Florida ESA Letter: How to Get It and ESA Laws in Florida

An ESA letter in the state of Florida is a document confirming the legitimate status of an emotional support animal. Using an online service is the easiest way to get an ESA letter and enjoy the benefits. 

Florida residents with ESAs are welcome in all housing situations, regardless of the property’s pet policy. The Fair Housing Act (FHA) obliges landlords to provide reasonable accommodation to people with disabilities after presenting an ESA letter. 

An ESA letter in Florida does not ensure public access and workplace benefits. Florida ESA laws do not require public places and employers to accommodate emotional support animals. ESAs in public and at work are allowed at the property or employer’s discretion. 
An emotional support animal letter in Florida protects the ESA owner from discrimination based on their mental or emotional disability when it comes to housing. 

What are the Specific Emotional Support Animal Laws in Florida?

Florida regulates emotional support animals through a combination of federal Fair Housing Act protections and comprehensive state-specific legislation addressing both ESA housing accommodations and service animal misrepresentation. The Florida Legislature enacted Florida Statutes § 760.27 (effective July 1, 2020), establishing detailed requirements for emotional support animal housing accommodations, prohibited landlord practices, and documentation standards. Additionally, Florida Statutes § 413.08, significantly amended in 2015 (effective July 1, 2015), criminalizes service animal misrepresentation as a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in county jail, fines up to $500, and mandatory 30 hours of community service for organizations serving individuals with disabilities. Florida’s laws represent some of the nation’s most comprehensive ESA regulations, providing both strong protections for legitimate ESA owners and strict penalties for fraudulent misrepresentation, addressing concerns about increasing abuse of disability accommodation laws.

• Florida ESA Housing Laws: Florida Statutes § 760.27 prohibits discrimination in housing provided to persons with disabilities or disability-related needs for emotional support animals. The statute defines “emotional support animal” as an animal that does not require training to do work, perform tasks, provide assistance, or provide therapeutic emotional support, but whose presence alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. Under § 760.27(2), housing providers need to make reasonable accommodations consistent with federal Fair Housing Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Housing providers cannot charge extra compensation for emotional support animals, though tenants remain liable for damage caused by animals to premises or other persons. Florida landlords may request reliable information when disabilities or disability-related needs for ESAs are not readily apparent, including: (1) determinations of disability from federal, state, or local government agencies; (2) receipt of disability benefits or services; (3) proof of eligibility for housing assistance or housing vouchers received because of disability; (4) information from healthcare practitioners defined in § 456.001, telehealth providers defined in § 456.47, or similarly licensed practitioners in good standing with regulatory bodies in other states; or (5) information from other sources reasonably determined to be reliable under FHA and Rehabilitation Act standards. Housing providers may request information identifying particular assistance or therapeutic emotional support provided by specific animals and, when tenants request multiple ESAs, information regarding specific need for each animal. Florida Statutes § 760.27(3) explicitly prohibits housing providers from: (a) requesting information disclosing diagnosis or severity of disabilities or medical records relating to disabilities (though persons may voluntarily disclose such information); (b) requiring persons to use specific forms or notarized documents; (c) requiring registration, identification cards, certificates, or other documentation beyond reliable documentation from qualified sources. Housing providers may deny reasonable accommodation requests when animals pose direct threats to safety or health of others or direct threats of physical damage to property that cannot be reduced or eliminated by other reasonable accommodations.
  
• Florida ESA Employment Laws: Florida does not mandate workplace accommodations for emotional support animals. The Americans with Disabilities Act covers only service animals trained to perform specific disability-related tasks in employment contexts. Florida employers may voluntarily permit emotional support animals in workplaces at their discretion but face no legal obligation to accommodate ESAs under state or federal law. Florida Statutes § 413.08 focuses on public accommodations and housing rather than employment settings, providing no specific workplace protections for emotional support animals. Florida’s service animal workplace protections extend only to individuals with disabilities who use trained service animals, excluding emotional support animals that provide comfort through presence alone.
  
• Florida ESA Laws for Public Places: Emotional support animals have no public access rights in Florida under state or federal law. Florida Statutes § 413.08(1)(d) defines “service animal” as an animal trained to do work or perform tasks for individuals with disabilities, including physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disabilities, explicitly stating “A service animal is not a pet.” Only dogs and, in some cases, miniature horses are legally recognized as service animals in Florida. Public establishments including restaurants, stores, hotels, theaters, and transportation facilities can legally refuse entry to emotional support animals while remaining required to accommodate properly trained service dogs. Florida Statutes § 413.08 grants individuals with disabilities accompanied by service animals full and equal access to public accommodations, transportation, and housing accommodations, but these protections explicitly exclude emotional support animals that lack specific task training.
  
