Registering an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is often perceived as entering your pet’s information into a database and receiving some sort of registration. This misconception is frequently exploited by scams that falsely represent pets as ESAs without valid documentation. There’s no legitimate way to “register” an ESA, and there is no official website for ESA registration.
The only way to legitimately qualify an ESA is by obtaining an ESA letter, often referred to as an ESA prescription. Only a licensed medical professional, such as a doctor, nurse practitioner, psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist, and Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP), can provide a legitimate ESA letter.
Is There an Official ESA Registry?
While some organizations or companies may suggest otherwise, there is no official registry for ESAs. The U.S. federal government does not have any such requirements for ESAs or service dogs, but in some cases, state or local governments may have specific requirements for the registration of dogs or pets in general.
Is ESA Registration Necessary?
ESA registration is not necessary. There is no official registry or database for ESAs. Any agency that asks you to “register” your ESA for a fee without providing an ESA letter written by a licensed medical professional is a scam. Some websites also offer additional services, such as certificates, ID cards, and ESA vests, but these are not necessary to purchase for your ESA.
Other Unnecessary ESA Products to Be Aware Of
Some companies and organizations sell products that appear official but are not requirements for having an ESA in your home. These include:
- ESA certificates: If a company tries to sell you an ESA certificate, rather than an ESA letter, it is an unnecessary product.
- ESA ID cards, vests, or badges: Because your ESA is not allowed in public places, there is no need for special ID cards, vests, or badges.
ESA Registration vs. ESA Letter
Although these terms are often used interchangeably, registering an ESA is quite different from obtaining an ESA letter, and importantly, only one of these options is legally recognized.
ESA Registration: Entering personal information as well as some information about your pet, and then paying a fee. You will be provided with a registration number and possibly an ID card or other documentation. Importantly, no one will review your information. ESA registration risks having accommodation requests denied or facing legal consequences due to improper documentation and potentially misrepresenting your pet as a support animal.
ESA Letter: Is an official document from a healthcare provider, stating your need for an ESA. You need to consult with a licensed mental health professional, who will assess your need for an ESA and then write you the necessary ESA letter. If you have a legitimate ESA letter from a medical professional, you will be legally protected.
How to “Register” Your ESA the Right Way
The only legitimate way to qualify for an ESA is to obtain an ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional in your state. Having an ESA letter ensures that your rights and your ESA’s are protected under federal law.
What Documentation Do You Need for an ESA?
To ensure that landlords, property managers, and airlines accept your animal as an ESA, you must have an official ESA letter, written and signed by a licensed mental health professional practicing in your state. This is the only document you need to prove that your pet is an ESA.
What Is an ESA Letter?
An ESA letter is a type of prescription or doctor’s note for individuals with a mental health condition or disability. An ESA letter is written by a licensed medical professional, such as a social worker or therapist. It states that the individual for whom the letter is written has a qualifying disability recognized for an ESA, and that having one is part of their condition management plan.
If you live or plan to live in a rental property, presenting a valid ESA letter to your landlord will exempt you and your pet from any pet fees or restrictions. This is because ESAs are recognized as “assistance animals” under the Fair Housing Act. Under this federal law, an ESA letter is the only legitimate way to prove you require an ESA. An ESA registration number, ID card, badge, or certificate is not sufficient, and your landlord can deny your request. A legitimate ESA letter must be written by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) and contain their name, license number, and the state of licensure.
How to Get an ESA Letter
If you want to make your pet an official ESA, the process is fairly simple. Start by completing an online ESA assessment; this helps to determine your needs and connects you with one of the LMHPs practicing in your state. Next, you will meet with the LMHP, who will evaluate you and provide an official diagnosis; in states requiring a 30-day patient relationship, the process will take place seamlessly. Once you have been diagnosed with a mental or emotional health disorder, the LMHP will write your official ESA letter.
Illegal ESA Letter Practices to Look Out For
While reputable companies provide legitimate ESA letters to individuals in need, there are also companies that seek to take advantage and do not follow the proper process for issuing ESA letters. Here are some ways to spot illegal ESA letter practices.
Lack of Consultation: A consultation with a licensed medical professional is required to obtain an ESA letter in all 50 states. Any agency that does not require you to have a consultation before providing documentation may be illegitimate.
Instant Processing: Receiving a legitimate ESA letter is a process and takes time. Be wary of companies that offer instant processing or immediate access to printable documentation. These are not legitimate ESA letters and will not be useful for you without the required information to be deemed authentic from a legal standpoint.
Unlicensed Mental Health Professional: A clinician or counselor who does not hold a valid license in your state cannot provide a legitimate ESA letter. There is no federally licensed medical professional, meaning there is no license that allows an individual to provide care in every state. Physicians, psychiatrists, and LMHPs must be certified by each state in which they practice, and the ESA letter they provide must include their license number.
What Is an ESA?
