Register Your Service Dog in West Virginia

No. Federal ADA law does not require registration, and West Virginia does not require registration. Service-dog rights attach to the dog's training and the handler's disability, not to any document. That said, handlers in West Virginia consistently tell us a real photo ID card and a scannable Wallet pass make day-to-day interactions faster — fewer arguments at restaurants, smoother check-ins at hotels, less back-and-forth at the gate.

Under federal law and W. Va. Code § 5-15-4 et seq., a service-dog handler in West Virginia can bring a trained service dog into virtually any place open to the public — restaurants, hotels, retail, transit, hospitals, government buildings — and into rental housing regardless of pet policies. Air travel is governed separately by the ACAA, which allows trained service dogs in the cabin with the right paperwork.

Yes — but only two specific questions, and only if the dog's role isn't obvious. Business staff can ask: (1) Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? and (2) What work or task has the dog been trained to perform? They cannot ask about your disability, demand documentation, require the dog to demonstrate the task, or charge a pet fee. That's federal ADA law, applied uniformly in West Virginia.

Anywhere open to the public — restaurants in Charleston, hotels statewide, grocery stores, hospitals, taxis and rideshare, trains and buses, government buildings, and most private businesses. The ADA carves out only narrow exceptions (sterile hospital environments, situations where the dog is out of control or not housebroken). Outdoor public spaces — parks, beaches, transit hubs — are also covered.

Yes. The federal FHA and West Virginia state housing law together require landlords to allow service dogs and ESAs as a reasonable accommodation, even in pet-restricted buildings. They cannot charge pet rent, pet fees, or pet deposits for service or assistance animals. A USAR record is not legally required for accommodation, but it shortens documentation requests.

Yes — the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form. The ACAA requires it for most U.S. airline cabin travel. CRW (Yeager Airport) handlers should submit the form to their airline at least 48 hours ahead. USAR's Premium and Elite packages include this form; it's also available standalone from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Yes. Every USAR record has a public verification URL. Your QR code on the printed ID card and Wallet pass links straight to usserviceanimalregistrar.org/verify/?reg=YOUR-ID. Anyone with a smartphone camera can scan and see the record live — handler, dog, status. The Wallet pass updates automatically when the underlying record changes, so verification stays accurate.

Pricing is transparent. Essential is $89 first year, $29.99/yr after that. Classic is $149 first year, $29.99/yr after. Premium is $219 (Service Dog and PSD) or $209 (ESA) — that includes the printed photo ID card, Wallet pass, certificate, housing letter, and DOT form. Elite is $349 (SD/PSD) or $299 (ESA). A standalone Lifetime registration is $79.99 one-time. Full tier comparison at /pricing/.