How Long Does It Take To Get an ESA Letter? Timelines & Factors Explained

An emotional support animal (ESA) letter is your animal friend’s official pass to stay by your side—not just as a pet but as an essential part of your emotional well-being. This letter, issued by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP), gives you legal protection under the Fair Housing Act so that your ESA gets to live with you even in places that normally slam the door on pet parents.

If you’re thinking about obtaining an ESA letter, chances are you’re eager to get it as soon as possible—whether to ensure housing security, dodge those pesky pet fees, or just have peace of mind knowing your ESA is officially recognized.

So, how long does it take to get an ESA letter?

In this article, we’ll walk you through the timelines, the steps involved, and the factors that can fast-track (or slow down) the process.

How Long Does It Take To Get an ESA Approved?

The timeline for getting an ESA approved depends on how you go about it—you might be following the legitimate process or unknowingly getting caught up in the gimmicks of a shady website advertising instant approvals. If you see a website claiming to “register” or “certify” your pet in minutes, you’re being misled—there’s no such thing as an official ESA registry.

Unlike those too-good-to-be-true offers, getting a valid ESA letter involves following a structured approval process that includes a professional evaluation. This process can last from 24 hours to a few weeks, depending on multiple factors, such as:

1. State regulations
2. Provider’s familiarity with ESA letters
3. Mode of delivery
4. Pathway for consultation

State Regulations

Certain states have specific regulations that can slow things down a bit. For example, states like Iowa or Louisiana require you to have an existing relationship with your LMHP of at least 30 days before they can officially approve your ESA.

If your state has these specific rules, and you’re not already seeing an LMHP who can issue you an ESA letter, you’ll need to count this period into the ESA letter timeline from the get-go.

Provider’s Familiarity With ESA Letters

If your LMHP is well-versed in issuing ESA letters, they might have a go-to ESA letter template. In this case, they’d just have to fill in the details about your specific circumstances, significantly shortening the time to issue the letter. 

But if they’re less familiar with the process, they may need extra time to double-check state regulations and ethical guidelines before drafting a valid document. This additional review process can extend the timeline by a few days.

Mode of Delivery

If you’re receiving your ESA letter digitally after approval, you can expect a much shorter timeline for obtaining the documentation. But if you need a hard copy signed by hand for any reason, count a few extra days for delivery—postal services aren’t known for their lightning speed.

Pathway for Consultation

Traditional face-to-face appointments can feel like a never-ending waiting game due to the time needed for scheduling and going to in-person visits, especially if the available appointments don’t align with your schedule. This can significantly prolong your timeline for getting the letter.

But if you go the online route, things move much faster. Virtual platforms connect you with licensed professionals who specialize in ESA evaluations, cutting out the scheduling headaches and getting you approved in a fraction of the time.

Why the Traditional Way of Getting an ESA Letter Takes Longer

The traditional approach of getting your ESA letter typically involves the following steps:

1. Finding a licensed mental health professional
2. Getting evaluated
3. Receiving your ESA letter

1. Finding a Licensed Mental Health Professional

An ESA letter is only valid if it comes from an LMHP. You can get one from a:

• Psychiatrist
• Psychologist
• Licensed therapist
• Psychiatric mental health nurse (PMHN)
• Counselor
• Clinical social worker

The professional must be licensed in the state where you’re applying for housing to make sure your letter is compliant with local regulations. 

If you’re already seeing an LMHP, bringing up your need for an ESA in a regular session could speed things up and result in a quicker assessment. But if you’re a new patient, booking that first appointment could take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on how packed the provider’s schedule is.

Plus, finding the right LMHP can take additional time, as you’ll need to look for a specialist who is:

• Licensed to practice in your state
• Qualified to assess your need for an ESA
• Experienced in issuing ESA letters

2. Getting Evaluated

Once you book an appointment, your LMHP will assess whether an ESA could improve the symptoms of your mental health condition. They’ll diagnose you using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) guidelines. Common qualifying conditions include:

• Anxiety and depression
• PTSD
• Personality and psychotic disorders
• Phobias and chronic stress

Some providers may require multiple sessions to fully understand your condition and determine if an ESA is the right fit. In some cases, they might even consult veterinarians, animal trainers, or behaviorists to ensure your pet is a good match for emotional support—and this can push the time you’ll get the letter even further away.

3. Receiving Your ESA Letter

If approved, you’ll receive an official ESA letter to present to your landlord. It should:

• Be on your LMHP’s official letterhead
• Include their license number
• Explain how your ESA helps you (without disclosing your diagnosis)

For example, if you have generalized anxiety disorder, your ESA letter might highlight how your furry companion helps ease panic episodes or lowers daily stress levels—making a strong case for your need for housing accommodations.

The way you receive your ESA letter can impact how long it takes to get in your hands. If you’re waiting on a physical copy through regular mail, expect a few extra days—or even weeks—depending on your location and the time your provider takes to process it. Some professionals may even require you to pick the letter up in person, which can add to the wait.

Getting Your ESA Letter Online

Going the telehealth route speeds things up big time. Obtaining an ESA letter online isn’t all that different from the traditional process—it just comes with the bonus of convenience and faster turnaround time. You’ll still have an LMHP assess your condition and determine if you qualify, but instead of waiting weeks for appointments and paperwork, you can have it ready within 24–48 hours to take your furry friend home.

Here’s how it works:

Misuse and Fraud Concerns With Online Services

While the online process makes it easier to obtain an ESA letter, it also leads to an increase in misuse. Many illegitimate online sources offer to get you suspiciously cheap ESA letters or even the option to write your own ESA letter—any letter you get this way won’t be valid, so you need to weed out the scams.

On top of that, some people try to pass off their pets as ESAs or service animals just to dodge housing rules or take untrained animals into public spaces. This has resulted in stricter scrutiny from housing authorities, who may also reject letters from questionable online sources.

If you need a legitimate and fast way to obtain an ESA letter online, Your Service Animal offers a reliable solution to help you secure housing with your animal companion quickly and hassle-free.

Getting Your ESA Letter With Your Service Animal 

Your Service Animal takes the hassle out of getting an ESA letter. The platform connects you with licensed professionals who handle everything, ensuring your letter is legally valid. With a fast and stress-free process, you can secure housing with your emotional support animal without the headaches.

Why Choose Your Service Animal?

Getting an ESA letter shouldn’t feel like a maze—after all, your cuddly buddy deserves a worry-free home. Your Service Animal understands this and keeps things simple while ensuring everything checks out legally. Here’s how:

Get an ESA Letter ASAP

The process to get your ESA is entirely online and involves the following steps:

1. Find out if you’re a good fit for an ESA letter with our online quiz
2. Schedule an online appointment with a licensed mental health practitioner in your state
3. Attend the online call and receive your ESA letter if clinically appropriate
4. Receive a full refund if the therapist doesn’t issue an ESA letter or your landlord rejects your letter

Just like that, you’ll be able to move in with your emotional support pal in no time.