Texas Service Dog Registration

Register Your Service Dog in Texas

For handlers in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas or Austin: an ID card, certificate and digital ID in a few minutes.

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Texas Service Dog Laws at a Glance

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

The ADA protects service dog handlers in every state. Texas adds its own rules in Tex. Hum. Res. Code § 121.003(c) — here is what that means for you, with a link to each official source.

Public access lawTex. Hum. Res. Code § 121.003(c)
Service dogs in trainingCovered — Tex. Hum. Res. Code § 121.003(i)
Fake service dog penaltyA misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and 30 hours of community serviceTex. Hum. Res. Code § 121.006
Harming a service dogAttacking an assistance animal is a Class A misdemeanor; injuring one is a state jail felony; killing one is a third-degree felony.Tex. Penal Code § 42.091
Dog license feeNo statewide exemptionNormal local dog-license rules apply; some cities and counties waive the fee on request.
Where to file a complaintU.S. Department of Justice (ADA)Texas has no state agency for public-accommodation disability complaints.

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Texas Service Dog FAQ

Do I have to register my service dog in Texas?

No. Neither the ADA nor Tex. Hum. Res. Code § 121.003(c) requires registration, and businesses may not demand it.

What can a business in Texas ask about my service dog?

Only two questions: is the dog required because of a disability, and what task is it trained to perform. No documents, demonstrations or pet fees.

Can I take a service dog in training into public places in Texas?

Yes. The ADA doesn't cover dogs in training, but Texas does under Tex. Hum. Res. Code § 121.003(i).

Is it illegal to pass off a pet as a service dog in Texas?

Yes. Under Tex. Hum. Res. Code § 121.006, it is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and 30 hours of community service.

What happens if someone harms or interferes with my service dog in Texas?

Texas treats it as a specific offense under Tex. Penal Code § 42.091: Attacking an assistance animal is a Class A misdemeanor; injuring one is a state jail felony; killing one is a third-degree felony. Report it to local police, and keep vet bills and witness details.

How do I file a complaint if I'm refused access in Texas?

Texas has no state agency for public-accommodation disability complaints, so file with the U.S. Department of Justice at ADA.gov or talk to a disability rights attorney.

Can I fly with my service dog from Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)?

Yes. Airlines at Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) must accept trained service dogs in the cabin free of charge; most ask for the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form in advance.

Are service dogs allowed in rental housing in Texas?

Generally yes. Trained service dogs are a reasonable accommodation under the federal Fair Housing Act and Tex. Prop. Code ch. 301, so landlords should waive no-pet rules and pet fees, with narrow exceptions such as some small owner-occupied buildings.

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Official Sources

  1. Tex. Hum. Res. Code § 121.003(c) — service animal public access
  2. Tex. Penal Code § 42.091 — harming or interfering with a service dog
  3. Tex. Prop. Code ch. 301 — housing
  4. ADA Requirements: Service Animals (U.S. Department of Justice) — federal rules
  5. Service Animals (U.S. Department of Transportation) — air travel

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