How to Get an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Letter in Maryland

Are you a resident of Maryland and rely on your pet to get through tough times characterized by anxiety, depression, and overwhelming days? Then the ESA letter might be a perfect way to legalize your furry companion, even in places that do not permit pets to live there. It’s the only piece of paper that will give you the right to keep your animal in a dwelling where it’s not allowed by the law. It is not a certificate, not an ID tag, nor any kind of registration of your pet. It is a letter that proves that you have a disability and that you need your animal’s support because of that.

In this guide, we are going to tell you everything you should know about the ESA letter as a resident of Maryland: what it is, what state and federal laws are talking about (with one very important update coming in 2026), who can obtain the letter, how to get it, what should be in it, and how to distinguish legal letters from scammers.

What Is an ESA Letter, Exactly?

The ESA letter is an officially issued letter from the LMHP – a therapist, counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, or clinical social worker – stating that you have been diagnosed with a specific mental or emotional disorder and that an emotional support animal aids in reducing the symptoms or effects of such disorder. It should contain the letterhead of the LMHP, his/her license number, contact details, as well as the results of his/her evaluation of your mental or emotional health status, not some online test you took.

There are also several aspects of what an ESA letter is not to be considered. First of all, there is no such thing as a federal ESA registry, an ESA registry in Maryland, or any official, legal, or governmental ESA registration at all. Emotional support animals do not have to be “registered.” All you need is a genuine letter from a licensed LMHP. Therefore, any website trying to sell you any sort of cards, vests, or “official registries” is trying either to trick or cheat you.

ESAs do not require any special training. In contrast to the service animal, whose job is to help you with certain activities connected to your disability, the only function of the ESA is to provide emotional support by being with you. It means that a family dog or cat, adopted from a shelter, or even a rabbit or a bird, can become your ESA.

Maryland ESA Laws You Need to Know in 2026

Maryland does not have a standalone law that deals specifically with ESAs in the same way that other jurisdictions do. In Maryland, ESA protections flow from the overall reasonable accommodation requirements that are found in both federal and state law:

• Fair Housing Act (FHA) – This piece of federal legislation obliges the housing provider to accommodate the needs of the tenant with a disability by allowing an ESA in pet-free housing, and by not charging a pet fee, pet rent, or pet deposit for that animal, irrespective of the breed or size.
• Maryland housing discrimination statute (State Government Article § 20-706) – The Maryland civil rights law reflects the federal law and stresses the requirement of consideration of reasonable accommodation for assistance animals. Significantly, this state statute explicitly excludes animals used solely for emotional support from the definition of “service dog” for this reason.
• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) governs service animals, not ESAs. ESAs are not protected by the ADA and do not have public access rights in Maryland, meaning they are not automatically allowed in most public places, and Maryland’s employment discrimination law (State Gov’t § 20-606) similarly reserves reasonable accommodation requirements for service animals, not ESAs.

About a recently announced federal development: As of May 22, 2026, FHEO released new enforcement guidance and officially withdrew its 2020 notice regarding assistance animals. From now on, HUD states that it will only seek enforcement for Fair Housing Act accommodation complaints when the animal in question has been individually trained to perform work or tasks for a person with a disability, using the very same standard applied by the ADA to service animals – thus, the federal agency will no longer consider accommodating untrained emotional support animals a priority. It is essential to know what this does and what it doesn’t: the Fair Housing Act remains intact, and you still can bring a private cause of action in state or federal court within two years after the alleged discrimination took place, in an attempt to receive an injunction, compensatory and punitive damages, and attorney’s fees. Since there is no Maryland ESA statute separate from the Fair Housing Act, it is especially noteworthy if you reside in Maryland; your remaining options are the FHA and § 20-706 of the Maryland Law itself.

With a valid ESA letter, Maryland residents can:

• Live in “no pets” housing without paying additional pet fees, pet rent, or a pet deposit
• Have their landlord treat the animal as part of a documented medical accommodation, not a pet
• Avoid breed or weight restrictions that would otherwise apply
• File a HUD complaint within one year of alleged discrimination, or pursue a private lawsuit within two years, with housing discrimination penalties in Maryland reaching up to $50,000 for repeat offenders

Who Qualifies for an ESA in Maryland?

