If you've ever searched for an ESA letter online, you've likely encountered a maze of websites making bold promises—some legitimate, others complete scams designed to take your money and leave you with worthless documentation. The reality is that while many people genuinely need emotional support animal letters but lack access to local clinicians or face healthcare providers uncomfortable with writing them, the surge of online ESA services has created a Wild West environment where distinguishing real from fake can feel impossible.

The truth about online ESA letters isn't black and white—it's a nuanced "it depends" that hinges on understanding exactly what makes an ESA letter legally valid and recognizing the red flags that signal fraudulent providers. Whether you're considering Pettable or exploring other options, this comprehensive guide will arm you with everything you need to know to secure a legitimate ESA letter while avoiding the costly mistakes that could leave you without proper housing accommodations when you need them most.

What is an ESA Letter?

An emotional support animal letter, often referred to as an ESA letter, is a legal form that documents an individual has a qualifying mental health disorder or disability and requires an emotional support animal. It’s similar to a prescription in that it states an ESA is necessary for managing an individual’s mental health condition. An ESA Letter must be written by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) to be valid. Some examples of LMHPs that can write an ESA letter include:

• Therapists
• Psychologists
• Psychiatrists
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses (PMHN)
• Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)

These professionals can assess your need for an emotional support animal, accounting for your mental health and how an animal's presence can help alleviate symptoms of your condition.

What You Need to Know in 2025

In 2025, online ESA letters are legitimate if you complete a live telehealth consultation with a clinician licensed in your state and your letter includes the required elements for housing under the Fair Housing Act. Some states require a minimum 30 day client-provider relationship before a letter can be issued, including California AB-468, Montana HB-703, Arkansas HB-1420, Louisiana HB-407, and Iowa SF-2268.

Important: Emotional support animals are not protected for air travel under the Air Carrier Access Act. If you need to fly with a support animal, consider whether a psychiatric service dog is appropriate for your needs.

What Makes an ESA Letter Legitimate?

For an ESA letter to be legitimate, it must meet a few criteria, here is a quick checklist to determine if an ESA letter is legit:

• The letter must be written by a licensed mental health professional who has assessed your need for an emotional support animal (some states also require a minimum 30-day relationship with the clinician).
• The letter must be written on official letterhead from the LMHP and contain contact information and the LMHP’s license number.
• The letter needs to state that the animal supports the patient's mental health, but does not need to go into specifics of the diagnosis as that information is private.
• The letter should recommend in writing that the animal is allowed to stay with the patient as it is a medical necessity for them.

Provider Requirements (State-Licensed, Telehealth-Ready)

A legitimate ESA letter must come from a provider who is licensed in your state and who evaluates you through a live phone or video consultation. Acceptable provider types include therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, and in some states physicians.

Legitimate ESA Letter Content Checklist

• Provider’s full name, credentials, license type and number, and state of licensure
• Provider contact information such as office address and phone or email
• Date of issuance
• Statement that the client has a mental health disability and that an emotional support animal is recommended as a reasonable accommodation for housing under the Fair Housing Act
• Optional but commonly requested: a letter dated within the past 12 months

Common Errors That Invalidate Letters

• No live consultation with a clinician
• Clinician not licensed in the state where you reside
• Missing license details or issuance date on the letter
• Claims about ESA air travel access under the ACAA
• Reliance on ESA “registries,” “certificates,” or instant approvals without evaluation

How to Verify Your Clinician’s License

• Confirm that your letter lists the clinician’s license type, number, and state of licensure, and that it is dated.
• Check your state licensing board website to verify that the license is active and in good standing in your state of residence.

Are Online ESA Letters Legitimate?

This is the big question that’s not so simple to answer. The basic answer is yes, some online ESA letters are legit, although there are many scam websites out there you should be on the lookout for. Legitimate online ESA letter sites will connect you with a licensed mental health professional for a short consultation, after which they will write you an ESA letter. This is essential to ensure your ESA letter is legally valid. Any website that omits this crucial step is illegitimate. Another important thing to look out for is that the site connects you with an LMHP licensed in your state of residence, as clinicians are not allowed to meet with patients in states where they don’t have a valid license.

Some scam websites offer instant turnaround after completing a simple online quiz or have an LMHP review your answers and email you an ESA letter. Others will simply have you “register” an emotional support animal or sell you a certificate, both of which hold no value and will not hold up to any scrutiny by a landlord.

