Welcome, fellow dog lovers!
My name is Leslie
Lucky is more than my dog - he’s my best friend, my co-pilot, and my buddy on every adventure life throws my way. I know how much support and comfort he brings me, and I want to help others find that same happiness. I’ve taken a close look at the most popular Service Animal sites and narrowed them down to the very best options!
Best Service Animal Registration Services 2023
When I first looked for a service animal registration service I quickly became overwhelmed with all of the options. However, after carefully researching and testing firsthand the most popular services, it became very clear which companies were safe, reliable and cost-effective and which were flat out scams. I cover each service in detail so you know exactly what you can expect.
Choosing a service animal registration service is a big decision, and I have all the information you need to be sure you’re making the right one.
In a Hurry? Check Out My Top Pick
U.S. Service Animals
Service animals fly in the cabin of the plane for free and are exempt from pet security deposits.
What I liked
Founded by lawyers Partners with 2 online schools for service dog training Excellent legal supportAffordable pricing and money-back guarantee A+ BBB rating Offers service animal vests, collars, collar tags and leashes In business since 2015 Available in all 50 states Friendly customer support
What could be better
Sends multiple promotional mailers after registrationMy Favorite Service Animal Services
★ Winner ★
Runner Up
Runner Up
Runner Up
USA Service Dogs
Federal Service Dog Registration
0/5
United Service Dog
What I Learned About Service Animal Registration Services
Some service animal registration services were incredibly helpful - they’d have wonderful customer service, useful information on service dogs themselves, a great legal team, and would make the process itself a breeze.
Unfortunately, not everyone was so helpful. In fact, many of the options were actually no better than scams - and even some of the semi-reliable ones would have inaccurate info, or would make everything sound confusing or more stressful than it had to be.
My main goal was to find a service that would provide a service dog certificate that made it clear I both needed a service dog and that my dog was properly trained. I wanted to make sure it was enough to combat any hesitations from airlines, landlords, employers, business owners, or anyone else who may question if my service dog is legitimate.
Below, I’ve detailed what I loved and didn’t like about each of the services I’m recommending, so that you can avoid my trial and error, and start with the one that works for you!
Why a Trustworthy Service Animal Registration Service Is So Important
Like I mentioned above, some service dog registration providers are really nothing more than scams who prey on vulnerable people who need help. Before you commit to purchasing a registration through someone, you’ll want to be certain you can trust them for the following reasons:
1. If You Run Into Any Disputes or If Things Go Wrong, the Right Service Will Support You. Even though they’re legally required to not demand proof or hassle you about your service dog, some airlines, landlords, businesses, or employers can hassle you and cause issues. A good service dog registration service will often offer legal support if you run into trouble, so you can rest easy knowing you won’t have to face any problems alone.
2. Knowing you’re working with a legitimate service can help you feel confident that you will avoid fines. If you knowingly misrepresent your dog as a service animal - for instance, if you have a dog that is not trained to perform service dog tasks or if you do not have a diagnosed disability - you can face some harsh punishments. Depending on the state you live in, you may be faced with fines up to $1,000 - or even jail time.
What to Look For in a Service Animal Registration Service
I didn’t want to worry that I would have people doubt if my service animal is legitimate, or worry that I would have to deal with any disputes alone. I put in the effort to thoroughly examine each service animal registration service so that I could be totally confident that they don’t cause me - or you - any problems. These are some of the main things to look for when trying to avoid scams:
- Options to Help You Train Your Service Dog. This is a major factor to look for (and is rarely offered). A service dog cannot legally be considered a service dog unless they have been specifically trained to perform tasks that mitigate the symptoms of a disability. Ideally, a service should help you find a training school, help you self-train your dog, or insist on some proof that your dog has been trained.
- Readily Available and Helpful Customer Service. Registering your service animal is a big decision and can feel a little overwhelming at times. The service you choose should have a strong customer support team that is easy to get in touch with, knowledgeable, and understanding - it can help make the process much less stressful and far easier!
