As demand for emotional support animal (ESA) documentation continues to rise, individuals seeking ESA letters face a growing challenge: distinguishing legitimate, compliant providers from online services that offer “instant approvals” with little to no legal validity. While these services may appear credible at first glance, many fail under review, leaving applicants vulnerable to denial or rejection.
A legally valid ESA letter must be issued by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) who is authorized to practice in the individual’s state or U.S. territory and who has conducted a proper clinical evaluation. This requirement remains the defining standard for ESA documentation and the primary factor considered when a letter is reviewed or challenged.
To address this issue, an independent review was conducted involving more than 50 hours of research, evaluating leading ESA service providers based on key criteria, including regulatory compliance, turnaround time, customer support, and the credibility of documentation when formally reviewed. The findings aim to help individuals identify services that meet established legal and professional standards while avoiding those that do not.
Following a comprehensive evaluation, ESA Pet emerged as the highest-rated provider overall. The full list below highlights the leading ESA letter companies currently operating in the market.
1. esapet.com
- Average rating: 6/6 stars
- Housing letter price: $120.00
- Travel letter price: $120.00
- Trustpilot score: 4.7
- Customer service score: 10/10
2. certapet.com
- Average rating: 5.5/6 stars
- Housing letter price: $149.99
- Travel letter price: $149.99
- Trustpilot score: 4.5
- Customer service score: 9/10
- Average rating: 4/6 stars
- Housing letter price: $179.99
- Travel letter price: $150.99
- Trustpilot score: 4.0
- Customer service score: 8/10
What makes an ESA letter site legit?
Here is the checklist we used to compare letters. Companies that didn't meet the following criteria did not make our list.
- A licensed LMHP who can practice in your state: This is the core requirement. A therapist or clinician must be licensed, and they must be able to legally provide services where you are located. If you live in Puerto Rico or another U.S. territory, the same idea applies: the provider must be appropriately licensed to serve you where you are. If a site does not clearly state this, or dodges questions about licensing, walk away.
- A real evaluation, not a “quiz”: A 60-second form that guarantees approval is a red flag. A legit service involves a clinical evaluation. It can be telehealth, but it still needs to be a real licensed professional.
- Professional letterhead in documentation: The letter should be on professional letterhead, include the clinician’s license details, and be written in a way that is recognizable to housing providers.
- Strong customer support: Most stress happens after you get the letter, when you are dealing with housing paperwork, timelines, or a landlord who asks questions. A good company helps you handle that calmly and correctly.
The 3 Best ESA Letter Sites
1. ESA Pet — Best overall for legitimacy and support
ESA Pet is our top pick because it consistently hits the things that matter most: legitimate clinical process, a real LMHP network, and strong customer support that helps you finish the job — not just buy a PDF.
Why it stands out:
- Real letters issued by licensed clinicians who can practice in your location
- Clear process that is designed to hold up if a landlord reviews the letter
- Customer service that actually helps, especially when someone is confused about what ESA documentation means
- Credibility signals that make the company feel like a legitimate operation, not a fly-by-night website
Best for:
- People who want the safest path to a valid letter
- Anyone worried about a landlord pushing back
- Busy people who want a smooth process and responsive help
What to watch for:
-
If you are shopping purely on price, you might find cheaper options online. Cheap is not the goal here. A useless letter is the most expensive outcome.
2. CertaPet — Best known brand and a solid option
CertaPet is widely recognized in the ESA space and has been around long enough that many landlords have seen their letters before. That familiarity can reduce friction in some cases.
Why it stands out:
- Strong name recognition compared to smaller, unknown providers
- Streamlined telehealth workflow that is generally easy for users
- Decent credibility footprint across the web and review platforms
Best for:
- People who want a well known brand
- People who want a straightforward experience and fast turnaround
What to watch for:
-
As with any larger provider, experiences can vary depending on timing and support load. If you have a tight deadline, confirm turnaround expectations early and keep your paperwork organized.
3. US Service Animals — Best for people who want an established provider
US Service Animals is another established company that many consumers trust because it feels structured and process driven. It is a solid choice if you want a more “institutional” vibe.
