*Processing times vary by state. AR, CA, IA, LA, and MT residents require a 30-day period per state law.
Official ESA® is a registered trademark of Support Pets used for branding purposes only and does not imply endorsement, approval, or recognition by any government agency. References to ESA housing documentation reflect documentation that may support a request for reasonable housing accommodation under applicable law and are not guarantees of approval or outcome. Purchase of an evaluation or documentation service does not guarantee approval, eligibility, or issuance of an ESA letter. Any promotional savings offers are subject to terms and may change.
Service dog vests, ID cards, and other gear are optional accessories and do not grant or establish legal service animal status or public access rights.
Under current applicable federal law, regulations, and guidance, pets legally qualify as emotional support animals (ESA) only for persons who have an impairment substantially limiting one or more major life activities and who need an ESA for their disability (not including impairments due to the current illegal use of drugs). A dog qualifies as a psychiatric service dog (PSD) only when the handler has a disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities under the ADA, and the dog is trained to perform specific tasks directly related to that disability.
For purposes of reasonable accommodations in terms of housing, waivers of no-pet policies and pet fees are only legally required for individuals who have qualifying disabilities. Many states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Maine, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and others, make it a criminal offense punishable by significant fines to falsely or fraudulently misrepresent the need for a service or emotional support animal in connection with seeking reasonable accommodations in terms of housing. Under Section 365.7 of the California Penal Code, knowingly misrepresenting an animal as a service dog is a misdemeanor.
Certain states have specific timing requirements related to housing-related ESA letters. For example, California, Iowa, and Montana require that a state-licensed mental health professional maintain an established therapeutic relationship with a client for at least 30 days, consistent with an ongoing therapeutic relationship, before an ESA letter may be legally issued, if clinically appropriate. These requirements apply specifically to housing-related ESA documentation.