Registering an emotional support animal (ESA) often involves entering pet information into a database and receiving an ESA registration number. This practice is often used to misrepresent a pet as an ESA without proper documentation. Contrary to popular belief, there’s no legally recognized way to ‘register’ an ESA, and no official website exists for ESA registration.
The only legitimate way to certify an emotional support animal is to obtain an ESA letter, often called an ESA prescription. Only licensed medical professionals, such as doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and licensed mental health professionals (LMHPs), can provide a legitimate ESA letter.
Is There an Official ESA Registry?
Despite what some organizations or companies might suggest, there is no official registry for emotional support animals (ESAs). The U.S. federal government doesn’t have such a requirement for ESAs or service dogs. However, in some cases, states or localities may have specific requirements for registering dogs or pets in general.
Is It Necessary to Register an Emotional Support Animal?
No, you do not need to register your emotional support animal. There’s no official registry or database for ESAs. Any agency claiming to ‘register’ your ESA for a fee without providing an ESA letter written by a licensed medical professional is likely a scam. Some websites also offer additional services, such as certificates, ID cards, and vests for ESAs, but you are not required to purchase any of these for your emotional support animal.
Unnecessary ESA Products to be Aware Of
Some companies and organizations sell products that seem official but aren’t requirements for having an emotional support animal (ESA) in your home. These include:
- Emotional Support Animal Certificates: If a company is trying 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 permitted 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, ESA registration is quite different from obtaining an ESA letter, and it’s important that only one of these options is legally recognized. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences:
ESA Registration
- Process — Enter your personal information as well as some information about your pet, then pay a fee. You’ll be provided with a registration number and possibly an ID card or other documentation. Importantly, no one will be reviewing your information.
- Benefits — On the positive side, registration is usually a cheaper option than other ESA documentation, and although registration alone is not sufficient, you may receive support from landlords who don’t fully understand the laws around emotional support animals.
- Drawbacks — If you use an ESA registry, you run the risk of having your accommodation request denied or facing legal consequences due to improper documentation and potentially misrepresenting your pet as a support animal. Ultimately, you should not register your ESA. It is simply not necessary and at worst, could get you into legal trouble.
ESA Letter
- What is an ESA Letter? — “ESA letter” is simply the term used to describe official documentation from a healthcare provider stating your need for an emotional support animal—it’s essentially a prescription.
- Process — You’ll need to consult with a licensed mental health professional who will assess your need for an emotional support animal, then write you the necessary ESA letter. In some states, you will need at least two consultations in 30 days.
- Benefits — If you have a legitimate ESA letter from a healthcare professional, you are legally protected. Landlords must provide reasonable accommodation for your emotional support animal if you present them with your ESA letter.
- Drawbacks — It tends to be a more expensive process as it involves actual healthcare professionals, but the cost is generally offset by the peace of mind in having an official document. There is also the possibility of the healthcare professional declining to provide you with an ESA letter or your landlord illegally denying your emotional support animal (which you are at a higher risk of with other methods like registration). We understand this risk can be concerning, which is why we offer a money-back guarantee—if your letter is denied or you don’t qualify after your consultation, we’ll refund you.
How to “Register” an Emotional Support Animal the Right Way
The process of obtaining a legitimate emotional support animal is well worth the peace of mind in knowing that your right to live with your animal companion is protected when your ESA is legal. The only legitimate way to obtain an emotional support animal is to get an ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional in your state. Having an ESA letter ensures that you and your emotional support animal’s rights 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 currently practicing in your state. This is the only document you need to prove that your pet is an emotional support animal.
What is an ESA Letter?
An emotional support animal letter, often called an ESA letter, acts as a type of prescription or doctor’s note for those with a mental illness or disability. An ESA letter is written by a licensed medical professional, such as a social worker or therapist. It states that the individual being written about has a qualifying disability for an emotional support animal and that having such an animal is part of their treatment plan for managing their condition.
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 of the recognition of emotional support animals as “assistance animals” under the Fair Housing Act. According to this federal law, an ESA letter is the only legitimate way to prove you require an emotional support animal. An ESA registration number, ID card, badge, or certificate is insufficient, and your landlord may deny your request.
A legitimate ESA letter must be written by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) and contain their name, license number, and licensing state.
How to Get an ESA Letter
If you’d like to make your dog, cat, or reptile companion an official ESA, Pettable makes the process easy. To get started, complete our online ESA assessment; this helps us determine your needs and connect you with one of our LMHPs practicing in your state. Next, you’ll meet with the LMHP who will evaluate you and make an official diagnosis; in states requiring a 30-day patient relationship, we’ll make the process seamless. Once you’re diagnosed with a mental or emotional health disorder, the LMHP will write your official ESA letter.
- Take Our Assessment
Start by taking Pettable’s brief assessment so we can better understand your current situation and future needs surrounding obtaining an emotional support animal. The assessment typically only takes about 3 minutes and will get you on your way to getting your ESA letter right away!
- Consult With a Licensed Mental Health Professional
After we gather some more information, we will connect you with a licensed mental health professional in your state and you will attend a consultation via phone call, scheduled at a time that’s convenient for you. Depending on your state’s requirements, such as for those living in California or Montana, you may be required to consult with your LMHP more than once within 30 days.
- Receive Your ESA Letter
After meeting with the medical professional and determining your specific needs, they will provide you with a valid, legal ESA letter guaranteed to meet your needs. Present your ESA letter to your landlord for exemption from pet policies and fees, to your employer to request reasonable accommodation, or to one of the few airlines that allow emotional support animals to accompany their owners.
