An ESA letter in New Jersey is an official document which qualifies an animal as an emotional support animal part of a person’s therapeutic treatment plan. An ESA in NJ is any animal offering comfort and support to a person with a mental or emotional disability.
ESAs are considered assistance but not service animals and enjoy benefits that do not apply to ordinary pets. The Fair Housing Act (FHA) ensures ESAs are reasonably accommodated in rentals despite pet policies. An emotional support animal in New Jersey does not need special training. The state does not limit the type or number of animals acting as ESAs.
A New Jersey ESA letter is the only document necessary to officialize an animal’s status. A licensed mental health professional writes and signs the ESA letter in New Jersey. Registration and certification are not required for ESAs according to New Jersey emotional support animal laws.
What are the Specific Emotional Support Animal Laws in New Jersey?
ESA Housing Laws in New Jersey
New Jersey does NOT have separate state ESA laws. An emotional support animal is protected through the federal Fair Housing Act combined with New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination (LAD), enforced by the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights (DCR).
Your Rights Under Federal and State Law:
Federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) + N.J.S.A. 10:5-12 (New Jersey LAD) protect your right to:
- Keep your ESA in housing, even with “no pets” policies
- Live with your ESA without paying pet deposits or monthly pet fees
- Have your ESA regardless of breed or weight restrictions
- Request reasonable accommodation from landlords
- Privacy: landlords can’t ask for your diagnosis or medical records
ESA Documentation Requirements:
To qualify for housing accommodation in New Jersey, you need:
- Legitimate ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional
- Mental or emotional disability under the LAD/FHA
- Documented need showing the ESA helps your disability
What Your ESA Letter Should Include:
- Confirmation of your mental/emotional disability
- Statement that your ESA alleviates disability symptoms
- Provider’s license information and credentials
- Provider’s signature and contact information
- Date issued
What Landlords CANNOT Do:
- Request your specific diagnosis or medical records
- Charge pet fees, deposits, or pet rent for ESAs
- Apply breed, size, or weight restrictions to ESAs
- Require ESA registration or certification
- Deny housing based on your ESA alone
What Landlords CAN Do:
- Request documentation if your disability isn’t obvious
- Verify your healthcare provider’s credentials
- Ask for updated documentation
- Deny if the animal poses a direct threat to safety
- Deny if the animal causes substantial property damage
- Charge you for actual damages your ESA causes
When Landlords Can Legally Deny an ESA in NJ:
- Direct threat to health or safety of others
- Substantial property damage despite accommodations
- Would fundamentally change housing operations
- Documentation is fraudulent or insufficient
- Housing exempt from FHA (small owner-occupied buildings)
You’re Responsible For:
- Any damage your ESA causes
- Keeping your animal under control
- Ensuring your ESA isn’t a nuisance to neighbors
- Following reasonable rules (leash requirements, waste cleanup)
ESA Travel Laws in New Jersey
ESAs are NO LONGER recognized for air travel under DOT regulations (January 2021).
Flying From New Jersey Airports:
Newark Liberty, Atlantic City, Trenton-Mercer—all airlines now treat ESAs as regular pets:
- Pay standard pet fees ($125-$200+ each way)
- ESA must fit in carrier under seat
- Airlines can refuse based on size, breed, behavior
- Each airline has different pet policies
Before 2021: ESAs flew free in cabin
After 2021: Only trained psychiatric service dogs protected for air travel
New Jersey ESAs in Public Places
ESAs have NO public access rights in New Jersey.
Only service dogs have public access under the ADA and New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination (N.J.S.A. 10:5-29).
Where ESAs Are NOT Allowed:
- Atlantic City casinos and boardwalk businesses
- Restaurants, diners, and food establishments
- Grocery stores and retail shops
- Shopping malls (Menlo Park, Cherry Hill, Garden State Plaza)
- Jersey Shore beaches and boardwalks (unless pets allowed)
- Hotels (unless pet-friendly)
- Public transportation (NJ Transit, PATH trains)
- State parks and recreation areas (unless pets allowed)
- Six Flags Great Adventure, other amusement parks
- MetLife Stadium, Prudential Center, other venues
- Any business that doesn’t allow pets
Where ESAs ARE Allowed:
- Your home with proper documentation
- Your rental property with approved accommodation
- Pet-friendly businesses
- Private property with owner permission
New Jersey ESAs in the Workplace
No state law requires workplace ESA accommodations.
