What Makes an ESA Letter Official?

An ESA letter is official only if it meets certain important requirements. These requirements come from laws and guidelines that protect the rights of people who need emotional support animals. Without meeting these, an ESA letter is not valid and may be rejected by landlords, airlines, or other institutions.

This article explains exactly what makes an official ESa letter, what details it must include, who can write it, and how to recognize a legitimate letter.

1. The Letter Must Be Written by a Licensed Mental Health Professional

Only a licensed mental health professional can provide an official ESA letter. This includes:

• Licensed therapists
• Psychologists
• Psychiatrists
• Licensed clinical social workers
• Licensed professional counselors

The professional must have an active license in the state where they practice. This ensures the letter comes from a qualified expert who can diagnose mental or emotional disabilities.

Letters from unlicensed sources, online forms without evaluation, or friends and family are not official.

2. The Letter Must Be Based on a Real Evaluation

An official ESA letter is only valid if the mental health professional has personally evaluated the person requesting it. This evaluation can be in person or through a telehealth appointment, but it must involve a proper assessment of the person’s mental health condition.

Quick or automatic letters given without evaluation are fake. Only letters based on a proper mental health check carry legal weight.

3. The Letter Must State the Person Has a Mental or Emotional Disability

The letter must clearly confirm that the person has a diagnosed mental or emotional disability. This means a condition that significantly affects daily life or functioning.

Common qualifying conditions include anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and others recognized by mental health standards.

Without this confirmation, the letter cannot be official.

4. The Letter Must State the Emotional Support Animal Provides Therapeutic Benefit

An official ESA letter must explain that the animal helps the person with their mental health condition. It should say the ESA provides emotional support that eases symptoms or improves daily functioning.

Simply stating “I have an ESA” is not enough. The letter must clearly connect the ESA to the person’s health needs.

5. The Letter Must Include Specific Details About the Professional and Patient

A valid ESA letter contains:

• The licensed professional’s full name
• Their license type and license number
• Contact information (address, phone number)
• The patient’s full name
• Dates of evaluation and letter issuance
• This information allows verification of the letter’s authenticity.

6. The Letter Must Be Written on Professional Letterhead and Signed

The letter should be printed or sent on the mental health professional’s official letterhead, which includes their practice or clinic name and contact info. It must be signed and dated by the professional.

Unsigned or handwritten letters on plain paper often raise doubts about their validity.

7. The Letter Should Be Recent

Most official ESA letters are valid for one year from the date issued. This ensures that the person’s need for an ESA is current.

Letters older than one year are often not accepted, so keeping your letter updated is important.

8. The Letter Should Mention Compliance With Relevant Laws

A professional ESA letter often includes a statement saying it complies with laws like the Fair Housing Act (FHA). This confirms the letter’s purpose is to request reasonable accommodation for housing or travel.

Although not legally required, this statement adds credibility.

9. Official ESA Letters Do Not Cost Excessive Fees

While licensed professionals may charge for evaluations, official ESA letters should not require large upfront payments or come bundled with unrelated products.

Be cautious of websites that sell ESA letters for a fixed low price without evaluation—they often provide fake letters.

10. The Letter Must Be Used Only for the Person Named

An ESA letter is personal and valid only for the individual who was evaluated and named in the letter. You cannot use someone else’s letter or share it with others.

How to Avoid Fake or Invalid ESA Letters

• Check the professional’s license online if possible.
• Make sure the letter has all required information.
• Confirm that the letter is dated and signed properly.
• Avoid websites that give instant letters without an evaluation.
• If unsure, ask your landlord or airline what they accept.

What an Official ESA Letter Does Not Do

• It does not give full public access like service animals.
• It does not guarantee acceptance by all airlines, especially after recent policy changes.
• It does not replace professional mental health treatment.

Summary

An ESA letter is official only if it:

• Is written by a licensed mental health professional.
• Is based on a real evaluation of the person’s mental health.
• Confirms the person has a mental or emotional disability.
• States that ESA helps with the person’s condition.
• Includes detailed professional and patient information.
• Is printed on official letterhead and signed.
• Is recent (usually within one year).

Without these key elements, an ESA letter may be invalid and can be rejected by landlords or airlines.

Being aware of these rules helps protect your rights and avoid scams. Always obtain an ESA letter through legitimate channels to ensure it is official and legally accepted.