How Much Does an ESA Letter Actually Cost?
An emotional support animal (ESA) letter from a licensed mental health professional typically costs between $100 and $250 for an initial evaluation and letter. Some telehealth services charge as little as $60, while in-person therapy sessions that include an ESA assessment can run $150–$300 depending on your location and the provider.
Here’s what drives the price:
- Online telehealth platforms: $60–$150 (fastest, often same-day)
- Your existing therapist: $0–$50 (if you’re already in treatment and just need the letter)
- New in-person evaluation: $150–$300 (includes full mental health assessment)
- Insurance-covered therapy: Potentially free if your therapist agrees to write the letter
The important thing to understand: you’re paying for a legitimate mental health evaluation, not the letter itself. Any site selling “ESA registration” or “ESA certification” without a licensed professional evaluation is a scam.
Breaking Down ESA Letter Costs by Provider Type
Telehealth ESA Services ($60–$150)
Online platforms like Pettable, CertaPet, and ESA Pet connect you with licensed mental health professionals (LMHPs) via video call. The process usually takes 15–30 minutes, and you get your letter within 24–48 hours if approved.
These platforms are legitimate as long as they require a live consultation with a licensed professional. Under federal guidelines updated in 2024, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) still accepts ESA letters from telehealth providers, provided the professional is licensed in your state.
Typical pricing from major platforms:
- Pettable: $149 for housing letter, $199 for housing + travel bundle
- CertaPet: $149 for standard evaluation
- ESA Pet: $129 for housing letter
Prices as of early 2026. These change frequently.
Your Current Therapist or Doctor ($0–$50)
If you’re already seeing a therapist or psychiatrist for anxiety, depression, PTSD, or another qualifying condition, asking them to write your ESA letter is the cheapest option by far. Many will do it at no extra charge or for a small administrative fee.
The catch? Not every mental health professional is comfortable writing ESA letters. Some worry about liability or simply haven’t done it before. If your therapist says no, don’t push it — find a provider who specializes in these evaluations.
To learn more about what qualifies and what the letter should include, check out our complete guide to getting an ESA letter.
New In-Person Evaluation ($150–$300)
Going to a new therapist specifically for an ESA evaluation is the most expensive route, but it’s also the most thorough. You’ll get a full mental health assessment, which can be valuable beyond just the ESA letter.
Some people prefer this approach because it creates a stronger clinical relationship, which can matter if a landlord challenges your letter. A provider who has conducted a comprehensive evaluation can stand behind their recommendation more confidently than someone who spent 15 minutes on a video call.
Free and Affordable Ways to Get an ESA Letter
1. Use Your Health Insurance
If your insurance covers mental health visits (most plans do under the Mental Health Parity Act), your out-of-pocket cost for a therapy session could be as low as a $20–$40 copay. During that session, discuss your need for an emotional support animal. If your therapist determines it’s appropriate, the letter is essentially free.
How to find a covered provider:
- Search your insurance company’s provider directory for therapists or psychologists
- Call your insurance and ask for in-network mental health providers
- Use Psychology Today’s directory and filter by your insurance
2. Community Mental Health Centers
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and community mental health centers offer sliding-scale fees based on income. If you qualify, you could pay as little as $5–$25 for a session. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) maintains a treatment locator to find centers near you.
3. University Training Clinics
Universities with psychology or counseling programs often run training clinics where graduate students (supervised by licensed professionals) provide therapy at reduced rates — typically $10–$30 per session. These supervised students can provide ESA letters, since the supervising licensed professional co-signs the documentation.
4. Open Path Collective
Open Path is a nonprofit that connects clients with therapists offering sessions between $30 and $80. There’s a one-time lifetime membership fee of $65. If you need ongoing therapy anyway, this can be a solid deal — and you can ask your Open Path therapist about an ESA letter once they’ve gotten to know your situation.
5. Veteran-Specific Programs
If you’re a veteran, the VA health system covers mental health services. VA therapists can write ESA letters. Organizations like Give an Hour also connect veterans with free mental health services.
What About “Free ESA Letter” Websites?
Let’s be direct: there is no such thing as a free ESA letter that’s worth the paper it’s printed on.
Sites advertising “free ESA registration” or “free emotional support animal certification” are either:
- Scams that will charge you hidden fees later
- Useless registries that issue certificates with zero legal standing
- Bait-and-switch operations that use “free” as a hook and then upsell
Under the Fair Housing Act, the only document that matters is a letter from a licensed mental health professional who has evaluated you. No registry, ID card, vest, or certificate carries any legal weight for housing accommodations.
