ESA letters from real, licensed providers
An emotional support animal letter has to come from a licensed mental health professional who actually evaluates you. Vitely connects you with NPI-verified providers who can do that by telehealth. We do not sell letters.
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What is an ESA letter?
It is a letter from a licensed mental health professional documenting that you have a condition an emotional support animal helps with. Under the federal Fair Housing Act, a valid ESA letter can let you live with your animal even where pets are restricted, and generally without pet fees.
Who can legally write one?
A licensed mental health professional with an active license and an NPI number, who has actually evaluated you and is licensed in your state. That includes therapists, psychologists, clinical social workers, counselors, psychiatrists, and psychiatric nurse practitioners.
Is a telehealth ESA letter valid?
Yes. Federal housing law does not treat a telehealth evaluation differently from an in-person one, as long as the evaluation is genuine and the provider is licensed in your state.
Your rights under the Fair Housing Act
An emotional support animal is treated as a reasonable accommodation, not a pet. Landlords generally cannot charge pet deposits or pet fees for one, and may request documentation but not your full medical record.
How to spot a fake ESA letter site
Be cautious of any site promising an instant or guaranteed letter for a flat fee with no real evaluation. Landlords can reject those, and relying on one can put your housing at risk. A legitimate letter comes from a real clinical relationship.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get an ESA letter online?
Find a mental health provider licensed in your state, complete a real evaluation (telehealth is fine), and if an emotional support animal is clinically appropriate they can write the letter. Vitely helps you find that provider. We do not issue letters ourselves.
Is a telehealth ESA letter legitimate?
Yes. Federal housing law does not distinguish between in-person and telehealth evaluations. A telehealth ESA letter is valid as long as the provider is licensed in your state and the evaluation is a real clinical assessment, not a flat-fee form.
Does the provider need to be licensed in my state?
Yes. The letter should come from a mental health professional licensed in the state where you live. That is why our per-state pages only surface providers licensed there.
How much does an ESA letter cost?
It depends on the provider, because you are paying for a real clinical evaluation, not a letter on its own. Searching Vitely is always free. Be cautious of any site offering an instant or guaranteed letter for a flat fee with no real evaluation.
Can my landlord charge a pet fee for my emotional support animal?
Under the federal Fair Housing Act, an emotional support animal is a reasonable accommodation, not a pet, so landlords generally cannot charge pet deposits or pet fees. A landlord may request documentation but is not entitled to your full medical record.
Does Vitely write ESA letters?
No. Vitely is a directory. We connect you with licensed, NPI-verified mental health providers who can evaluate whether an emotional support animal is right for you and write the letter if so.
Find an ESA-letter provider by state
Your provider must be licensed where you live. Pick your state to see providers licensed there.
Vitely is a provider directory and is not a HIPAA-covered entity. This page is general information, not legal or medical advice. Whether an emotional support animal is appropriate for you is a clinical decision made by a licensed provider. See our privacy policy.