Service Animals for People with Disabilities
The NC Department of Health and Human Services provides voluntary registration of service animals under the guidance of NC Statute § 168-4.3. and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA defines a service animal as a dog or miniature horse that has been trained to 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 1-800-514-0301.
Service Animal Registration Information
To voluntarily register your service animal, you must complete both pages of this application, obtain required signatures, and follow instructions for submitting the application for review.
- 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.”
- To verify self-training, a witness that has observed the service animal perform the task/s must sign the training affirmation on the application.
If your application is complete, we will send you an approval letter and registration tag for the animal’s collar.
If you have questions about service animal registration or need help completing the application form, email serviceanimal.registration@dhhs.nc.gov