Can my landlord deny my ESA in Missouri?

Yes, but only under specific circumstances: You don't meet disability requirements Your documentation doesn't establish both a disability and a disability-related need for the animal You refuse to provide valid documentation when legitimately requested Your documentation is fraudulent or from an unlicensed provider without knowledge of your condition The animal poses a direct threat that can't be mitigated The animal would cause substantial damage that cannot be reduced Your landlord qualifies for a small landlord exemption (owner-occupied, four or fewer units)

Can my landlord charge pet rent or a pet deposit for my ESA?

No. Under both federal FHA and Missouri housing law, pet rent, pet fees, and pet deposits must be waived for ESAs. However, you're still responsible for actual physical damage beyond normal wear and tear.

Are there breed or weight limits for ESAs in Missouri housing?

No. Breed and weight limits that apply to pets generally do not apply to ESAs. Decisions must be individualized to the specific animal, not based on stereotypes or blanket policies.

Do I have to register my ESA in Missouri or get a special ID?

No. There is no official Missouri ESA registry, and federal law doesn't require registration. The University of Central Missouri explicitly states: "There is no official registration system for support animals or service animals in the US." The only required documentation is a legitimate ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional with knowledge of your disability and disability-related need for the animal.

Does my ESA need special training in Missouri?

No specific task training is required (that's what distinguishes ESAs from service animals). However, your ESA must: Be under your control Be housebroken Not be aggressive or pose a safety threat Not cause ongoing disturbances that fundamentally alter the housing environment Comply with reasonable rules applicable to all residents

Can I have more than one ESA in Missouri?

Yes, if each animal is necessary for your disability-related needs. You'll need documentation from a licensed provider explaining the need for multiple animals. Landlords can consider whether multiple ESAs would create an undue burden, pose safety concerns, or cause significant property damage.

Does my clinician need to be licensed in Missouri?

While Missouri does not explicitly require the provider to be licensed in Missouri, it's strongly recommended to work with a Missouri-licensed mental health professional to ensure landlords accept the letter and comply with telehealth regulations. The provider must be knowledgeable about your condition and the animal's disability-related needs.

What happens if I use fraudulent ESA documentation in Missouri?

While Missouri does not have state-level criminal penalties for fraudulent ESA documentation, providing fraudulent ESA documentation can have serious consequences: Consequences: Landlords can deny or revoke housing accommodations Potential eviction if fraud is discovered after move-in Liability for damages Loss of credibility for future accommodation requests

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

An ESA letter in Missouri is an official and legally valid document confirming a person’s need for an emotional support animal and its special ESA status. An emotional support animal (ESA) is an animal whose presence has a therapeutic effect on the owner’s mental health. ESAs do not need specialized training, and any species has the right to act as an emotional support animal in Missouri.

The main ESA law is the Fair Housing Act (FHA), which grants ESAs housing privileges. State-specific Missouri laws on emotional support animals do not exist, and the Air Carrier Access Act and Americans with Disabilities Act do not apply to ESAs.

Licensed mental health professionals (LMHPs) and other authorized healthcare providers are the only medical profiles authorized to issue ESA letters, according to Missouri emotional support animal laws. An ESA letter in Missouri is valid for 12 months.

What are the Specific Emotional Support Animal Laws in Missouri?

Missouri enacted comprehensive service animal AND assistance animal misrepresentation legislation under RSMo § 209.204. This law is unique because it specifically addresses both service animal AND emotional support animal misrepresentation in separate provisions. Violation is a Class C misdemeanor for first offense (up to 15 days jail and/or $750 fine) and Class B misdemeanor for second or subsequent offenses (up to 6 months jail and/or $1,000 fine), PLUS civil liability for actual damages. Missouri is one of the few states with explicit statutory penalties for ESA misrepresentation in housing. Missouri does not require specific therapeutic relationship timeframes. The Missouri Governor’s Council on Disability prepares brochures for landlords and tenants regarding service dogs, assistance animals, and housing under federal and Missouri law.

