GetPetESA Basics: How State-Licensed ESA Letters Work Online

Renters who share their home with an animal that supports their mental health often hit the same wall: a lease that bans pets. GetPetESA is built for that moment. It matches renters with mental health professionals licensed in their state, who review each assessment and decide whether a housing letter is appropriate.

Who GetPetESA Is For

GetPetESA serves renters in the United States who live with a condition that limits part of daily life and whose animal helps with it. It offers two documents: an ESA letter for emotional support animals, and a PSD letter for psychiatric service dogs trained to perform tasks related to a condition. GetPetESA is not a law firm, a government agency, or a registry. Independent clinicians make every clinical decision. Support is available in English and Spanish.

The Process in Four Steps

Take the free assessment. It takes about four minutes and asks for your state, your animal, and how you have been feeling. No account or payment is needed.
Choose your letter. You see the price first, then pay by card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay through Stripe.
Clinician review. A professional licensed in your state reviews your answers and decides whether to write a letter.
Receive your letter. If one is issued, it arrives signed and dated with the clinician’s license details, usually within one to two business days after your evaluation.

The How it works page covers each stage in detail.

What It Costs

ESA letter, one animal: $99
ESA letter, two or three animals: $129
PSD letter: $119
ESA and PSD letters together: $169
Annual renewal: $79

There is no subscription, and you pay only after the assessment. If no letter is issued, you receive a full refund. The pricing page shows what each option includes.

Why Your State Matters

Licensing rules differ across the country, which is why the assessment asks for your state first. Your evaluation goes to a clinician licensed where you live. California, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, and Montana also require a 30-day client relationship before a letter can be written, and that period begins when your clinician starts your evaluation. To see what applies to you, open the ESA letter by state guides, which cover who may write a letter, waiting periods, fee rules, and where to file a complaint.

Housing Rules in 2026

Federal guidance has changed twice in the past year. HUD withdrew its 2020 assistance animal guidance on September 17, 2025, and on May 22, 2026, it narrowed its enforcement to cases involving animals trained to help with a disability. The Fair Housing Act and its reasonable accommodation rule did not change, and private lawsuits remain available. California, Colorado, Maryland, New York City, and Pennsylvania have said ESAs stay protected under their own fair housing laws. Follow updates in the housing rights guide.

Signs of a Credible Letter

The United States has no official ESA registry, ID card, or certificate, and Florida, Iowa, and Montana say online registrations do not count as documentation. A credible letter shows:

The clinician’s name, license type, license number, and issuing state
A statement that you have a condition limiting a major life activity, without naming your diagnosis
The name of your animal
A signature and a current date

GetPetESA also lets landlords confirm a letter. They send the reference number through the landlord information page, and with your permission the service confirms that it was issued, by which clinician, and on what date. No health information is shared, and there is no charge. Preview the format in the sample ESA letter and read about evaluation standards on the clinical standards page.

What a Letter Cannot Do

A letter supports your request, but the housing provider makes the final decision. A request can be denied if the animal poses a direct threat, would cause major damage, or creates an undue burden, and some small owner-occupied buildings are exempt. Air travel also differs. Since January 2021, airlines treat emotional support animals as pets, so GetPetESA does not sell travel letters. More answers are in the FAQ.

Take the First Step

If you want housing documentation for an emotional support animal, GetPetESA offers a free assessment, a clinician licensed in your state, upfront pricing, and a refund if no letter is issued. Start your free assessment or explore getpetesa.com.

GetPetESA is not a law firm, and nothing in this article is legal advice.