Q: How much does an ESA letter cost?

A legitimate ESA letter costs between $149-$199 for the initial evaluation with a licensed therapist. CertaPet's ESA letters start at $149 with a 100% money-back guarantee if not approved. Beware of services offering "free" or instant letters that look very inexpensive: these are scams. Real ESA letters require a consultation with a state-licensed mental health professional, which has a cost associated with the therapist's time and expertise. Annual renewals start at $99

Q: How do I get an ESA letter with CertaPet?

Getting your ESA letter with CertaPet is simple and takes 4 steps: 1. Take Free 5-Minute ScreeningComplete our eligibility questionnaire to see if you qualify for an ESA 2. Complete AssessmentProvide your information 3. Speak with Licensed TherapistA state-licensed mental health professional will contact you within 2 business days to schedule a phone or video consultation 4. Receive Your ESA LetterIf approved, download your digital letter immediately. Hard copies are sent via USPS priority mail (2-3 business days) Total timeline: 2-5 business days from start to finish If not approved by the therapist, you receive a full refund - 100% money-back guarantee. Note: Canadian residents can also apply for ESA housing consultations.

Q: How long does it take to get an ESA letter?

With CertaPet: Therapist contacts you: Within 2 business days Digital letter if approved: Immediately after consultation Hard copy delivery: 2-3 business days via USPS priority mail Total timeline: 2-5 business days from application to letter in hand.

Q: Can I get an ESA letter online?

Yes, you can get a legitimate ESA letter online through HIPAA-compliant telehealth platforms like CertaPet. You'll have a real consultation with a state-licensed therapist via phone or video call. Online ESA letters are just as valid as in-person evaluations, as long as they're issued by a licensed mental health professional after a proper assessment. ⚠️ Warning: "Free" online ESA letters or instant approvals with no evaluation are scams and will be rejected by landlords.

Q: Can I get an ESA letter if I don't have a pet yet?

Yes. CertaPet offers an option for people who don't have their pet yet. Select "I don't have my pet yet" during registration for an additional $20. You'll receive an initial recommendation letter. Once you adopt or purchase your pet, update the details and complete a shorter assessment to receive a second letter with your pet's specific information. This is common for people who need housing approval before adopting an ESA.

Q: Are CertaPet ESA letters legitimate?

Yes, CertaPet ESA letters are 100% legitimate and legally valid. Each letter is issued by a state-licensed mental health professional after a real evaluation, an instant approval never takes place. CertaPet credentials: ✓ BBB Gold Star accredited ✓ Veteran-owned since 2015 ✓ Licensed therapists in all 50 states ✓ 278,000+ pet parents helped ✓ 99.7% housing acceptance rate ✓ HIPAA-compliant platform Our letters meet all Fair Housing Act requirements.

Q: Who writes ESA letters at CertaPet?

CertaPet's ESA letters are written by state-licensed mental health professionals, including: Licensed therapists (LMFT, LCSW, LPC) Psychologists (PhD, PsyD) Psychiatrists (MD, DO) Clinical social workers Every therapist is selected and trained by Prairie Conlon, LPC, NCC—CertaPet's Clinical Director and the world's leading expert on Emotional Support Animals. Each therapist is licensed in the state where you live and qualified to assess ESA eligibility.

Q: What is CertaPet's refund policy?

CertaPet offers a 100% money-back guarantee if not approved.

Q: Can CertaPet help with landlord issues?

Yes. CertaPet provides comprehensive landlord support: Educational materials explaining Fair Housing Act rights Direct therapist verification available Housing accommodation request letter templates Customer support team to answer landlord questions Resources for filing HUD complaints if needed Our therapists are trained and equipped to handle any ESA dispute with landlords or housing complexes, ensuring your housing rights are upheld. 99.7% of landlords accept CertaPet letters.

Q: What's the difference between an ESA letter and a PSD letter?

An ESA (Emotional Support Animal) letter and a PSD (Psychiatric Service Dog) letter provide different legal protections based on the type of animal and training involved. ESA Letter (Emotional Support Animal) What it covers: Housing rights ONLY under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) Allows you to live with your animal in no-pet housing Protects against pet deposits, pet rent, and breed/size restrictions Requirements: No specialized training required Animal provides comfort through companionship alone Can be any domesticated animal (dog, cat, rabbit, etc.) PSD Letter (Psychiatric Service Dog) What it covers: Housing rights under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) Air travel at no cost under the Air Carrier Access Act Full public access to restaurants, stores, hotels, and all public spaces under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Requirements: Must be a dog (or miniature horse in rare cases) Must be individually trained to perform specific tasks related to a psychiatric disability Tasks must directly assist with the handler's disability (e.g., interrupting panic attacks, reminding to take medication, providing deep pressure therapy during anxiety episodes)

Question 1

How can I tell if my ESA letter is fake?