How to Vet an Online ESA Provider

• Live consultation required by phone or video with a clinician licensed in your state
• HIPAA-aligned intake and privacy practices
• Clear provider identity and license information, and willingness to respond to reasonable landlord verification
• Transparent pricing and no “too good to be true” offers
• No promises of instant approval and no registry or certificate upsells
• Clear refund policy if a housing provider reasonably denies accommodation

Where Can You Get a Legitimate ESA Letter Online?

Any website that follows the steps outlined above is a legitimate place to acquire an ESA letter. You need to research, read up on federal & state laws, and look into the specific process any website uses for getting you an ESA letter. If the offer sounds too good to be true, there is a decent chance that the ESA provider isn’t 100% compliant with the law, and you may end up with an illegitimate ESA letter.

At Pettable we ensure that our letters are compliant and current with relevant law changes. We have you meet with a qualified licensed mental health professional who can write you a legitimate ESA letter. If you are seeking an ESA letter online, we’d be happy to help! Just take our brief assessment to get started and we will match you with an LMHP.

If you are considering going with another provider, we understand! Just be wary and ensure they are following the right processes to ensure you get a legitimate ESA letter.

ESA Letter Laws

Under federal law, ESA letters are the only valid documentation proving that you need an emotional support animal. This means that if you have an ESA letter, you are protected in the entire United States. However, some states have enforced laws that impose different requirements on the ESA letter process.

The Fair Housing Act (FHA)

While emotional support animals aren’t always granted the same public access rights as service animals, they are protected under federal ESA and service animal laws for housing under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). These laws exist to prevent discrimination against individuals for housing based on race, religion, orientation, gender identity, or disability. 

Individuals with disabilities or mental health conditions who use an emotional support animal have the legal right to live with their ESA in housing that doesn’t typically allow pets, has restrictive pet policies that prohibit certain breeds or sizes and is exempt from pet fees in rental housing.

FHA Reasonable Accommodation Basics

• Landlords may not charge pet fees or pet deposits for ESAs
• Breed, size, and weight restrictions do not apply to ESAs
• Housing providers may verify your documentation but cannot require disclosure of your diagnosis or medical details
• Tenants remain responsible for damages beyond normal wear and tear and for any animal that poses a direct threat

State-Specific ESA Letter Requirements

While emotional support animals are protected across the United States thanks to a couple of federal laws, some rules around ESAs still vary from state to state. The main thing you need to understand is the 30-day law, which many states have implemented. This rule makes it mandatory to establish a minimum of a 30-day relationship with your healthcare provider before they can write you an ESA letter. This law is in place to ensure that only those who need an emotional support animal get an ESA letter. The following states have passed laws that require this 30-day relationship for an ESA letter:

• California (Law AB-468) - requires a minimum 30 day therapeutic relationship before issuing ESA documentation
• Montana (Law HB-703) - requires a provider-patient relationship of at least 30 days prior to issuing an ESA letter
• Arkansas (Law HB-1420) - requires 30 days of provider-patient relationship before an ESA letter can be provided
• Louisiana (Law HB-407) - establishes a 30 day relationship requirement for ESA documentation
• Iowa (Law SF-2268) - requires a minimum of 30 days of care by the provider before issuing an ESA letter

If you are seeking an ESA letter through an online source, be sure they are staying compliant with these laws. At Pettable we stay updated with every new law, to ensure our ESA letters remain compliant. If you are getting an ESA letter in any of the above states, we will schedule you for two separate consultations across 30 days to satisfy the requirements of the law.

Air Travel and ESAs (ACAA)

Emotional support animals are not recognized for air travel access under the Air Carrier Access Act. Airlines generally treat ESAs as pets for travel purposes. If you need travel access for a disability-related need, consider whether a psychiatric service dog is the right path for you.

Reviewed for accuracy on December 2025.

What's on a Legitimate ESA Letter?

A legitimate emotional support animal letter should include all of the following:

• Official letterhead of the practice of your health professional
• License number of the mental health professional providing the ESA letter
• Your name
• A statement the client meets the qualifications for a mental health disorder or disability
• The health professional’s recommendation of your need for an ESA

Example phrasing: “This letter verifies that [Client Name] is under my professional care for a mental health condition as recognized by applicable housing guidance. In my clinical opinion, an emotional support animal is recommended as a reasonable accommodation to assist with symptoms related to this condition under the Fair Housing Act.”