Why it stands out:
- Structured intake and documentation flow
- Established presence compared to random new ESA sites
- Focus on clarity for customers who are new to ESAs and housing rules
Best for:
- People who are anxious and want a step by step provider
- People who care about dealing with a company that feels stable
What to watch for:
-
Make sure you understand the difference between ESA documentation and service dog training claims. A credible provider will be clear about what an ESA letter does and does not do.
How to Choose Between the Top Three
If you only remember one thing, remember this: the letter is only as valid as the clinician relationship behind it. Use this simple decision logic below.
Choose ESA Pet if:
- You want the best blend of legitimacy, clinician coverage, and support.
- You expect questions from a landlord or property manager.
- You want fewer surprises.
Choose CertaPet if:
- You want a widely recognized brand.
- You are comfortable with a more standardized “big provider” experience.
Choose US Service Animals if:
- You want a structured process and an established provider.
- You value clear guidance and a steady, systemized flow.
What People Care About Most and What to Verify
Many people ask themselves, “will my letter actually work?” Most rejections happen for predictable reasons:
- The letter is missing license information.
- The clinician is not eligible to serve your state.
- The document looks like a template with no professional details.
- The customer submits the wrong thing to the landlord.
To reduce the risk of such occurrences:
- Confirm clinician licensing for your location.
- Get a landlord ready PDF on letterhead.
- Keep a clean copy of everything you submit.
Another common question is, “What if my landlord pushes back?”
A landlord can ask for documentation, but they generally cannot demand your diagnosis or private therapy notes. What they typically need is confirmation that you have a disability related need for an ESA. This is where customer support matters. A good provider helps you respond correctly, calmly, and with proper documentation.
People also think to themselves, “Is it fast?”
Many people need an ESA letter because of a move, a lease renewal, or a sudden policy change. Speed matters, but speed without legitimacy is a trap. A legitimate provider will give you a clear timeline and not promise “instant approval.”
Those outside the U.S. often wonder, “Can I do this from Puerto Rico or another territory?”
If you are in a U.S. territory like Puerto Rico, the key is still licensure and clinical eligibility. The provider should be able to connect you with an LMHP who can legally serve you where you are located. Do not assume all sites handle this smoothly. Verify before you pay.
Red Flags to Avoid — Even If the Site Looks Professional
- “Guaranteed approval” language
- A fake-looking badge that says “certified ESA”
- Selling “registrations” as if they replace a clinician letter
- No clear explanation of clinician licensing
- No real customer support contact options
- Pressure tactics like countdown timers and extreme discounts
If you see these, move on.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need an ESA registration?
No. There is no official government registry that makes an ESA “real.” What matters is a legitimate ESA letter from an LMHP who is eligible to serve you in your location.
Is an ESA the same as a service animal?
No. Service animals (usually dogs) are trained to perform tasks for a disability. An ESA provides emotional support but is not required to have specialized training. The rules and access rights are different.
How long does an ESA letter last?
It depends on how a landlord or housing provider interprets “current” documentation and what your clinician recommends. Many people renew annually to keep documentation fresh, but the best move is to follow guidance from the clinician and keep the letter current.
Can a landlord deny my ESA?
Housing rules vary by situation, but a landlord can question documentation if it appears invalid or incomplete. That is why clinician eligibility and professional documentation matter so much.
What if I already have a therapist?
If your own therapist is licensed and willing to write the letter, that can be a great option. Many people still use an ESA letter service when their therapist will not do documentation, is unfamiliar with ESA letters, or has limited availability.
Bottom Line
If you want the safest, most credible path, prioritize legitimacy over hype.
The top three options in this guide are strong because they focus on the only things that really matter: a real evaluation and a real ESA letter from a licensed clinician who can legally serve you in your location.
- Best overall: ESA Pet
- Strong brand option: CertaPet
- Established structured provider: US Service Animals
Additional Information
Reddit: www.reddit.com/r/Pets/comments/1phmes9/looking_for_legit_esa_letter_best_ways_to_get_a/
LA Weekly: www.laweekly.com/best-esa-letter-website/
PMC PubMed: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7517601/
Media Contact
Jason Crown
hello@levitatedmedia.com