Workplace ESAs fall under federal ADA and Rehabilitation Act, which give employers much more discretion than landlords.
Can You Bring Your ESA to Work?
Maybe, but it’s difficult. Depends on:
- Your specific disability and job functions
- Whether you need the animal at work (not just at home)
- Whether accommodation is reasonable for your workplace
- Business operations and safety concerns
- Undue hardship on employer
- Coworker allergies, fears, concerns
Key Differences From Housing:
- Employers have more discretion to deny
- “Undue hardship” is easier to prove
- Employers can offer alternative accommodations (flexible schedule, remote work)
- You must show workplace-specific need
- Most workplace ESA requests are denied
Your Best Approach:
- Contact HR department
- Provide documentation from licensed NJ mental health professional
- Explain why ESA is needed at work specifically
- Be prepared to discuss alternatives
- Understand denial is likely
New Jersey’s Laws Against Service Animal and ESA Fraud
New Jersey has limited service animal fraud laws and NO specific ESA fraud statute.
Service Animal Misrepresentation: N.J.S.A. 10:5-29.5
The law also prohibits:
- Intentionally interfering with rights of people with disabilities accompanied by service dogs
- Intentionally interfering with the function of a service or guide dog
Penalties:
Fine only: $100 to $500 No jail time No community service requirement
This makes New Jersey’s penalties among the lowest nationwide—many states impose jail time, higher fines, or mandatory community service.
Additional Civil Penalties: N.J.S.A. 10:5-29.11
Separate civil penalties (enacted 2017) for businesses that:
- Interfere with service animal users’ access
- Deny access to people with service animals
Civil penalties collected in municipal court proceedings Does not prohibit filing additional complaints with DCR or Superior Court Penalties fund law enforcement training programs on disability rights
What New Jersey’s Law Does NOT Cover
N.J.S.A. 10:5-29.5 does NOT specifically address:
- ESA misrepresentation (only covers service/guide dogs)
- Fake ESA letters for housing
- Online ESA registries or certificates
- Healthcare providers issuing fraudulent documentation
- ESA-specific fraud in any context
ESA Fraud Consequences (Even Without Specific Law)
Using fake ESA documentation can result in:
- Denied housing accommodation
- Eviction if fraud discovered
- Civil liability for damages
- DCR complaints and investigations
- HUD investigations
- Licensing board actions against providers
- Loss of legal protections
For Healthcare Providers:
NJ mental health professionals issuing fraudulent ESA letters face:
- Professional licensing board complaints
- License suspension or revocation
- Fines and disciplinary action
- Civil liability
Is Getting an ESA Letter Online Legal in New Jersey?
Yes, getting an ESA letter online is legal in New Jersey. New Jersey residents are allowed to get ESA letters online or in person. An ESA letter is valid when issued by a mental health professional licensed in the state.
ESA candidates choose between online or in-person consultations with LMHPs. The online method is preferred as it is quick and straightforward. Online ESA services schedule consults via phone or video calls.
Make sure the online service is legit before requesting assistance with the ESA letter. Some companies and websites are fraudulent and offer fake ESA letters. Misrepresenting regular pets as ESAs is punishable in New Jersey.
Can you have Multiple Emotional Support Animals in New Jersey?
Yes, you can have multiple emotional support animals in New Jersey. New Jersey law does not limit the number of emotional support animals one can have, provided that they are properly documented. It is only within the LMHP’s clinical evaluation that an individual is allowed to have multiple ESAs. Each animal must be specifically mentioned within the ESA letter and how they are necessary for providing therapeutic benefits for the individual must be stated. Having an undocumented ESA is considered illegal and is subject to hefty legal fees.
How to Get an ESA Letter in New Jersey?
