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

By: Ivana Crnec, DVM Updated: February 24, 2025

emotional support animal in utah. a woman cuddling with her esa dog sleeping on her lap.

An ESA letter in Utah is an official document, which qualifies an animal as an emotional support animal part of a person’s therapeutic treatment plan. An ESA 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. 

The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) protects service animals, and not ESAs, but many airlines accept emotional support animals. Utah ESA laws do not grant public access and workplace benefits, but some properties and employers allow emotional support animals. 

An emotional support animal Utah does not need special training. The state does not limit the type or number of animals acting as ESAs. 

A Utah 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 Utah. Registration and certification are not required for ESAs according to emotional support animal laws Utah.

What is the Importance of ESA Letters for Utah Residents?

The importance of ESA letters for Utah residents is to obtain legal documentation. ESA letters protect owners and emotional support animals, granting rights that do not apply to regular pets.

The most critical federal benefit for ESAs is the Fair Housing Act (FHA). The FHA permits ESAs to live in all rental housing options, even if they have no-pets policies. The FHA exempts ESA owners from paying landlords pet rent, fees, taxes, and deposits.  

The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) does not apply to ESAs and state laws do not permit ESAs in public and workplaces, but many airlines, properties, and employers make exceptions for legit emotional support animals.  

Getting an ESA letter Utah is easy and recommended to prevent discrimination against people with disabilities. ESA letters are legally valid documents.  

Why Get an Emotional Support Animal in Utah?

Get an emotional support animal in Utah for personal mental benefits. An ESA is an animal that provides comfort, safety, and companionship without requiring special training. 

Federal and state laws protect ESAs to an extent. For example, the FHA obliges landlords to accommodate ESAs even if the properties have strict no-pets codes. Public areas, workplaces, and transportation providers often allow ESAs, although they are not legally required. 

Emotional support animals benefit owners physically and mentally. “Animal-assisted activities with a dog appear to be effective in improving students’ mood and stress,” says a study, “Effect of Dog Presence on Stress Levels in Students under Psychological Strain: A Pilot Study,” published in the Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in 2020. 

“Dogs can encourage the owner to engage in daily walks, play, sports, and other interactions, which are beneficial for physical, mental, and social well-being,” explains a study “The Role of Dogs in Maintaining Health and Quality of Life,” issued in Geosport for Society in 2023.

Holistic treatments of people with mental and emotional disabilities benefit from an emotional support animal

Stress, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, age-related cognitive decline, autism, PTSD, ADHD, schizophrenia, and phobias are qualifying emotional support animal Utah conditions. 

Is there an Official Registration for ESAs in Utah?

No, there is no official registration for ESAs in Utah. ESA registration is not necessary and does not have legal value.  

Companies and websites promoting free ESA registration Utah and ESA certification Utah are scams. The only document ESAs need is the emotional support animal. 

Emotional support animal letters in Utah are written and signed by mental health professionals licensed in the state. 

How do ESA Letters in Utah differ from those in other States?

ESA letters in Utah do not differ from those in the majority of other states. There are no specific regulations or caveats to receive an ESA letter in Utah compared to other states.

Federal and state laws protect emotional support animals. The federal laws apply to all states, while local laws are state-specific. 

Getting ESA letters by state is the same in terms of procedure and validity. The only difference is in the scope of benefits that come with the ESA status. 

Some states, such as California, require a relationship of a minimum of 30 days between the candidate and LMHP before issuing an ESA letter. Utah does not have such requirements. 

How to Get an ESA Letter in Utah?

The indicative steps on how to get an ESA Letter in Utah are listed below. These are suggested steps as to how the process can work outside of CertaPet. 

  1. 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 Utah. As a reminder, these professionals are the only individuals allowed to write an ESA Letter in Utah. They can assess a patient’s mental health status and determine whether the applicant qualifies for an ESA.
  2. 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.
  3. 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. 

Get an emotional support animal in Utah from CertaPet in three simple steps. First, answer the questions in the screening test to check eligibility for the ESA letter in Utah. Second, get contacted by a licensed mental health professional in Utah via phone call. Third, receive the Utah ESA letter in a hard copy or electronically, in a printable, PDF version. 

What are the Advantages of Getting an ESA Letter in Utah through Certapet?

The advantages of getting an ESA letter in Utah through Certapet are listed below. 

  • Hassle-Free Procedure: Certapet ensures a smooth experience for candidates seeking ESA approval in three simple and fast steps. 
  • Decent Turnaround Time: Certapet’s LMHPs contact the candidate within two business days, which is reasonably fast. Letters are sent to approved candidates immediately. 
  • Legitimate ESA Documents: ESA letters obtained through Certapet are valid. Certapet is a legitimate business that collaborates with licensed practitioners and follows laws. 
  • Peace of Mind: Certapet ensures ESA owners enjoy benefits that do not apply to pets. Get an ESA letter online through Certapet and rejoice in the perks. 