- A Fair Price. Obtaining a service animal itself can be very expensive, so you don’t want to have to pay a lot of additional fees to register your animal. You’ll want to look for a service that matches your budget. Sometimes, very low prices can be a sign that the service isn’t going to put in the work to help support you - and prices that are too high can be a sign that they’re only after profits and are taking advantage of you.
- Fast Service. You don’t want to wait to feel confident about living with your service animal or taking them with you in public, so you’ll want a registration service that doesn’t take long to approve and can send you your supplies and documentation quickly.
- Legal Support. As I mentioned earlier, it’s unfortunately not unheard of for landlords, companies, or employers to hassle you about your service animal. A truly helpful service dog registration service will be there for you if you face any legal issues, so you’ll always know someone has your back.
- Knowledge About Every State’s Laws. While service animals are federally protected, there can be some slight differences in requirements based on the state you live in, as well as varying fines for not following those requirements. You’ll want to be sure whatever service you choose has accurate information and a good legal team that is knowledgeable about every state.
Top 8 Service Animal Registration Services 2023
U.S. Service Animals
Service animals fly in the cabin of the plane for free and are exempt from pet security deposits.
What I liked
Founded by lawyers Partners with 2 online schools for service dog training Excellent legal supportAffordable pricing and money-back guarantee A+ BBB rating Offers service animal vests, collars, collar tags and leashes In business since 2015 Available in all 50 states Friendly customer support
What could be better
Sends multiple promotional mailers after registrationI was most comfortable with U.S. Service Animals for a long list of reasons, not least of which is the fact that they were actually founded by lawyers. This helped me rest easy, knowing that every possible legal factor was considered, and all the information, paperwork, and services were reflective of the latest legal developments. Not surprisingly, considering this, their legal team is especially strong, which is a lifesaver if you find yourself in a dispute with your landlord or employer. They have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, which helped me feel even more secure - and they have an outstanding customer support team, if you do have any issues.
They also partner with two premier online service animal training schools. Thanks to these partnerships, U.S. Service Animals customers can receive discounted pricing, making it easy to self-train your service animal from home. And they have a network of mental health professionals in all 50 states, so if you need a diagnosis or consultation, U.S. Service Animals can help you there as well.
I was very happy to find that their service animal registration services (which include a pet ID) are very affordable, and they offer a 45-day refund policy. They even offer service dog vests, collars, leashes and collar tags to make your service animal as visible as possible. The only thing I wasn’t in love with was how many promotional mailers they sent after registering - but overall, this is a small complaint considering all the unmistakable benefits.
Wrapping UpYou really can’t go wrong with U.S. Service Animals. I felt completely confident in their knowledge, they made the process simple and supported me the whole time, and offered unbelievable service at a wonderful price!
Runner Up
What I liked
Exceptional value Reliable legal team
Does not sell unneeded accessories Offers PSD training courses as well
Helpful customer service
What could be better
Can only check out over the phoneMy Experience Using Valid ESA Letters
Obtaining a service animal through traditional methods can be prohibitively expensive. Thankfully, Valid ESA Letters offers wonderful service animal registration services - including an impressive legal team and great customer service - for a remarkable value. They don’t sell accessories, like vests and ID tags, as they focus on only what is required to make your dog a psychiatric service dog (PSD). They offer PSD training courses, so if you’re looking for an affordable way to obtain a service dog to help with your mental health disability, then Valid ESA Letters can be an ideal pick.
However, there was one thing I didn't like - and which could be a big problem if you experience social anxiety, or any other issue that can make speaking on a phone difficult. Unlike other services, they don’t offer a way to check out on your own; instead, you must submit a lead and wait for a call back or call the number on their site and speak to one of their experts, who then takes your credit card info and then checks out for you. While this can be stressful for some, it’s also important to remember that this kind of process is also a great sign; having to talk to a real, qualified expert before you pay helps prove that Valid ESA Letters is legitimate.
Wrapping Up
If speaking on the phone isn’t an issue for you, Valid ESA Letters can be a remarkable service at a fantastic price, and they clearly put helping those with disabilities above making an impressive profit.