The indicative steps on how to get an ESA Letter in New Jersey are listed below. These are suggested steps as to how the process can work.
- Consult a Licensed Professional. If an individual is already being treated by a licensed mental health professional, or other health care provider, they should consult with them about the possibility of adding an ESA as part of their treatment plan. If a person is not seeing a licensed professional, they can look for one. Search for a mental health practitioner, or other authorized healthcare provider (physician, physician assistant) licensed in New Jersey. As a reminder, these professionals are the only individuals allowed to write an ESA Letter in New Jersey. They can assess a patient’s mental health status and determine whether the applicant qualifies for an ESA.
- Request an ESA letter. Approval for an ESA letter depends on the licensed professional’s assessment of a patient’s mental health status and whether an ESA is the right fit for the person’s treatment plan. Personal pets are allowed to become ESAs when recognized as a part of an individual’s therapeutic plan.
- Receive the ESA Letter. Once approved, receive the ESA letter in a hard copy or a printable PDF version. The hard copy is available upon request and delivered within a few days, while the electronic version is immediately accessible.
Legal online telehealth platforms such as CertaPet speed up the process allowing people to obtain compliant NJ ESA letters from the comfort of their home.
What are the Advantages of Getting an ESA Letter in New Jersey through CertaPet?
The advantages of getting an ESA letter in New Jersey through CertaPet are listed below.
- One-stop process. CertaPet is a convenient one-stop site where one gets free screening, connects with an LMHP, and receives their ESA letter in one place. CertaPet’s goal is to make ESA applications as hassle-free as possible without compromising the need for a consultation with an LMHP.
- Free screening test. A 5-minute free screening test is available online for anyone who wishes to check whether they are qualified for an ESA. CertaPet sifts through information to speed up the process of applying for the ESA.
- Finding an LMHP for you. CertaPet ensures you are connected to an LMHP licensed to practice in NJ as soon as possible. This step makes it easier for applicants to meet an LMHP without having to find one themselves.
- Receive your ESA letter. Upon approval, CertaPet will issue a legit ESA letter in digital format, but you can also request a physical copy.
- Online and legitimate. CertaPet guarantees a 100% legal and compliant process to get ESA letters online. Since many online ESA providers have developed scams to fool clients into giving private information or payment for ESA, CertaPet guarantees complete legitimacy.
Is ESA Registration in NJ Required?
No, there is no official registration for ESAs in NJ. ESA registration is not necessary and does not have legal value.
Companies and websites promoting free ESA registration NJ and ESA certification NJ are scams. The only document ESAs need is an emotional support animal letter.
Emotional support animal letters in New Jersey are written and signed by mental health professionals licensed in the state.
Do ESA Letters in New Jersey need to be Renewed Annually?
Yes, ESA letters in New Jersey need to be renewed annually. ESA letters in New Jersey expire after 1 year. It is the ESA holder’s responsibility to keep track of the date of issuance and plan accordingly to renew their ESA letter, which can be done up to a month prior to the date of expiration. Using expired ESA letters leads to legal trouble that puts the person at risk of eviction from housing and/or expensive legal fees.
How to Avoid Online New Jersey ESA Letters Scams?
The instructions on how to avoid online scams in ESA letters in New Jersey are given below.
- Research the ESA Service. Investigate the different ESA providers offering online ESA letters. Read testimonials from previous clients to get a better understanding.
- Check the Letterhead. A valid ESA letter must be written on the LMHP’s letterhead. The letterhead is official and contains information about the practitioner, including name, contact, and credentials.
- Read the ESA Letter. Quickly scan the ESA letter to check its accuracy. Legitimate ESA letters state the person’s need for an emotional support animal but do not disclose the specific mental or emotional disability.
- Compare ESA Letter Prices. ESA prices are affordable but not cheap. ESA services must have an established network of LMHP in different states. Building the network requires money and dictates a higher price. Cheap ESA letters are likely to be fake.
- Have Rational Expectations. Scam websites offer gifts in the form of unnecessary steps such as ESA registration and certification. Fake sites market instant ESA letters without talking to LMHPs and claim the letters last more than a year.
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