Maryland Emotional Support Animal Registration

Register Your Emotional Support Animal in Maryland

For ESA owners in Baltimore, Columbia, Germantown or Silver Spring: an ID card, certificate and digital ID in a few minutes.

  • ID card & certificate
  • Digital ID for your phone
  • Online lookup by ID number
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Maryland ESA Laws at a Glance

Written by: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC-MHSP)
Medically Reviewed by Evelyn Daley MSW, LCSW
Published: Last updated:

In Maryland, keeping an emotional support animal is a housing question, decided as a reasonable-accommodation request under the federal Fair Housing Act and Md. Code, State Gov't § 20-706. Since May 22, 2026, HUD reviews requests for untrained ESAs case by case, so Maryland's own rules below matter.

State housing lawMd. Code, State Gov't § 20-706Maryland Fair Housing Act
ESA letter rulesNo state-specific ruleWhen the need isn't obvious, a landlord may ask for reliable documentation of the disability-related need.
ESA misrepresentation penaltyNo ESA-specific state penalty
Where to file a housing complaintMaryland Commission on Civil RightsFile within 1 year of the incident.

In September 2026, the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights said Maryland law still covers untrained emotional support animals after HUD's May 2026 policy change, and that MCCR is the best place to file ESA housing complaints.

Start Your Maryland ESA Registration

  1. 1Owner
  2. 2Animal
  3. 3Kit
  4. 4Add-ons
Need an ESA letter for housing? Online evaluation by a licensed mental health professional Licensed in your state · approval not guaranteed Book Appointment
Step 1. Owner’s Information

We’ll send your registration confirmation and digital materials to your email.

Maryland ESA FAQ

Do I need to register my emotional support animal in Maryland?

No. Neither federal nor Maryland law requires or recognizes ESA registration.

What does Maryland require in an ESA letter?

Maryland has no ESA-specific letter law, so general fair housing rules apply under Md. Code, State Gov't § 20-706.

Can my landlord in Maryland refuse my ESA or charge a pet fee?

The landlord must consider it as a reasonable-accommodation request under Md. Code, State Gov't § 20-706 and the federal Fair Housing Act. Since May 2026, HUD no longer treats untrained ESAs as presumptively reasonable, so the outcome depends on your facts and Maryland law. If it's granted, ask in writing whether pet fees or deposits are waived.

Can I take my ESA into stores or restaurants in Maryland?

No. Md. Code Ann., Hum. Servs. §§ 7-704, 7-705 and the ADA give access rights to trained service dogs only.

Can I fly with my ESA from Baltimore/Washington (BWI)?

Airlines at Baltimore/Washington (BWI) may treat an ESA as a pet under 14 CFR Part 382, so check your airline's pet rules before booking.

Where can I file a housing complaint in Maryland?

With the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights within 1 year of the incident, or with HUD within 1 year. Private Fair Housing Act lawsuits can be filed within 2 years.

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Official Sources

  1. Md. Code, State Gov't § 20-706 — housing
  2. Maryland Commission on Civil Rights — housing complaints
  3. Report Housing Discrimination (HUD) — federal complaints
  4. 14 CFR Part 382 (U.S. DOT air travel rules) — flying with animals
  5. ADA Requirements: Service Animals (U.S. Department of Justice) — why ESAs lack public access

Need a Service Dog Registration Instead?

A task-trained dog, including a psychiatric service dog, is covered by Md. Code Ann., Hum. Servs. §§ 7-704, 7-705.

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This summary of Maryland law was last reviewed in October 2026 and is general information, not legal advice. United States Service Dogs is a private registration service, does not issue ESA letters, and is not a government agency.