What I liked
Fast pre-screening quiz Same-day approval
Educates customers on potential scams and legal requirements
What could be better
Does not offer any training themselves Does not partner with any training organizations
More expensive than other services
Must give personal info before you can get the pricesMy Experience Using American Service Pets
American Service Pets makes knowing if you qualify for a service dog a less intimidating process than some others and got me an answer quickly. They offer a fast pre-screening quiz, so in just a matter of moments, you can have a better idea if you’re likely to qualify - instead of dragging you through the entire process first. Once you qualify, they typically give you same-day approval, so you’ll be ready to go in no time!
I also love how they offer a lot of information to explain legal requirements and help you steer clear of any illegitimate sites; they help educate you on what to look for when spotting service dog registration scams. However, their biggest flaw is that they offer no training themselves, and they don’t partner with any other training services. They’re also more expensive than some other options, especially if you’re registering multiple animals since they charge full price for each dog. You also have to input your personal info before you’re given your final price, which I found very frustrating.
Wrapping Up
American Service Pets is a great option if you’re unsure if you qualify for a service animal and want an answer fast, though their lack of training makes them less useful than the other leaders on my list, and they can be expensive.
What I liked
Reasonably priced Allows you to put multiple service animals on one ID tag
Offers a self-training program
What could be better
Website is hard to follow, due to confusing writing Some of the information on the website is not accurate
Claiming you legally need accessories makes them feel scammy
Self-training is less intensive than others’My Experience Using US Service Animal Registrar
If you’re looking to register multiple dogs as your service animals, then U.S. Service Animal Registrar can make the process a breeze. On their ID cards, they offer the option to include two different animal images, so you can easily show that both of your dogs are service animals and must be granted public access. While they’re reasonably priced and offer a self-training program you can take to help your dog become a service animal, it was clear it’s definitely inferior to the training offered through U.S. Service Animals - there’s less courses, and they aren’t nearly as thorough or in-depth.
However, I did find some issues with the website. For one, the whole site feels a bit poorly put together - there is poor writing throughout, and it made the process hard to follow for me. More worryingly, they have some inaccurate information on their website as well. For instance, they said your service dog must have identifying accessories (like a leash that says “service dog”) to fly on an airplane, which is not legally accurate and feels scammy.
Wrapping Up
U.S. Service Animal Registrar is a great option if you are looking to register multiple service animals for yourself, and their self-training program is extremely helpful! But the poor writing on their site and the inaccurate info in places makes it my least favorite out of the sites that offer training.
What I liked
Offers therapy dog certificates as well
Reasonably priced
Explains clearly that identifying materials are not needed
What could be better
Documents are non-refundable Charges for documents that are free online elsewhere
No training is offered
My Experience Using My Service Animal
My Service Animal not only offers service dog registration, but they also offer therapy dog registration (which aren’t service dogs, but instead essentially emotional support animals that support anyone at a particular location - like a nursing home - instead of a specific handler). I also loved that they make clear that identifying materials, including a registration certificate, is not legally required and no business may demand to see them. They also are fairly priced, making them accessible to many.
However, their documents are non-refundable, so if you have any issues or change your mind about your purchase, you’re out of luck (I know I can be prone to typos when filling out these sorts of things, so it made me nervous). They also charge for some materials which should not be charged for, such as a Department of Transportation form which is available for free online elsewhere - not only does this mean you may end up spending more than you need to, but it feels very scammy.
Wrapping Up
If you’d like to register a therapy dog, then My Service Animal can be helpful. However, they do have some scammy signs - such as charging for documents that are free online elsewhere, and they don’t offer refunds on documentation.
What I liked
Offers fast and free shipping on ID Kits and accessories
What could be better
No training is offered Has inaccurate info on their website Money-back guarantee is only good for 14 daysMy Experience Using USA Service Dogs
If you know you want accessories and that you’ll likely need them quickly, then USA Service Animals may be appealing. They offer quick, free shipping on their products, so you’ll receive your ID Kit and any accessories you order right away. They also offer a money-back guarantee (although it’s only a 14-day guarantee).