Missouri ESA Housing Laws

Missouri emotional support animal housing protections come from the federal Fair Housing Act. Missouri has no independent state ESA housing legislation beyond the federal requirements, but Missouri’s misrepresentation statute (RSMo § 209.204) provides enforcement mechanisms.

Your Rights as a Tenant with an ESA in Missouri:

Under the Fair Housing Act, if you have a disability and need an emotional support animal, you can request a reasonable accommodation from your landlord. This means:

Landlords must allow your ESA even in buildings with no-pet policies
You cannot be charged pet fees, pet deposits, or monthly pet rent
Breed, size, and weight restrictions don’t apply to ESAs
Your landlord cannot discriminate against you because of your ESA

Common conditions that may benefit from an ESA include:

Anxiety disorders
Depression
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Bipolar disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Phobias
ADHD
Autism spectrum disorders
Age-related cognitive decline
Panic attacks

Who Can Write Your ESA Letter in Missouri?

Your ESA letter must come from a licensed healthcare professional qualified under the Fair Housing Act. While Missouri law doesn’t specify state licensure requirements in the statute, the Fair Housing Act requires documentation from a qualified professional.

Qualified professionals typically include:

Psychiatrist
Psychologist
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Physician
Physician Assistant
Nurse Practitioner
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Other licensed mental health professionals

It’s recommended that your healthcare professional be licensed in Missouri to avoid landlord challenges to documentation validity.

What Your Landlord Can (and Can’t) Do:

Your landlord CAN:

Request documentation from a qualified professional as defined in RSMo § 209.204(3)
Verify the legitimacy of your documentation
Contact your healthcare professional to confirm the letter’s authenticity
Hold you financially responsible for any damage your ESA causes
Establish reasonable restrictions (leash requirements, vaccination requirements, waste cleanup requirements)

Your landlord CANNOT:

Ask for your detailed medical records or diagnosis
Require ESA registration or certification
Charge you pet fees, deposits, or rent for your ESA
Enforce breed, size, or weight restrictions on your ESA
Require your healthcare provider to fill out specific forms
Deny housing based solely on your need for an ESA (when you have proper documentation)
Ask what specific tasks your ESA performs (ESAs don’t need task training)

Your Responsibilities as an ESA Owner:

Obtain proper documentation from a licensed healthcare professional
Keep your ESA well-behaved and under control
Ensure your ESA is housebroken
Clean up after your ESA
You’re liable for any property damage your ESA causes
You remain responsible for disruptive or dangerous behavior by your ESA
Comply with state and local vaccination and licensing requirements

When Can Your Landlord Legally Deny Your ESA?

A landlord can refuse your ESA in these situations:

Your ESA poses a direct threat to others’ health or safety
Your ESA would cause substantial physical damage to the property
Accommodating your ESA would create an undue financial or administrative burden
The accommodation would fundamentally alter the essential nature of the housing provider’s services
You don’t provide adequate documentation from a qualified professional
Your documentation appears fraudulent or doesn’t meet Fair Housing Act requirements
The landlord qualifies for FHA exemptions (owner-occupied buildings with 4 or fewer units, single-family homes sold/rented by owner without broker/agent, private clubs, religious organizations)

Where to File a Complaint:

If your landlord unlawfully denies your ESA request, contact:

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD):
- Western Missouri (including Columbia): Kansas City Regional Office, 400 State Avenue, Room 200, Kansas City, KS 66101-2406, phone 913-551-5462, email KS_Webmanager@hud.gov
- Eastern Missouri: St. Louis Field Office, 1222 Spruce Street, Suite 3.203, St. Louis, MO 63103-2836, phone 314-418-5400, email MO_Webmanager@hud.gov
You have one year from the most recent date of discrimination to file a housing discrimination complaint
You have two years from the most recent date of discrimination to file a housing discrimination lawsuit in court

Missouri ESA Employment Laws

Missouri does not require employers to allow emotional support animals in the workplace. Only service dogs trained to perform specific disability-related tasks receive workplace protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

However, employees may request reasonable accommodations under the ADA, and some Missouri employers voluntarily allow ESAs on a case-by-case basis.