Illegal ESA Letter Practices to Look Out For
While reputable companies like Pettable provide legitimate, valid emotional support animal letters for individuals in need, there are also companies out there looking to take advantage and don’t follow the proper process for issuing ESA letters. Here are a few ways to spot illegal ESA letter practices.
Lack of Consultation
A consultation with a licensed medical professional is required to obtain an emotional support animal letter in all 50 states. Any agency that does not require you to have a consultation before providing documentation may not be legitimate. Some states even have stricter policies and require individuals to attend more than one consultation or develop a minimum relationship with the professional providing the ESA letter.
Immediate Processing
Obtaining a legitimate ESA letter is a process and takes time. Be wary of companies that offer immediate processing or instant access to printable documentation. This is not a legitimate ESA letter and will not be helpful for you without the required information to be considered authentic under the law.
Unlicensed Mental Health Professional
A clinician or counselor without a valid license in your state cannot provide a legitimate ESA letter. There are no federally licensed medical professionals, meaning there is no one license that allows an individual to provide care in every state. Doctors, psychiatrists, and LMHPs must be certified by each state they practice in, and the ESA letter they provide must include their license number.
What is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?
An emotional support animal is a type of assistance animal that provides companionship and comfort to individuals with a mental illness or disability. ESAs differ from service animals and psychiatric service animals, who are individually trained to work and perform tasks directly assisting the individual with a disability, whether that be physical, cognitive or mental health related. Emotional support animals do not need to be trained but instead, simply provide support with their presence, love, and affection.
What are the Benefits of an Emotional Support Animal?
There are several benefits to having an emotional support animal. Primarily, the presence of an emotional support animal lowers stress, increases social connection, provides purpose to their owners and decreases anxiety. They offer companionship and significantly reduce feelings of loneliness or isolation for their humans.
Most humans and their pets are inseparable, but not all rental properties allow pets. One huge benefit of emotional support animals is that they are protected as assistance animals under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), meaning they are able to live anywhere with their owner and are exempt from no-pet policies, restrictions on size or breed and costly pet fees.
Emotional support animals also help create routine for their humans. Attending to their needs surrounding exercise, feeding, vet care and of course attention can be vital for those with mental illness.
What Does an Emotional Support Animal Do?
Emotional support animals provide support to those with mental or emotional disabilities. Unlike service animals, ESAs do not need any specific training or need to perform specific tasks. Emotional support animals 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 be a significant boost to mental wellbeing and is one of the biggest benefits of having an emotional support animal.
Because of how emotional support animals provide their support, virtually any animal can be an ESA. While emotional support dogs and cats are the most common, many individuals have rabbits, fish or reptiles as emotional support animals.
Where Can Emotional Support Animals Go?
Unlike service animals, emotional support animals are only legally protected to be with you at your primary residence. ESAs cannot go out in public places where pets are typically not allowed. Here is a quick overview of the rules regarding where emotional support animals are allowed:
Emotional support animals can… live with you at your primary residence, exempt from pet restrictions, fees, and deposits. This is protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA).
Emotional support animals are sometimes allowed… on flights with certain airlines. The Air Carrier Access Act no longer protects ESAs on flights, meaning most airlines no longer allow emotional support animals to fly for free.
Emotional support animals are not allowed… to accompany you to public places where pets are not allowed, such as grocery stores, shopping malls, or restaurants. Only service animals are afforded this right under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Who Qualifies for an Emotional Support Animal?
There are two basic requirements for someone to qualify for an emotional support animal:
- They must have a mental health disability that impacts their ability to perform activities of daily living.
- Having an emotional support animal must alleviate at least one symptom of the individual’s disability.
Any mental health condition can potentially qualify for an emotional support animal, 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, PTSD and ADHD.
Emotional Support Animal vs. Service Animal
While both can be extremely beneficial for those with mental disabilities, service animals are considered “working animals,” while ESAs are considered standard pets with fewer protections. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and their service dogs in public places, including restaurants, shopping centers, public transportation, etc.
ESAs, on the other hand, are not permitted to accompany their owners in public accommodations, but the Fair Housing Act (FHA) allows them to live with their owners in most rental housing situations. Additionally, while the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) allows 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 as with ESAs, service animals are not required to be registered with any sort of federal database or organization-specific registry. Any registration requirements are state-specific and usually apply to most or all pet dogs.
ESA Registration FAQs
Here are the answers to any 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 emotional support animal and will not protect your rights as an ESA owner. Be wary of companies or websites offering ESA registration services as they may be misleading you. Be sure to speak with a licensed mental health professional and obtain an ESA letter.
Where do I register an emotional support animal?
You do not need to register your emotional support animal with any specific organization. To obtain an emotional support animal, look for licensed mental health professionals in your state who can write you an ESA letter.
How do I register an emotional support animal?
To register an emotional support animal, 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 emotional support animal registry?
No, there is no official emotional support animal registry. Any website or company claiming to be an official registry is misleading you and should be avoided.
Are emotional support animals service animals?
No, emotional support animals are different from service animals. 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 emotional support animal?
All mental and emotional health disabilities qualify for an emotional support animal. To find out if you qualify, you need to consult with a licensed healthcare professional.
Do landlords have to accept emotional support animals?
Generally, yes, landlords must provide reasonable accommodation for anyone with a valid ESA letter. Landlords can only deny an accommodation request for an ESA if accepting the animal would cause undue financial hardship, to their building or to their tenants.
What animals can be emotional support animals?
Any animal that is commonly kept as a household pet can be an emotional support animal as long as it alleviates symptoms of a mental or emotional health condition. Common types of ESAs include dogs, cats, and rabbits.