To qualify, a licensed mental health professional authorized to practice in Maryland must conduct an individualized assessment and determine that you have a mental or emotional disability that an ESA helps ease. Common qualifying conditions include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• PTSD
• Bipolar disorder
• Panic disorder
• Chronic stress-related conditions

A qualified mental health professional must assess whether or not this is the case – not a test, not a self-evaluation, and certainly not a website that provides a letter upon receipt of payment. A great way to get started on this is through a telehealth service that allows you to be assessed by an LMHP licensed in Maryland.

How to Get an ESA Letter in Maryland: Step-by-Step

Getting a legitimate ESA letter in Maryland typically follows this process:

Step 1: Complete a pre-screening or intake assessment

All reputable telehealth ESA services begin with a questionnaire where you will provide information regarding your symptoms, living environment, and how your animal helps you cope with those symptoms. It is not a diagnostic procedure but simply a means to find you a suitable and licensed clinician in Maryland.

Step 2: Have a live consultation with a licensed mental health professional

It is the legally required step in the process. Only a live evaluation via phone, video chat, or personal visit is enough to issue an ESA letter. With telehealth, you will save time on traveling to a clinic, as you may consult an LMHP at home. Any service skipping this step and just sending you a letter after completing a questionnaire online is a fraud.

Step 3: Receive your signed ESA letter and submit your request

If you meet the criteria according to the professional opinion of the specialist, your letter is likely to arrive within a few days in digital form. Provide your landlord with proper documents and ask for reasonable accommodation as soon as possible, preferably before signing the contract or moving.

After you get the letter, there is no need to find a certain type of pet and a certain breeder; you just choose an animal that will become your ESA.

What Should Be in a Legitimate ESA Letter

A well-prepared ESA letter must have:

• An official letterhead of the mental health professional
• His or her license number, license type, and contact details for verification by the landlord
• The date when the letter was written
• An affirmation that the person qualifies as a disabled individual under the Fair Housing Act
• A specific recommendation for an ESA as an integral part of treatment

When any of these components are not included in the letter, particularly a license number and a live evaluation, it is a clear indication of illegal practice on the part of the service provider.

Benefits of Having an ESA in Maryland

However, there is actual proven value in the bond between humans and animals for those who struggle with mental health issues, such as:

• Affection, companionship, and calmness. Regardless of whether you already have a pet or not, being able to acquire an ESA means being able to have a companion who will provide a person dealing with anxiety, depression, or PTSD with peace of mind.
• Forming a routine. Caring for your ESA involves feeding, walking, and spending time with it, which can be helpful to create a healthy daily routine.
• Relieving stress. Interacting with your ESA through touch – petting, hugging, or even just the presence of the animal itself – can relieve stress and make a person feel calmer.
• Eliminating financial restrictions to housing. With a valid letter, any additional fees for pets will no longer be an issue when looking for housing in Maryland.
• Helping build relationships. Especially for those who own dogs, walking their ESA provides them with an opportunity to communicate with other people.

ESA vs. Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) in Maryland

This is one of the most common points of confusion, and it matters because the two have very different legal rights:

• The role of Emotional Support Animals is that of being a source of emotional support merely by their presence. They do not undergo any sort of special training and are legally protected only in housing situations as per the Fair Housing Act and Maryland’s § 20-706. In addition, ESAs do not have public access rights and are excluded from the definition of “service dog” in Maryland’s statute.
• On the other hand, Psychiatric Service Dogs undergo training to perform specific tasks in relation to a person’s psychiatric disability, such as stopping a panic attack, giving deep pressure therapy, or taking medications. The PSD performs a task and therefore falls under the definition of service animals as per the ADA and employment discrimination laws in Maryland.

Public access and work rights can only be gained by PSDs, and if the individual seeks assistance outside his/her residence, then a PSD would be the choice.

ESAs, Travel, and Public Access in Maryland

Because ESAs are not covered by the ADA or the Air Carrier Access Act, it is left to the discretion of the airline, public establishment, or employer in Maryland whether to allow an ESA on their premises. With airlines in particular, starting in 2021, they are not obliged to treat ESAs as assistance animals for flights, so flying into or out of Maryland, your ESA will probably be subject to the pet policy of the particular airline. The same applies to public places: restaurants, shops, and other similar establishments do not have to accommodate ESAs, but may decide to accommodate you if you can prove it.