Missouri ESA Laws for Public Places

Emotional support animals have no public access rights in Missouri.

ESAs Are NOT Allowed In:

Restaurants and food establishments
Retail stores and shopping malls
Hotels (unless they’re pet-friendly)
Public transportation (except as regular pets under pet policies)
Government buildings
Healthcare facilities
Schools and universities (except in housing)
Theaters and concert halls
Sports facilities
Any place of public accommodation

Missouri ESA Travel Laws

Since January 11, 2021, airlines no longer recognize ESAs as service animals for air travel under Department of Transportation regulations.

Missouri residents traveling through airports like Kansas City International Airport (MCI), St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF), or other Missouri airports must follow individual airline pet policies. Your ESA will be treated as a regular pet, meaning:

You’ll pay pet fees (typically $95-$125 each way)
Your ESA must fit in an airline-approved carrier under the seat
Size and breed restrictions apply
You must follow all standard pet travel rules
Not all airlines accept pets in cabin

Only psychiatric service dogs trained to perform specific disability-related tasks retain cabin access protections under the Air Carrier Access Act.

Faking an ESA or Service Animal in Missouri: Penalties and Consequences

Missouri Has Strict Laws on Both Service Animals AND ESAs

Missouri is unique: it’s one of the few states that specifically penalizes ESA fraud in housing, not just service animal fraud in public.

What’s Illegal:

Pretending to have a disability to get service animal accommodations
Faking a service dog in public places (using fake vests, certificates, etc.)
Faking an ESA in housing (providing fraudulent documentation to landlords)

The Penalties:

Missouri doesn’t mess around:

First offense: Class C misdemeanor = Up to 15 days jail + $750 fine
Second offense: Class B misdemeanor = Up to 6 months jail + $1,000 fine
PLUS: You’re liable for any actual damages you caused

What Missouri Specifically Prohibits:

Creating fake ESA or service animal documents
Giving fake documents to others
Putting vests, collars, or harnesses on pets to fake them as assistance animals
Claiming untrained animals have completed disability-related training

Other Consequences:

Housing: Eviction, lawsuits, civil damages, difficulty renting
Public access: Criminal record, jail time, permanent bans
Legal: Fraud charges, professional licensing issues, harm to legitimate service animal users

Documentation Requirement:

Missouri law requires all ESA documentation to come from “a qualified professional as permitted under the Fair Housing Act.” No templatized online certificates or fake registries.

The Bottom Line:

Missouri takes ESA and service animal fraud seriously. First offense can mean jail time and fines; repeat offenses mean up to 6 months in jail. Get legitimate documentation from a licensed healthcare professional, or face criminal charges and civil liability.

Is there an Official Registration for ESAs in Missouri?

No, there is no official registration for ESAs in Missouri. Getting an ESA letter is the sole need for having an ESA. Valid ESA letters are issued by Missouri-licensed healthcare providers.

National ESA databases and registries do not exist. ESA registration is neither necessary nor legally valid.

Beware of ESA websites and companies promoting free emotional support animal registration in Missouri, as they are likely to be fraudulent.

Is Getting an ESA Letter Online Legal in Missouri?

Yes, getting an ESA letter online is legal in Missouri. Getting an ESA letter from a mental health professional licensed in Missouri is the sole requirement of having an ESA.

The state allows its residents to obtain the ESA letter in person or online. Most prefer the online method because it is more practical and time-saving.

Online ESA providers offer hassle-free ESA letter issuance. All steps required are completed electronically, and the consultation with a healthcare provider is done over a phone or video call.

Always be cautious when choosing an online ESA service. Many providers are scams, offering fake ESA letters and services.

Can you have Multiple Emotional Support Animals in Missouri?

Yes, you can have multiple emotional support animals in Missouri. The state allows its residents to have as many emotional support animals as necessary.