While an ESA letter needs to contain this information, it doesn’t need to include specifics about your diagnosis.

How Long Is an ESA Letter Valid?

Many housing providers expect an ESA letter dated within the past 12 months. If your landlord requests a more current letter, ask your clinician about renewal to keep your documentation up to date.

Does the Letter Need My Pet’s Details?

Your ESA letter verifies your need for an emotional support animal. It is not required to list your animal’s species, name, or weight. Housing providers may ask reasonable questions to understand the accommodation, but the letter itself centers on your need, not the pet’s identity.

What Makes Pettable ESA Letters Legitimate?

Pettable is the top provider of legitimate online ESA letters, working with mental health professionals and individuals who need an emotional support animal and supporting documentation all over the United States.

Our ESA Letters Are Written by Real Clinicians in Your State

Pettable works with a wide network of clinicians and healthcare professionals in all 50 states, meaning we can guarantee our ability to match you with a provider in your area who knows both the federal and local state requirements for providing you with a legal, legitimate ESA letter.

We Require a Verbal Mental Health Consultation

Unlike illegitimate companies that promise to fast-track ESA letters, Pettable takes the time to ensure every individual seeking our services has a verbal or video consultation with a licensed mental health professional. Our clinicians are paid per consultation - not per approval - so there’s no incentive to approve or deny you other than legitimate need.

Our Clinicians Have Complete Discretion

Working within federal and state laws and the required information for ESA letters, Pettable's team of qualified clinicians are professional and discrete when it comes to your records, and will only provide the information legally required of them to make sure your ESA letter is legal, legitimate, and recognized by landlords for housing and in any other instance you may need.

We Follow Federal and State Regulations

Pettable’s network of providers in every state means our team includes professionals who are not only up-to-date and experienced at working with federal regulations for emotional support animals and providing ESA letters but who are also familiar with individual laws in every state. No matter where you live in the U.S., Pettable can match you with a provider who can get you on your way to a legitimate ESA letter.

Signs of an Illegitimate ESA Provider

When searching for an ESA provider, be on the lookout for these telltale signs an agency may be an illegitimate provider of ESA letters.

No Verbal Consultation with a Clinician

An agency that doesn’t require individuals to consult with a licensed health professional or other licensed clinician is a red flag for ESA providers. Taking the time to assess individual needs and ensure a qualifying disability is present is essential for quality care.

“Instant” ESA Letter Approval

Instant approvals for an ESA letter after answering only a few questions are almost always a scam. For an ESA letter to be legitimate individuals must consult with a health professional directly, which can’t be done “instantly".

Offers an ESA “Registry”

Providers offering an ESA “registry” are also almost always a scam. There is no legally recognized registry for service animals or emotional support animals in the U.S. Charging for “registration” of an assistance animal is a scam.

Provides ID Badges or ESA “Certificates”

Agencies that promise to provide ID badges or ESA “certificates” might not be providing legitimate ESA documentation. The only legal paperwork that can certify an emotional support animal is an ESA letter provided by a licensed health professional and containing all the required information.

Additional Red Flags

• Prices that are far below typical clinician consult rates
• No provider contact information or license details shown
• Outdated claims such as promising ESA air travel access under the ACAA
• Unwillingness to support reasonable landlord verification

How to Get a Legitimate ESA Letter with Pettable

Getting a legitimate ESA letter from Pettable is simple, affordable, and legitimate with our guaranteed process. 

1. Complete Our Online Assessment

Start by completing Pettable’s brief assessment to determine your specific needs and get matched with a licensed healthcare provider in your state. The assessment generally only takes about 3 minutes!

2. Attend Your Consultation with a Licensed Clinician

Once we’ve matched you with the right provider, you’ll attend a consultation via video or phone to reach your diagnosis and be sure your disability qualifies for an emotional support animal.

3. Receive Your ESA Letter

After the required number of consultations depending on your state, if approved, your clinician will provide you with a legal, legitimate ESA letter! Pettable’s experts work together to ensure your needs are met and your ESA letter contains all the required information to work for you. Get started with Pettable today!