Accepted Answer

You can tell if your ESA letter is fake by checking for these red flags: (1) no licensed professional's name, credentials, or license number, (2) contact information that doesn't work or goes to a call center, (3) generic language not specific to your situation, (4) mentions of "registration" or "certification," (5) instant delivery with no consultation, (6) professional letterhead missing or using fake clinic names, and (7) spelling or formatting errors. Legitimate letters always include verifiable provider credentials.

Question 2

What does a legitimate ESA letter look like?

Accepted Answer

A legitimate ESA letter is printed on professional letterhead and includes: the licensed mental health professional's full name and credentials (LMHC, LCSW, PhD, MD), their license number and issuing state, current contact information (phone, email, office address), the date (within the past 12 months), confirmation of your mental health condition, statement that your ESA provides therapeutic benefit, and an original signature. It should be 1-2 pages and written in professional clinical language.

Question 3

Can landlords verify if an ESA letter is real?

Accepted Answer

Yes, landlords can and do verify ESA letters by calling the listed mental health professional, checking license numbers through state licensing boards, searching for the provider's practice online, requesting additional documentation if needed, and consulting with legal counsel if the letter appears fraudulent. HUD guidance specifically allows landlords to verify the authenticity of ESA documentation and reject fake letters.

Question 4

What happens if my landlord discovers my ESA letter is fake?

Accepted Answer

If your landlord discovers your ESA letter is fake, you may face: immediate denial of your housing application, eviction if you're already living there, loss of security deposits, requirement to pay all pet fees retroactively, fines up to $1,000 or more in states with ESA fraud laws, potential criminal misdemeanor charges, a damaged rental history affecting future housing, and legal fees if the landlord takes you to court.

Question 5

Are online ESA letters real or fake?

Accepted Answer

Online ESA letters can be real or fake depending on the service. Legitimate telehealth platforms like CertaPet connect you with licensed mental health professionals who conduct real evaluations and issue valid letters. Fake online ESA services offer instant letters with no consultation, claim to provide "free" letters, promise "registration" or "certification," use stock templates, and don't involve licensed professionals. Always verify the provider's credentials before trusting an online ESA service.

Question 6

What are the most common fake ESA letter red flags?

Accepted Answer

The most common fake ESA letter red flags are: (1) no mental health professional consultation required, (2) instant or same-day letter delivery, (3) mentions of "ESA registration" or "official ESA database," (4) no license number or unverifiable credentials, (5) generic template language, (6) contact information leads to call centers, (7) promises of 100% approval, (8) extremely low prices ($50 or less) or free letters, (9) claims of "lifetime certification," and (10) includes ID cards, vests, or certificates.

Question 7

How do I verify my mental health professional's license?

Accepted Answer

You can verify your mental health professional's license by visiting your state's professional licensing board website, searching their license database using the provider's name and license number, confirming their license is active and in good standing, checking for any disciplinary actions, and verifying they're licensed in your state. Every state maintains public databases where you can look up therapist, psychologist, and psychiatrist licenses online for free.

Question 8

Can I use an ESA letter from another state?

Accepted Answer

ESA letters from another state may not be valid because mental health professionals must be licensed in the state where you're receiving treatment and residing. If you move to a new state, you'll typically need a new ESA letter from a provider licensed in your new state. Landlords can reject out-of-state ESA letters, and using one when your provider isn't licensed in your current state could be considered fraudulent documentation.

Question 9

What should I do if I already submitted a fake ESA letter?

Accepted Answer

If you already submitted a fake ESA letter, you should: (1) stop using the fraudulent documentation immediately, (2) get a legitimate ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional as soon as possible, (3) proactively contact your landlord to explain the error and submit correct documentation, (4) be prepared to pay any pet fees that may have been waived, and (5) consult with a housing attorney if you're facing eviction. Honesty and immediate correction may help mitigate consequences.

Question 10

How can I check if an ESA letter service is legitimate?

Accepted Answer

You can check if an ESA letter service is legitimate by verifying: (1) they connect you with state-licensed mental health professionals, (2) they require a real consultation (not just a questionnaire), (3) provider credentials are clearly listed and verifiable, (4) they have verifiable business registration and accreditation, (5) customer reviews mention actual consultations with therapists, (6) they're transparent about their process and pricing, and (7) they don't promise "registration" or instant approval.

Question 11

Can fake ESA letter websites steal my identity?

Accepted Answer

Yes, fake ESA letter websites can steal your identity by collecting your personal information (name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, payment details) under the guise of processing your application. Many fraudulent ESA sites are designed specifically to harvest personal data for identity theft, credit card fraud, or selling to third parties. Only use verified, legitimate telehealth platforms with secure HIPAA-compliant systems.

Question 12

What legal consequences exist for using fake ESA documentation?

Accepted Answer

Legal consequences for using fake ESA documentation include: civil penalties up to $1,000+ in states like California, Florida, and Texas, misdemeanor criminal charges in jurisdictions with ESA fraud laws, eviction and housing discrimination claims from landlords, loss of housing benefits and protections, court-ordered restitution for fraudulent pet fee waivers, damaged credit and rental history, and potential federal charges if mail or wire fraud is involved. Penalties vary by state but are increasingly severe.

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