ESA Verification: Make Sure Your ESA Is Valid

Emotional support animals (ESAs) are some of the most valuable animal companions around today, and if you suspect that you would benefit from an ESA, you may be wondering what it takes to get one.

In general, you will need to make sure your ESA verification is up-to-date if you wish to take advantage of your legally protected ESA rights. This can involve working with a mental healthcare provider licensed in your state. Our article tells you more about ESA verification and how to ensure your ESA is protected.

What Is an ESA?

An emotional support animal is any animal that helps relieve the symptoms of a mental health condition or disability with their presence. ESAs can be any animal, as long as that animal is legal to own and provides comfort to their owner, and they do not need to be trained, unlike service animals.

All emotional support animals must have a valid ESA letter, as this is the documentation that verifies an ESA is legitimate and able to take advantage of federally protected housing benefits.

How Do I Get a Valid ESA?

If you think you would benefit from an emotional support animal in your life, it’s vital to take the time to speak with your therapist or another mental healthcare provider licensed in your state. With the exception of a handful of states that allow medical doctors to prescribe ESAs, your mental healthcare provider is the only person who is able to evaluate your condition.

An appointment with your therapist or provider is the first step, and it may take several appointments to fully evaluate your need for an ESA. Once you are approved for your ESA, your provider will write you an ESA letter, and you can use this document to access your protected housing rights.

ESA Verification: What to Know

When it comes to ESA verification, there are a few basic things to know. Our list below helps you understand the most important points regarding ESA verification.

• A landlord or property manager will ask for ESA verification documents after you request housing accommodations. Your housing accommodations are protected under the federal Fair Housing Act.
• You must produce a valid ESA letter if you wish your housing accommodations request to be honored. Attempting to live with an animal without a valid ESA letter will cause your companion to be treated like a pet and subject to applicable rules.
• Only a mental healthcare provider licensed in your state can provide you with a valid ESA letter stating your need. A letter purchased online or printed off the internet is likely not valid.

It’s also important to note that even if your ESA is valid and verified, you can legally be denied housing accommodations if your animal is out of control, destructive, or a health and safety risk to others.

What Happens if My ESA Is Not Verified?

If your ESA is not verified through documentation or otherwise found to be invalid, you will not be able to access your protected housing rights in most states. You must have the proper documentation to validate your ESA; without it, your animal companion will generally be treated like a pet. You will be required to adhere to pet rules, breed restrictions, and pet-related fees or security deposits.

Do I Need to Register My ESA?

ESA verification through a valid ESA letter is required for emotional support animal owners, while registering your ESA in a database is not required. However, many owners choose to register their ESA, as it may be easier to have their support animal’s documents in one easy-to-access place online.

Some ESA registration services also offer you ID cards and other helpful documents. You are not required to have these or show them to anyone, but many do as a way to simplify accessing their legally protected ESA rights.

Getting the ESA Verification You Need

Your emotional support animal is likely a necessary companion animal, and it’s essential that you keep your ESA at your side no matter where you live so you can benefit from it. As you start to request housing accommodations for your ESA, it’s likely that your ESA will need to be verified.

Ensure you have a valid ESA letter on hand and written by a mental healthcare provider licensed in your state so that you can provide ESA verification when necessary.