Common ESA Myths in Maryland, Debunked

A lot of misconceptions are spreading regarding ESAs. Some of the facts that one should be aware of are:

• “ESAs are the same as service animals.” No, they are not. ESAs provide comfort but are not trained to perform certain tasks, while in Maryland, there is no such definition for emotional support-only animals.
• “I can register my ESA legally online.” No, there is no such thing as ESA registration, either federally or in Maryland. The important thing here is the legitimate letter by a licensed mental health professional.
• “Landlords have the right to reject my ESA.” Only under certain circumstances, which are defined as significant danger and financial difficulty for a landlord, not just because of a “no pets” policy.
• “All websites that provide ESA letters are scammers.” Yes, there are some scammers, but telehealth ESA letters exist in Maryland. The real scam would be when you get a letter without meeting a licensed mental health professional.

How to Spot an ESA Letter Scam

Due to all the troublemakers in this arena, it’s best to know the red flags beforehand in case you consider paying any money – though, unlike in some states, at the moment there’s no specific criminal statute about ESA fraud in Maryland:

• No consultation. The service should offer you a letter after a phone or video conversation with the clinician, not just an online questionnaire.
• Lack of detailed information about licensing. A legitimate letter will specify the name of the clinician, his/her license number and type, which you’ll be able to check independently.
• Offers “registration,” certificates, or ID kits. It’s absolutely pointless and usually means the company is more willing to make sales than actually provide a consultation.
• No money-back guarantee if you aren’t qualified. You shouldn’t be charged if you don’t qualify for a letter.

What to Do If Your Landlord Questions Your ESA Letter

However, even when you are armed with the right documentation, a landlord may not agree, either because he is confused about the issue or simply does not wish to make any adjustments to accommodate a pet. In this case, you should:

• Refer them to the letter. Any genuine ESA letter will contain the license information of the doctor who issued the letter in order for the document to be verified by a landlord. Urge your landlord to contact the doctor personally in order to clarify the issue.
• Bring up the FHA and Maryland § 20-706. The landlord has to make an individual assessment based on your needs related to your disability rather than just following any pre-existing pet policy of his.
• Know the limitations of the requirements. A landlord cannot request any of your medical records or diagnosis – only documentation proving the disability-related necessity of your request.
• Consider filing a claim or lawsuit. If you are refused a reasonable request backed by documentation, you can file a complaint within one year from the date of discrimination, or sue within two years.

Renewing Your ESA Letter

Despite the lack of an expiration date set by both the Fair Housing Act and HUD, the letter should still be renewed annually. This is due to two reasons. First, property owners and property managers may not honor an expired letter. Second, your recommendation from the clinician should reflect your need for the animal currently, and not some old condition which no longer applies to you. Renewal will also provide an opportunity to reassess your mental well-being.

Getting Started

If you think that an ESA could really be of benefit to you in dealing with your emotional/mental disability, then your course of action should be to consult with a Maryland-licensed mental health professional – not a test, not an online certification site, and definitely not a same-day guaranteed “approval” service which does not involve any clinician. That is the only way of issuing a legitimate letter and ensuring your legal protection as required by law in Maryland and across the US.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an ESA letter legal in Maryland?

Yes. A properly issued ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional is recognized under the federal Fair Housing Act and Maryland’s housing discrimination law, State Gov’t § 20-706. It requires landlords to make reasonable housing accommodations, even in “no pets” buildings, and prohibits charging pet fees for a legitimate ESA.

Can I get an ESA letter for a pet I already own?

Yes. There’s no requirement to adopt a new animal or use a specific breeder. Any breed or species can qualify as long as a licensed clinician determines it supports your emotional or psychological condition and the accommodation is reasonable.

Do ESAs have public access rights in Maryland?

No. ESAs are protected only in housing, not in restaurants, stores, or most public places, since they are not covered by the ADA. Only trained service animals have those broader public access rights.

Can I fly with my ESA in Maryland?

Not automatically. Since 2021, airlines are no longer required to treat ESAs as assistance animals for cabin travel, so they typically fly under each airline’s standard pet policy. Check with your specific carrier before booking.

Can a Maryland landlord deny my ESA?

Only when it is necessary for legitimate legal purposes – such as a safety issue or unreasonable expenses. A landlord refusing a well-substantiated request without any justification could potentially be breaking not only the U.S. Fair Housing Act but also Maryland’s § 20-706, subject to a fine of up to $50,000 for repeat offenders.

Do I need to renew my Maryland ESA letter every year?

There is no official expiration date on that; however, you should consider renewing it annually, as it helps you to stay updated with your documentation and proves your current necessity for the animal, not an old assessment.