A licensed mental health professional (LMHP) or physician must confirm the need for multiple emotional support animals. Multiple ESAs are usually suggested for individuals with more than one emotional or mental disability as each animal could help manage a specific symptom or improve a certain area of the patient’s life.

Missouri does not limit the number of ESAs per person, but some landlords see multiple ESAs as undue financial or administrative hardships, giving them the right to legally deny housing.

How to Get an ESA Letter in Missouri?

The indicative instructions on how to get an ESA letter in Missouri are given below.

Understand the Purpose of an ESA Letter. Before applying for an ESA letter, it is vital to understand that an ESA letter is legal documentation confirming the need for an ESA and safeguarding its legal rights.
Consult a Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP). Only qualified professionals, such as licensed therapists, psychologists, or psychiatrists, are allowed to issue ESA letters in Missouri. Ensure the professional is authorized to practice in the state.
Schedule a Mental Health Assessment. The LMHP must evaluate an individual’s health and determine if an ESA is necessary. This step is crucial to obtaining a legitimate ESA letter that meets Missouri’s legal conditions.
Receive the ESA Letter. If approved, the LMHP writes and signs an ESA letter. The letter must include the professional’s license details and confirm the need for an ESA. A printable letter copy is available immediately or a hard copy is shipped upon request.
Understand ESA Rights and Responsibilities. An ESA letter in Missouri grants ESAs protection under the FHA but does not ensure coverage by the ADA and ACAA. Owners are responsible for their ESAs’ behaviors.
Renew the ESA Letter Every 12 Months. Ensure ongoing law compliance by updating the ESA letter annually. Online providers allow straightforward ESA letter renewals via their telehealth platforms.

Get an ESA letter in Missouri via official online platforms like CertaPet, for a secure and hassle-free experience. CertaPet offers legit ESA letters in three steps.

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

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

Valid ESA Documents: CertaPet’s Missouri ESA letters are issued in accordance with local and federal laws, ensuring legal compliance.
Straightforward Application Process: Using CertaPet is convenient and entails three steps. The process is guided on the website and completed 100% online.
Reasonably Fast Process: Candidates are contacted by LMHP in 2-3 business days and get their ESA letters immediately if approved.
Budget-Friendly Prices: CertaPet collaborates with health professionals licensed in different states but ensures that the ESA letter issuance service is budget-friendly.
ESA Rights and Benefits: Get an ESA letter online via CertaPet to live in properties with no-pet policies and be exempt from pet fees and rents.

Do ESA Letters in Missouri need to be Renewed Annually?

Yes, ESA letters in Missouri need to be renewed annually. ESA letters must be updated yearly to ensure they are current and compliant with the law. The renewal process is simple and similar to the issuance procedure – it requires consulting a healthcare professional.

Online ESA services offer straightforward renewals through their telehealth platforms. Owners are permitted to apply for renewals up to one month before the current ESA letters expire.

Are there Missouri ESA Letters Scams?

Yes, there are scams in ESA letters in Missouri. Fraudulent ESA websites and companies offer fake ESA letters that are not compliant with the law.

Always seek help from reliable services, like CertaPet. CertaPet is a legit online ESA provider whose letters are issued in sync with local and federal laws.

The instructions on how to avoid scams in ESA letters in Missouri are given below.

Double-Check the ESA Provider. Research the ESA service in-depth to confirm its legitimacy. A lot can be learned by reading reviews from other clients.
Read the ESA Letter. A valid ESA letter is written on the doctor’s letterhead, features contact and credential information, and omits the diagnosis.
Contact the Health Professional. Use the contact information provided in the letter to call the doctor and confirm his credentials (whether he is licensed in Missouri).
Have Reasonable Expectations. Getting an ESA letter takes time, and ESA letters last for a year. ESA services claiming otherwise are fraudulent.
Compare ESA Letter Prices. Valid ESA letters are neither expensive nor cheap. Cheap ESA letters are often written by doctors who are not licensed in the US.
Refuse Gifts and Free Offers. Providers offering gifts (ESA vests, ID tags) and free services (ESA certifications or registration) are likely to be illegitimate.

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.

See Full Bio