• Florida ESA Travel Laws: Following 2021 amendments to the Air Carrier Access Act, airlines no longer classify ESAs as service animals for air travel purposes. Florida residents traveling by air must comply with individual airline pet policies, which typically require carriers, fees, and size restrictions for emotional support animals. Only psychiatric service dogs trained to perform specific tasks related to mental health disabilities retain cabin access protections under current federal aviation regulations.
  
  Ground transportation providers including buses, trains, and ride-sharing services may enforce their own pet policies and legally refuse emotional support animals, as these animals lack guaranteed transportation access rights under Florida or federal law.
  
• Misrepresenting Service Animals in Florida: Florida Statutes § 413.08(9), significantly amended effective July 1, 2015, makes it a second-degree misdemeanor for persons who knowingly and willfully misrepresent themselves, through conduct or verbal or written notice, as using service animals and being qualified to use service animals or as trainers of service animals. Violations are punishable as provided in Florida Statutes § 775.082 (imprisonment) and § 775.083 (fines), specifically up to 60 days in county jail and fines up to $500. Additionally, convicted individuals must perform 30 hours of community service for organizations that serve individuals with disabilities, or for other entities or organizations at court discretion, to be completed in not more than 6 months. Florida’s statute requires proof that accused individuals “knowingly and willfully” misrepresented service animal status, establishing specific intent requirements that create defense opportunities based on lack of knowledge or honest misunderstanding. Florida Statutes § 413.08(4) separately criminalizes denial or interference with admittance to or enjoyment of public accommodations by persons with service animals, also as second-degree misdemeanors with identical penalties including mandatory community service. Florida’s comprehensive approach addresses both fraudulent misrepresentation by individuals claiming false service animal status and discrimination by public accommodations refusing legitimate service animals.
  
• Fraudulent ESA Claims in Florida: Florida Statutes § 760.27 addresses fraudulent emotional support animal claims in housing contexts through documentation requirements rather than explicit criminal penalties. The statute establishes that registration, identification cards, certificates, or other documentation beyond reliable information from qualified healthcare practitioners are insufficient to prove emotional support animal needs, targeting online services offering instant ESA certifications without legitimate therapeutic relationships. Healthcare practitioners providing ESA documentation must have personal knowledge of persons’ disabilities and act within scopes of practice. Florida Statutes § 760.27(2)(c) requires that information from healthcare practitioners, telehealth providers, or similarly licensed practitioners must demonstrate that providers have personal knowledge of individuals’ disabilities and are acting within professional practice scopes. Housing providers may verify documentation authenticity by confirming healthcare providers possess valid licenses, documentation includes provider credentials and license numbers, and letters reflect genuine therapeutic relationships rather than instant online certifications. The Florida Commission on Human Relations and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development handle fair housing complaints involving fraudulent ESA claims, investigating allegations of tenants misrepresenting pets as emotional support animals to circumvent pet policies or avoid pet fees. Florida’s combination of Florida Statutes § 413.08 criminalizing service animal misrepresentation in public accommodations and § 760.27 establishing rigorous documentation standards for housing ESAs creates a comprehensive fraud prevention framework, though § 760.27 itself does not impose criminal penalties comparable to § 413.08’s second-degree misdemeanor provisions.

Is there an Official Registration for ESAs in Florida?

No, there is no official registration for ESAs in Florida. Registration is not a required step for getting an emotional support animal in any state. Registering an animal as an ESA does not have legal value and does not protect the ESA’s rights. 

Sites and services marketing emotional support animal registration in Florida are scams. Instead of an ESA certification for Florida, individuals need to obtain an ESA letter. The ESA letter is the only official document necessary for emotional support animals. 

How to Get an ESA Letter in Florida?

Getting an ESA letter in Florida is easy by following the instructions below. 

1. Choose an ESA Service. Choose a reputable ESA provider to intermediate the process of getting approved for an emotional support animal in Florida.  
2. Check ESA Eligibility. Take a screening test that includes several mental health-related questions to check if an emotional support animal is necessary. 
3. Talk to a LMHP in the state. Get connected with a licensed mental health professional (LMHP), or other health professionals in Florida. Most providers schedule phone consultations via telehealth platforms. 
4. Get the ESA Letter. Receive the ESA letter if approved and enjoy the benefits. ESA services offer electronic PDF versions and hard copies of the ESA letters. 

