What Should a Real ESA Letter Look Like?

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Written By:
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Mary Austin, CCO

Reviewed By:
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Eileen Mckenzie, LMFT

Updated: November 19th, 2025

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If you are applying for housing with an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), your landlord will likely ask for documentation. But what exactly are they looking for? Many people search for an emotional support animal letter example to see if their documentation will pass a landlord’s inspection—or to spot a fake before they get scammed.

An official ESA letter is not just a certificate or a registration card (neither of which are legally binding under the Fair Housing Act). It is a formal prescription from a licensed mental health professional (LMHP).

Below, we’ll break down exactly what needs to be in the letter and provide an example of what a valid document looks like.

The 5 Must-Have Components of a Valid ESA Letter

Before we look at the text example, you need to know the requirements. Under federal guidelines, a landlord is legally allowed to verify specific details. If your letter is missing these, it could be rejected.

Official Letterhead: The letter must be on the professional letterhead of the therapist or doctor. This includes their practice name and contact details.
License Information: It must explicitly state the provider’s license type (e.g., LCSW, Psychologist, MD), license number, and the state where they are licensed.
Date of Issuance: Landlords typically require letters to be dated within the last 12 months.
Confirmation of Disability: The letter must state that you have a qualifying mental or emotional disability (though it does not need to disclose the specific diagnosis for privacy reasons).
The Prescription: A clear statement that the animal is necessary to alleviate symptoms of that disability.

An example of an ESA Letter, these are important things to look for when making sure your letter is legitimate. You’ll want to make sure the LMHP’s credentials and information are all listed on the letterhead and verify online that it’s real. The NPI lookup is a great resource to use for this. It’s recommended that landlords ask for verification forms (accommodation forms) to be completed by the LMHP who wrote the letter as an additional way to ensure it is legitimate.

Emotional Support Animal Letter Example

Note: This text is for educational purposes only. You cannot copy/paste this to give to a landlord. It must be signed by a licensed professional who has evaluated you.

[Letterhead: Smith Mental Health Services] 123 Wellness Way, Suite 100, Springfield, IL 62704 Phone: (555) 010-5555 | Email: drsmith@example.com

Date: November 19, 2025

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to verify that [Patient Name] is currently under my professional care for the treatment of a mental-emotional disability. I am familiar with the functional limitations imposed by this disability.

Due to this disability, [Patient Name] has certain limitations regarding [e.g., social interaction, coping with stress, anxiety, etc.]. In order to help alleviate these difficulties and enhance their ability to live independently and fully use and enjoy their dwelling, I have prescribed an Emotional Support Animal (ESA).

The presence of this animal is necessary for the emotional health of my patient because its presence will mitigate the symptoms they are currently experiencing.

I am a licensed mental health professional in the state of [State Name] and am knowledgeable about the therapeutic benefits of assistance animals for people with disabilities.

Sincerely,

[Signature]

Jane Smith, LCSW Licensed Clinical Social Worker License #: 12345678 State of Licensure: Illinois

Why “Instant” PDF Downloads Don’t Work

If you search for “ESA letter templates” online, you will see websites offering instant PDF downloads where you just fill in the blanks yourself. These are invalid.

Landlords are becoming increasingly educated on ESA laws. If they call the phone number on a fake letterhead and it doesn’t lead to a licensed clinic, or if they check the license number and it doesn’t exist, your request will be denied.

A real ESA letter requires a real assessment. It protects you and ensures your rights are actually upheld under the Fair Housing Act.

Get a Verified ESA Letter from a Licensed Professional

Don’t risk your housing application with a fake template. At Emotional Pet Support, we connect you directly with licensed mental health professionals who can evaluate your situation and write a legitimate, legally recognized ESA letter.

100% Compliant with Fair Housing Laws
Signed by Real Mental Health Professionals
Quick & Secure Process
We also have a Risk-Free, 30-day Refund Policy

Get Your Legally-Valid ESA Documentation

FAQs On ESA Letters Legitimacy & Examples

What should a valid ESA letter look like?

A legitimate Emotional Support Animal letter looks like a formal prescription or recommendation letter, not a certificate or diploma. Visually, it must be printed on the professional letterhead of a licensed mental health professional. To be valid for housing, the document must clearly display:

The Assessment: A statement confirming you have a qualifying condition and that the animal is necessary to alleviate symptoms.

Provider Details: The therapist’s name, contact info, and signature.

License Information: The provider’s specific license type, license number, and the state of licensure.

Date: A current date (typically within the last 12 months).

Does an ESA letter need to be notarized?

No. A notarized stamp does not make an ESA letter valid. In fact, many “scam” sites use notarization seals to make their fake documents look official. The only thing that makes an ESA letter valid is the signature and license details of a valid Mental Health Professional (LMHP).

Can my landlord deny my Emotional Support Animal letter?

In most cases, no. Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords must provide reasonable accommodation for emotional support animals, even if they have a “no pets” policy. However, they can legally deny a request if:

The animal is too large for the specific accommodation (e.g., a pony in a studio apartment).

The letter is from a non-licensed source (like a fake certificate website).

The animal poses a direct threat to the safety of others or the property.

Can I write my own ESA letter or use a free template?

No. For the document to be legally binding under the Fair Housing Act, it must be written and signed by a licensed healthcare professional who has evaluated you. Writing it yourself or downloading a “fill-in-the-blank” PDF constitutes fraud and will likely lead to your housing application being rejected.

Does an ESA letter expire?

Yes. Most landlords and housing authorities require an ESA letter to be dated within the last 12 months. If you have a letter from a few years ago, you will likely need to renew it to prove that your need for the animal is still current.

Is there an official “ESA Registration” database?

No. There is no government-run “registry” for Emotional Support Animals. Websites that ask you to pay to put your dog’s name in a database and send you a generic ID card are selling you a novelty item, not a legal document. The letter is the only document that legally matters for housing.

What happens if I give my landlord a fake ESA letter?

Using a fake or template-based ESA letter can lead to your housing application being denied immediately. In some states, misrepresenting an animal as an assistance animal is also a misdemeanor offense that carries fines. Landlords are becoming experts at spotting “instant download” letters. The safest route is always a legitimate evaluation from a licensed professional.

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