If you’d like to see what a real ESA letter looks like, our ESA letter template and examples guide breaks down every section.
Hidden Costs to Watch Out For
Annual Renewal Fees
Most ESA letters are valid for one year. Some telehealth platforms charge a renewal fee — usually $50–$100 — which is lower than the initial evaluation since there’s an existing clinical relationship. However, there’s no federal law requiring annual renewal. HUD guidance says the letter should be “current,” but doesn’t define an expiration date.
In practice, most landlords and housing providers accept letters that are less than one year old. If your mental health condition is ongoing (and most qualifying conditions are), your provider should be willing to issue an updated letter.
Multi-Pet Letters
Need ESA letters for more than one animal? Some platforms charge extra ($25–$75 per additional pet). Others include multiple pets in a single evaluation. Ask upfront if you have more than one ESA.
Travel Letters
Since the Air Carrier Access Act changes in 2021, most U.S. airlines no longer recognize ESAs for cabin travel. If a platform charges extra for a “travel ESA letter,” you’re probably wasting money. The exception: some international airlines still accept ESA documentation, so check your specific carrier.
“Rush” or “Priority” Processing
Some platforms charge $20–$50 extra for faster delivery. Given that most legitimate services already deliver within 24–48 hours, this premium is rarely worth it.
How to Spot ESA Letter Scams
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has warned consumers about fraudulent ESA services. Here’s what to watch for:
| Red Flag | Why It’s a Problem |
|---|---|
| No live evaluation required | Federal and state laws require a real clinical assessment |
| Instant approval guaranteed | Legitimate providers can deny your request |
| Only sells “registration” or “certification” | These have no legal standing whatsoever |
| No licensed professional listed | The letter must come from an LMHP licensed in your state |
| Unusually cheap (under $50) | Hard to pay a licensed professional fairly at this price point |
| Pressure tactics or urgent language | Legitimate healthcare doesn’t work this way |
Is an ESA Letter Worth the Money?
For people with qualifying mental health conditions, an ESA letter provides concrete legal protections under the Fair Housing Act. Specifically:
- Landlords must make reasonable accommodations for your ESA, even in no-pet housing
- You cannot be charged pet deposits or pet rent for an ESA
- Breed and weight restrictions don’t apply to ESAs
If you’re renting and paying $25–$75/month in pet rent, an ESA letter at $100–$200 pays for itself within a few months. If you’d otherwise be denied housing because of a no-pet policy, the value is even clearer.
That said, an ESA letter is a medical document, not a loophole. If you don’t have a genuine mental health condition that benefits from an emotional support animal, don’t pursue one. It undermines the system for people who genuinely need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an ESA letter for free?
Not directly, but you can get one at very low cost through insurance-covered therapy, community health centers, or university clinics. The evaluation itself has a cost — the question is who pays for it.
Why do ESA letters cost so much?
You’re paying for a licensed mental health professional’s time and expertise to conduct a clinical evaluation. The letter is the output; the evaluation is the product. Licensed professionals carry insurance, continuing education requirements, and student loan debt — their time has real value.
Do I need to renew my ESA letter every year?
There’s no federal law requiring annual renewal. However, landlords and housing providers commonly request letters less than 12 months old. Budget $50–$100 for annual renewals through the same provider who issued your original letter.
Can my regular doctor write an ESA letter?
In some states, yes — any licensed healthcare provider can write one. In others, it must come from a licensed mental health professional (therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist). Check your state’s specific requirements. Either way, the provider must conduct a proper evaluation.
Are cheap ESA letter services legitimate?
Services in the $60–$100 range can be legitimate if they require a live evaluation with a licensed professional. Below $50, be skeptical. The key question: does the service involve a real-time conversation with a licensed provider, or just a questionnaire?
What’s the difference between ESA registration and an ESA letter?
“ESA registration” is not a real thing. There is no government registry for emotional support animals. The only legally recognized document is a letter from a licensed mental health professional. Any website selling registration, certification, or ID cards is selling something with no legal value.
Bottom Line
A legitimate ESA letter costs between $60 and $300 depending on your route. The most affordable path is through your existing therapist or insurance-covered mental health provider. Online telehealth platforms offer convenience at a mid-range price. Whatever you choose, make sure a licensed professional conducts a real evaluation — that’s what gives the letter its legal standing.
Ready to get started? Read our step-by-step guide to getting an ESA letter for the full process.