ESA candidates often ask, “who can write an ESA letter in Florida.” The answer is all mental health professionals licensed within the state, such as therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric mental health nurses, and licensed clinical social workers. 

Get your ESA letter for Florida through CertaPet. CertaPet connects qualifying ESA candidates to LMHPs in their state. The process is simple and fast. 

First, take the online pre-screening test to confirm that you are a good candidate to get an ESA. The test entails several questions, takes no more than five minutes, and it is entirely private. Second, get contacted by a licensed mental health professional in Florida within two business days. Third, receive the ESA letter immediately in a PDF version or a hard copy within two to three business days. 

What are the Advantages of Getting an ESA Letter in Florida through CertaPet?

The advantages of getting an ESA letter in Florida through CertaPet are listed below. 

• Simple Process: Applying for an ESA letter online via CertaPet is straightforward and includes three simple steps, screening, consultation with a LMHP, and getting the letter. 
• Fast Turnaround: A LMHP contacts an ESA qualifying candidate within two business days to schedule a phone consultation. Upon approval, candidates print the ESA letters immediately or request a hard copy, which is received within two to three business days. 
• Valid Documents: CertaPet is a reliable and trustworthy service that ensures legitimate ESA letters for prospective candidates. 
• Peace of Mind: Get an ESA letter online via CertaPet and enjoy the benefits right away, such as living in accommodations with no-pet policies and being exempt from pet fees.

Is Getting an ESA Letter Online Legal in Florida?

Yes, getting an ESA letter online is legal in Florida. The state allows residents to acquire ESA letters online when emotional support animals are needed. 

The sole condition to getting a valid ESA letter online is having a mental health professional licensed in Florida write and sign the letter. 

The professional talks to the candidate using a telehealth service and provides a letter if an emotional support animal is able to help with the candidate’s mental or emotional disability as part of their treatment care plan.

Always choose a respectable online ESA letter provider. Scam websites exist and usually offer instant turnaround or free ESA registrations. 

What are the Requirements for Getting an ESA Letter in Florida?

The requirements for getting an ESA letter in Florida consist in a patient’s proven need to be prescribed an emotional support animal to alleviate the symptoms of their emotional or mental health challenges. Depression, anxiety, panic attacks, autism, schizophrenia, PTSD, ADHD, age-related cognitive decline, and phobias are some of the mental and emotional disabilities that qualify for emotional support animals. 

The ESA letter is an official document confirming a person’s disability and need for an ESA. The ESA letter states the need and recommendation for an emotional support animal but does not disclose the person’s mental disability. 

Are ESA Letters Valid in Florida only if Issued by a Licensed Professional within the State?

Yes, ESA letters are valid in Florida only if issued by a licensed professional within the state. Emotional support animal letters are issued by mental health professionals licensed in the state. 

Exceptions exist, however, for people who have moved recently. For example, the ESA letter of a pet owner who came to Florida from another state is valid until it expires. ESA letters are valid for 12 months. Once the letter has expired, it must be obtained again from an licensed professional in Florida.

How to Avoid Online Scams in ESA Letters in Florida?

Avoid online scams for ESA letters in Florida by following the instructions below. 

1. Choose a Legit Online Platform. Collaborating with a legit provider is the best way to avoid scams. Read reviews from other emotional support animal owners to ensure the online service is reliable and gives valid ESA letters. 
2. See Who Writes and Signs the ESA Letter. A valid ESA letter is always written and signed by a mental health professional licensed in the state. Some states require that the candidate and LMHP have a minimum 30-day relationship, but Florida does not. 
3. Check the Letterhead and licensed professional’s Credentials. Legitimate ESA letters must be written on the professional’s official letterhead, and the mental health professional’s license number and contact information must be featured. 
4. Read the ESA Letter Carefully. ESA letters state the person’s need for an emotional support animal without disclosing the specific diagnosis since the information is private. Valid ESA letters feature in writing the licensed professional’s recommendation that the person needs to stay with the emotional support animal. 
5. Do Not Fall for Unreasonable Offers. Scam websites offer too good to be true services such as immediate turnaround or getting approved without actually talking to a licensed health care provider. Many fraudulent websites promote free ESA registration or give ESA badges and ID tags, which do not have any legal value. 

Ivana Crnec, DVM Veterinarian

Ivana Crnec got her veterinary degree at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Bitola. She then continued her education at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Zagreb, Croatia, where she specialized in domestic carnivores.

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