Unfortunately, USA Service Dogs offers no training, and does not partner with any other training schools; they simply ask that you’re “honest” about your dog’s abilities, which can harm the legitimacy of their approval process. Beyond that, they also give some inaccurate information, which made me quickly lose some trust in them. For one, they mention that their registration is good for the life of your dog, even for emotional support animals (ESAs). However, an ESA registration must be renewed every year to be considered legally valid.
Wrapping Up
If you’re already informed about service animals and don’t need to rely on the registration service for information, and if you want your certificate and accessories very quickly, then US Service Dogs can work for you - but they have several signs of being less trustworthy than others.
What I liked
Digital registration is completely free and immediate
What could be better
No training is offered No refund is offered if there is an error on your ID tag Has wrong information on their site
Missing basic services that other companies offer
My Experience Using Federal Service Dog Registration
If you want a simple, bare-bones service dog registration service that doesn’t impact your budget at all, then Federal Service Dog Registration is worth considering. They offer an immediate registration that costs absolutely nothing; all I had to do was fill out a form, and they immediately emailed me my registration information. However, if you want a certificate, ID tag, or any accessories, you will have to pay for those.
Unfortunately, there are multiple issues with the site. They offer no training whatsoever, nor do they require any proof your dog was trained. If you have any typos or errors on your ID card you order, there are no refunds allowed, so you may end up having to pay for multiple tags. Also, they have wrong information on their site, including claiming their ESA letters will let them fly with you (which is no longer legally guaranteed), and they offer unneeded materials like psychiatric service dog certificates.
Wrapping Up
If all you want to do is be able to show your service dog is registered (digitally) at no cost to you, then Federal Service Dog Registration can work for you. However, if you want additional services or if you want to learn more about service dogs and their rights, then they’re not really any help.
What I liked
Helps you find a service dog trainer in your area
What could be better
No training is offered Misleadingly offers unnecessarily specific kits Reports of customers never getting what they’ve paid for
Customer service may never respond to you, even for major issues
Potentially impossible to get refunds
May be a scamMy Experience Using United Service Dog
There were a few major red flags when I researched United Service Dog - and they made me worry they’re potentially a scam. I found multiple reports of people saying they never received the documents they paid for, and when they wrote the company to ask for updates, customer service never responded back to them - which made it impossible to get a refund. Because of this, I can’t recommend them as a service dog registration service.
However, while United Service Dog does not offer any training and does not partner with any other training schools, they do help you find a service dog trainer in your area. You simply fill out a form, and they’ll message you with options near you. Honestly, though, I wouldn’t feel particularly safe giving them my contact information. They also offer free shipping (though this is pointless if they never send out the documents).
Wrapping Up
If you’re looking for help finding a service dog trainer near you, then United Service Dog may be useful. However, the reports I found of people not receiving what they paid for, and then being ghosted by customer services, so I can’t recommend them.
Comparison Chart
Here is a quick cheat sheet if you don't feel like reading above. There are a lot of similarities between the services, but there seems to be a clear front runner with US Service Animals.
| Legit | Turnaround | Experience | Legal Support | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ideal Service Animal Service |  |
5 | 5 | |
<$300 |
|
U.S. Service Animals |
|
5 | 5 | |
$129-179 |
|
Valid ESA Letters |
|
4 | 4 | |
$150-200+ |
| American Service Pets | |
4 | 3.5 | |
$149-200 |
| U.S. Service Animal Registrar | |
3.5 | 3.5 | |
$100-200 |
My Overall Thoughts
I’m so grateful you read through my thoughts and breakdowns of the major service dog registration services! I wanted to help not only myself, but others who live with disabilities, find companies that are truly trustworthy, helpful, and legitimate. I feel much more comfortable now knowing I have a handy service dog registration, as well as a strong legal support team that will be by my side if I face any issues.If you still have questions about registering your service dog, or if you’d like to reach out about your own experiences with these or another provider, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me! I love helping others feel happy and secure with their service animal!