What Does a Real ESA Letter Look Like? All You Need to Know

What Is an ESA Letter?

An ESA letter is a formal document written and signed by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) such as a therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or physician. It confirms that you have a qualifying mental or emotional health condition and that an emotional support animal is part of your treatment plan. To be legally valid, the letter must come from a licensed professional who can write ESA letters in your state and who has evaluated your mental or emotional health.

This letter gives you housing protections under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), allowing you to live with your ESA even in “no pets” housing without paying pet fees.

Important: An ESA letter is not the same as an ESA certificate, registration, or ID card. Those things are not legally required and are often sold by untrustworthy services.

Ever Wondered What an ESA Letter Includes?

If you’re wondering what an ESA letter looks like, it’s usually a one-page professional document that includes all of the following:

• Official letterhead of the licensed provider
• Full contact information of the provider (phone, email, address)
• License number, type, and state of issuance
• Date of issue and provider’s signature
• Your full name and confirmation that you are under the provider’s care
• A statement that your condition benefits from an emotional support animal
• Mention of housing rights under the Fair Housing Act

Most ESA letters are one page long and written in a professional tone. No detailed medical history is required.

Want to see exactly what an ESA letter looks like? Here's how it looks like:

Sample ESA Letter

How to Spot Fake ESA Letters (And Why It Matters)

Unfortunately, many websites sell fake ESA letters, registrations, or certificates that don’t hold legal weight. Submitting one of these to your landlord can result in denied housing or even legal consequences.

Signs of a Fake ESA Letter:

❌ No provider contact info or license number
❌ Generic or automated documents
❌ “Certificates” or “registrations” with no mention of housing rights
❌ Letters not written by a licensed US-based mental health professional
❌ No reference to the Fair Housing Act
❌ Promotes “delivered instantly” 

✅ A real ESA letter is personalized, verifiable, and compliant with housing laws.

ESA Letters and the Law

The Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects individuals with emotional support animals and outlines key ESA laws that every tenant and landlord should understand. Landlords must make reasonable accommodations, even in buildings with strict “no pet” policies.

Landlords cannot:

• Charge pet fees or deposits for an ESA
• Ask for medical records or detailed diagnoses
• Deny your request solely because of breed, size, or species (within reason)

However, they can ask for a valid ESA letter, and the landlord may legally deny requests that are unsupported or fraudulent.

How to Get a Legitimate ESA Letter

To ensure your ESA letter is valid and respected by landlords:

• Be evaluated by a licensed mental health professional (either in-person or via secure telehealth).
• Avoid websites offering instant approvals or no medical background checks.
• Make sure your letter contains all required elements (listed above)
• Keep a copy for your records and provide one to your landlord upon request.

If you're unsure where to start, try RealESALetter.com and connect directly with licensed mental health professionals.

ESA letters typically remain valid for about a year, especially for housing. Landlords may ask for updated documentation to confirm your ongoing need for an emotional support animal. To stay compliant, make sure you request an ESA letter renewal from your licensed provider when needed.

Understanding what a real ESA letter looks like is essential to protecting your housing rights and avoiding the risks of using illegitimate documents. A genuine ESA letter is a professionally written, legally compliant statement from a licensed mental health provider that affirms your need for an emotional support animal.