An ESA is a type of support animal that provides companionship and comfort to a person with a mental health condition or disability. ESAs are different from service animals and psychiatric service animals, who are individually trained to work and perform tasks that directly support a person with a disability, whether it is related to physical, sensory, or mental health. ESAs do not need to be trained but instead, simply provide support through their presence, love, and affection.
What Are the Benefits of an ESA?
There are several benefits to having an ESA. First and foremost, the presence of an ESA reduces stress, enhances social connection, gives purpose to the owner, and decreases anxiety. They provide companionship and significantly reduce feelings of loneliness or isolation for humans.
Most humans and their pets are inseparable, but not all rental properties allow pets. One huge benefit of ESAs is that they are protected as assistance animals under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), meaning that they can live anywhere with their owner and are exempt from no-pet policies, size or breed restrictions, and costly pet fees.
ESAs also help to create a routine for humans. Meeting their needs for exercise, feeding, vet care, and of course, attention can be crucial for individuals with mental health challenges.
What Does an ESA Do?
ESAs provide comfort to those with mental or emotional disabilities. Unlike service animals, ESAs do not need any specific training or need to perform specific tasks. ESAs benefit those with mental or emotional disabilities simply by their comforting presence. Even the simple act of creating a healthy routine throughout the day for their owner can provide a significant boost to mental health and is one of the greatest benefits of owning an ESA.
Because of the way ESAs provide their support, almost any animal can be an ESA. While emotional support dogs and cats are the most common, many individuals have rabbits, fish, or reptiles as ESAs.
Where Can ESAs Go?
Unlike service animals, ESAs are only legally protected to be with you at your primary residence. ESAs cannot go into public places where pets are typically not allowed. Here is a quick overview of the rules on where ESAs are allowed:
ESAs can… live with you at your primary residence, exempt from pet restrictions, fees, and deposits. This is protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA).
ESAs are sometimes allowed… on flights with certain airlines. The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) no longer protects ESAs on flights, meaning most airlines no longer allow ESAs to fly for free.
ESAs are not allowed… to join you in public places where pets are not allowed, such as grocery stores, shopping malls, or restaurants. Only service animals are granted this right under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Who Qualifies for an ESA?
There are two basic requirements for a person to qualify for an ESA:
- They must have a mental health disability that affects their ability to perform at least one major life task.
- The presence of the ESA must alleviate at least one of the symptoms of the person’s disability.
Any mental health condition could potentially qualify for an ESA, the only way to know for sure if you qualify is to consult with a mental health professional. Some examples of qualifying conditions are anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and ADHD.
ESA vs. Service Animal
While both can be highly beneficial for individuals with mental disabilities, service animals are considered “working animals,” while ESAs are considered standard pets with fewer protections. The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and their service dogs in public accommodations, including restaurants, shopping malls, public transportation, etc.
On the other hand, ESAs are not permitted to accompany their owners in public places, but the FHA does allow them to live with their owners in most rental housing situations. Additionally, while the ACAA permits most service dogs to fly in the cabin with their owners, ESAs are not guaranteed the same right across the board; it is up to each individual airline to decide.
Do Service Animals Need to be Registered?
Just like ESAs, service animals are not required to be registered with any kind of federal database or organizational-specific registry. Any registration requirements are state-specific and generally apply to most or all pet dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions About ESA Registration
What is ESA registration?
ESA registration is the process of submitting pet details to an online database for a fee in exchange for an ESA registration number or certificate. This is not the correct way to obtain an ESA and will not protect your rights as an ESA owner. Be wary of companies or websites that offer ESA registration, as they may be misleading you. Be sure to speak with a licensed mental health professional and receive an ESA letter.
Where do I register an ESA?
You do not need to register your ESA with any specific organization. To obtain an ESA, seek out licensed mental health professionals in your state who can write you an ESA letter.
How do I register an ESA?
To register for an ESA, you need to seek out a licensed mental health professional such as a therapist or social worker. They can determine if you qualify for an ESA and write the necessary documentation for you.
Is there an ESA registry?
No, there is no official ESA registry. Any website or company presenting themselves as an official registry is misleading you and should be avoided.
Is an ESA a service animal?
No, an ESA is different from a service animal. Service animals, service dogs, and psychiatric service dogs all require specific training and are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Service animals are also legally allowed in public places and on airplanes, unlike ESAs.
What disabilities qualify for an ESA?
All mental and emotional health disabilities qualify for an ESA. To find out if you qualify, you need to consult with a licensed healthcare professional.
Do landlords have to accept ESAs?
Generally speaking, yes, landlords must provide reasonable accommodation for anyone with a valid ESA letter. Landlords can only deny an ESA accommodation request if accepting the animal would pose an undue financial hardship, on the property or its tenants.
What animals can be ESAs?
Any animal that is commonly kept as a household pet can be an ESA as long as it alleviates symptoms of a mental or emotional health condition. Common types of ESAs include dogs, cats, and rabbits.
