Help Center & FAQs
ESA letters are issued by licensed clinicians after a clinical evaluation for use as Fair Housing Act documentation. We do not guarantee any landlord or school will approve your request.
What is an affordable ESA letter and is it legal for housing?
An affordable ESA letter is a clinician-signed emotional support animal letter for housing. PetCerts offers an ESA housing letter from a licensed clinician for $95 + tax, issued only if the clinician determines you qualify. An online registration or ID alone is not a clinician's letter.
How much does an ESA letter cost at PetCerts?
PetCerts ESA housing letters start at $95 + tax per year after a telehealth evaluation with a licensed mental health professional. See current options on https://petcerts.com/esa-letter and https://petcerts.com/pricing.
What is an ESA letter?
An ESA letter is documentation from a licensed mental health professional stating you have a disability-related need for an emotional support animal in housing under the Fair Housing Act (FHA).
What is a PSD letter?
A psychiatric service dog (PSD) letter documents a mental health disability and the need for a dog trained to perform disability-related tasks. Under the ADA, trained PSDs have public-access rights that ESAs don't. Under U.S. DOT rules, airlines generally must transport trained service dogs, including psychiatric service dogs, and may require DOT forms; a clinician letter is not what airlines ask for.
Is an ESA the same as a service dog?
No. An ESA provides support but isn't trained to perform tasks; a psychiatric service dog is individually trained to perform disability-related tasks and is a service animal under the ADA.
Will landlords always approve a valid ESA letter?
No. A letter supports a request for a reasonable accommodation; it does not guarantee any particular outcome. Rules differ by state and by property.
How fast can I get an ESA or PSD letter?
Timing depends on your clinician's evaluation and on your state. Some states require a client relationship of at least 30 days before a letter can be issued.
Can I use an ESA letter for airline travel?
No. Airlines follow DOT rules and are not required to treat emotional support animals as service animals. If you need cabin access, ask about a PSD letter instead of an ESA letter.
Do I need an in-person visit for an ESA letter?
It depends on your state. Some states require a client relationship of at least 30 days (for example, Louisiana and Montana, and California and Arkansas for emotional support dogs), and Florida requires at least one in-person visit before an out-of-state practitioner's information counts. See your state page.
Can I get a PetCerts letter in any state?
We serve most states, but some states have extra rules for ESA documentation, including waiting periods. See your state page before you order.
How long is an ESA letter valid?
There's no federal expiration date, but many housing providers ask for a recent letter, so we recommend renewing every year.
Where do I order an ESA letter online?
Order through PetCerts at https://petcerts.com/esa-letter. You complete a screening questionnaire, and a licensed clinician reviews your answers. If approved, you receive your letter digitally.
Do You Qualify?
Take our 2-minute screening questionnaire to see if your symptoms qualify for an ESA or PSD letter.
- 50-State Clinical Network
- If your licensed clinician determines you don't qualify, you get a full refund, including tax. Refunds are automatic to your original payment method within 5–10 business days of the clinician's decision.
Support line 833-462-2786