Certapet's Quick and Easy Process for ESA Letters

  1. Free online assessment. A quick online screening test determines whether an ESA is a good fit for the applicant. The test is free of charge and takes only a few minutes. 
  2. Consult with a therapist. CertaPet automatically searches for a mental health professional licensed in Utah with whom a patient will conduct their teleconsultations from the comfort of your own home. 
  3. Get your ESA Letter. The CertaPet ESA letter provided by the LMHP is accessible online or is mailed directly to your address. 

CertaPet Free Screening Test

Take our free screening test and find out in as little as 5 minutes. 

Do ESA Letters in Utah need to be Renewed Annually?

Yes, ESA letters in Utah need to be renewed annually. Utah residents must renew ESA letters to update their medical records and to ensure protection under federal and state laws. 

ESAs are covered by the FHA, and many landlords request current ESA letters for review when considering ESA applications.  

Renewing ESA letters is simple, and owners who have received the current ESA letter online are allowed to complete the process via their accounts one month before the ESA letter expires. 

Scheduling an in-person visit with an LMHP and contacting a new clinician are other options. Online ESA letter renewal, however, is the simplest method. 

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

The requirements for getting an ESA letter in Utah are suffering from a mental health or emotional disability and having a licensed professional prescribe an ESA. 

Depression, anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD, ADHD, schizophrenia, autism, age-related cognitive decline, and various phobias are among the mental disabilities qualifying for emotional support animals. 

A mental health professional licensed in Utah talks to the candidate, evaluates the mental issue, and recommends an ESA if it is beneficial for the candidate’s condition.  

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

Yes, ESA letters are valid in Utah only if issued by a licensed professional within the state. Utah residents get ESA letters from mental health professionals in the state, including psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and psychiatric mental health nurses, as well as physicians.

Owners have the right to renew their letters one month prior to the expiration date. The ESA letter renewal process is simple. Contact the LMHP who wrote the letter or get in touch with a new clinician. ESA owners using online ESA services renew their letters via the accounts. 

Utah recognizes ESA letters from people who just moved into the state until they expire (within 12 months of being issued). The expired letters, then, must be renewed in Utah. 

Ensure the LMHP is stated and licensed in Utah by getting in touch. The contact information of the mental health professional is stated in the ESA letter. 

How to Avoid Online Scams in ESA Letters in Utah?

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

  1. Research the ESA Service. Investigate the different ESA providers offering online ESA letters. Read testimonials from previous clients to get a better understanding. 
  2. 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. 
  3. 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. 
  4. 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. 
  5. 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. 

CertaPet is a legitimate online ESA service. The platform has an outstanding reputation among clients and won the 2020 BBB Gold Star Certificate Award. Certapet provides valid ESA letters written by LMHPs in accordance with state and federal laws. 

What are the Specific Emotional Support Animal Laws in Utah?

The specific emotional support animal laws in Utah are listed below. 

  • Utah ESA Housing Laws: The Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects ESAs and obligates landlords to offer reasonable accommodation to ESA owners. The FHA overrides the property’s pet policies, and ESAs are allowed to live in rentals even if there are no-pet codes. ESAs are not required to pay pet taxes, such as rent, fees, and deposits. 
  • Utah ESA Employment Laws: Utah emotional support animal laws do not legally bind employers to accept ESAs in workplaces. Many employers are understanding and allow ESAs to accompany owners if they behave politely and refrain from interfering with daily work tasks. 
  • Utah ESA Laws for Public Places: ESAs are not classified as service animals and are not permitted in public places. Utah ESA laws do not grant special rights to emotional support animals, and their presence in public places depends on the property’s pet code. 
  • Utah ESA Travel Laws: The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) used to protect ESAs, but now it applies exclusively to service animals. Emotional support animal laws do not grant ESAs the right to travel in-cabin unless the airline has a pet-friendly policy. Many airlines allow pets and ESAs free of charge or at an additional fee.

Is Getting an ESA Letter Online Legal in Utah?

Yes, getting an ESA letter online is legal in Utah. Utah 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 Utah. 

Are Landlords Required to Accommodate ESAs of Tenants in Utah?

Yes, landlords are required to accommodate ESAs of tenants in Utah. The ESA laws in Utah protect people with emotional disabilities. 

Under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), landlords must provide accommodation to ESAs even if the rental has a no-pets code. Emotional support animals are exempt from pet rent, pet fees, and pet deposits. 

Landlords in Utah are legally allowed to deny housing to ESAs if they are dangerous to other tenants, cause severe damage, or pose an undue burden, either financial or administrative. 

Can you have Multiple Emotional Support Animals in Utah?

Yes, you can have multiple emotional support animals in Utah. Utah does not limit the number of ESAs per owner (while the number of regular pets per owner is restricted to three). 

Utah residents are allowed to have as many ESAs as a licensed mental health professional in the state sees fit. Multiple ESAs are sometimes could be recommended for people with different mental or emotional disabilities. 

The state does not limit the ESA number, but some landlords do. Under the FHA, landlords must ensure reasonable accommodations to ESAs, but too many ESAs are potentially seen as undue financial burdens, allowing landlords to deny housing services. 

author avatar
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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