Service Animals for People with Disabilities

The ADA defines a service animal as a dog or miniature horse that has been trained perform tasks for an individual with a disability. Dogs that provide emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.

Service animal registration is not required under the ADA. If you believe you have been illegally denied access to a public or private business because of your service animal, you may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Civil Rights. For more information about service animals or about filing a complaint, call the ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301.

For more information, see the ADA’s list of Frequently Asked Questions here. See below for additional information and forms related to service animals in North Carolina.

Service Animal Registration Information

• Registering a service animal or a service animal in training is voluntary; registration is not required.
• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) states, “A public entity may ask if the animal is required because of a disability and what work or task the animal has been trained to perform. A public entity shall not require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal.” 
• If you want to register, please fill out the first page and sign both pages. Please have the trainer fill out and sign the second page.
• If you trained a service animal yourself instead of working with a trainer, please provide a letter signed by a witness to verify what work or tasks the animal has been trained to perform.
• If your application is complete, EIPD will send you a registration tag for the animal’s collar.