESA is with a letter from a licensed professional.
- Check to see what past clients have said about the company. Make sure the reviews come from a site that verifies the reviews are authentic. You should also check the company’s BBB (Better Business Bureau) accreditation status.
Myths Regarding ESAs and ESA Letters
Studies show that dogs and other animals can improve mental health.
There is a lot of confusing and flat-out false information about ESAs out there. Now that you know how to distinguish a real ESA letter from a fake one, let’s dispel some other ESA myths. Here are some of the most common myths about ESAs:
| Myths | Facts |
|---|---|
| “You need to register or certify an ESA and have an ID card.” | An ESA letter is the only documentation that can qualify a pet as an ESA. |
| “ESAs are out of control, they should have laws that govern them!” | ESAs are actually a creation of laws — there are already many federal and state rules that regulate ESAs and protect the rights of owners. |
| “Anyone can just pretend their pet is an ESA.” | It’s not easy to pass off a normal pet as an ESA with a savvy landlord — they are entitled under law to see proof that an animal is an ESA. |
| “You can’t qualify for an ESA online.” | While it’s true that there are many ESA scams online to be wary of, it is possible to successfully obtain a legitimate ESA letter online. |
| “No one really needs an ESA, people should just toughen up!” | ESAs play a key role in the mental and emotional well-being of their owners. There are countless real-life examples of ESAs allowing people with mental health issues to live positive and fulfilling lives that were previously unthinkable. |
Click here to get started on qualifying for your ESA letter.
In short…
An emotional support animal can be life-changing for people suffering from mental health issues. A pet can only qualify as an ESA if you have a recommendation letter from a licensed healthcare professional. You can obtain a letter from a professional who offers their services online, but it’s important to choose a provider that can write a legitimate ESA letter.
ESA Doctors can help connect you to a licensed professional specializing in ESAs. The licensed professional can assess whether an ESA is right for you and issue an ESA letter that you can confidently present to your landlord.
If you’re ready to get started on qualifying for a legitimate ESA letter online, you can start by clicking the link below.
Get Your Legitimate ESA Letter Online
Get the love and support you deserve.
If my apartment complex has their own ESA form for me to fill out can I forward that to the ESA doctor that will reach out to me? Or should the letter from the doctor be enough for me to not have to fill out their own form?
Under the latest HUD guidelines landlords cannot insist that LMHPs use a specific form. If you submitted a valid ESA letter from your doctor or therapist, that should be sufficient. Please see this post for more details: https://esadoctors.com/hud-housing-rules-emotional-support-animals/
I have a letter from my doctor stating the reason on need my dog. Now what do I do??
You might find this article useful: https://esadoctors.com/emotional-support-dog-letter-landlord/
What if my therapist is willing to write the referral or recommendation but doesn’t know what to do with it next? Can I essentially bring my own letter for a online company to create the certificate?
You do not need a certificate for an emotional support animal. If your therapist can write and sign an ESA recommendation letter for you, that is the only documentation you need to show your landlord as proof of your animal’s ESA status.
Can a Veterinarian provide the letter for an ESA applicant. My dog visits in nursing homes.
No, an ESA letter has to come from a licensed healthcare professional such as a therapist, doctor or social worker who has evaluated the person’s mental health.
so what exactly does the letter need to contain in order for my dog to be considered as an esa
An ESA letter should come from a licensed healthcare professional and establish that you have a qualifying mental health disability that is assisted by the presence of an emotional support animal.
What do if I already have a doctors note from my sons doctor ? (ASD)
If you already have a letter for your ESA from a licensed healthcare professional, you can submit the letter to your landlord to request accommodation of your ESA.
Does the letter need to state the information about the animal? For example whether it’s a dog, name, weight etc.?
In our experience most ESA letters do not have that information because 1. it’s not something the therapist is always in a position to verify and 2. an ESA letter can be issued before the ESA is even adopted.
I filled out the questions but it’s asking for almost $250. Will someone call me before I pay? Want to make sure this is legit as I am getting another pup and want him legally ESA for my sever anxiety. I am taking meds for it.
Please reach out to our support team at support@esadoctors.com and someone will assist you right away.
Hello, I want to buy 2 ESA letters. I used to have one issued from my doctor and need a new one and another ESA letter for my other pet. I match all of the qualifications and want to get both ESA letters online from this website since my busy schedule makes this very convenient. How much is each ESA letter? And
Is there a bundle of 2 price? And how soon can it be delivered to me? I need letters for Housing & Travel.
You can find our pricing plan here: https://esadoctors.com/pricing-plan/
How much do I need to register her as service dog.
You do not need to register a service dog or ESA. You may find this link helpful to learn about how the ESA process works: https://esadoctors.com/how-it-works/
What’s I have received my letter from my licence psychiatrist what do I do with that letter at that point who do I contact to have it registered
You do not need to register an emotional support animal. If you have a valid ESA letter from a licensed psychiatrist you should be set.
It isn’t vital to use a Psychiatrist, is it? As long as I use a licensed doctor in good standing? Thank you!
(I don’t see where to ask the question directly, so forgive me for placing it here)!
A licensed healthcare professional such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor, social worker, doctor or nurse can write an ESA letter.
Hi, is the therapist liable for the dog after the letter is written? I am working with my therapist to obtain a letter and were wondering what the therapists role is in the big picture. Thank you!
The owner, not a therapist, is generally liable for the actions of their ESA.