What does Oqood record?

Dubai's interim register records off-plan property transactions before their inclusion in the property register. DLD's initial-sale service uses Oqood and issues a provisional registration e-certificate.

RecordWhat to check
Signed SPA and annexesThe unit, purchaser, price and agreed terms
Provisional registration e-certificateThe registration result and whether its details match the purchase
Later title deedThe separate ownership record issued through the completion procedure

Read the SPA checklist with your agreement open. Mark missing annexes before signing.

Sources: Dubai Legislation Portal, Law 13/2008, Articles 2–3 and 8 · DLD, initial-sale registration · Checked 10 November 2026.

Who registers the purchase, and what should you prepare?

The developer submits through Oqood. For an individual purchase, DLD lists the signed SPA and valid UAE ID, or a valid passport for a non-resident. Company purchases have a separate document list; ask for the requirements for your ownership structure.

Give the developer the email address where you want the result sent. When it arrives, compare the purchaser and property details with your SPA. Keep identity documents in private correspondence with the responsible party.

Source: DLD, initial-sale documents and procedure · Checked 10 November 2026.

How much are the published Oqood registration fees?

DLD lists these amounts for initial-sale registration, checked 10 November 2026:

Published componentAmount
Seller's sale registration share2% of sale value
Purchaser's sale registration share2% of sale value
Knowledge feeAED 10
Innovation feeAED 10
Developer self-registration through the portalAED 1,000

The sale fee totals 4%, shared equally unless agreed otherwise under the cited resolution. Read who pays in your SPA, and ask why any developer portal charge appears on your bill.

Hypothetical purchase: AED 2,000,000 × 4% = AED 80,000 in combined sale registration fees. An equal split is AED 40,000 each. If your agreement assigns the whole sale fee to you, budget AED 80,000 for that component, then ask for the other applicable charges separately.

Ask for an itemised statement showing each charge, who pays and the payment recipient. Keep recurring building service charges outside this registration calculation.

Sources: DLD, current initial-sale fee list · Dubai Legislation Portal, Resolution 30/2013, Article 3 and schedule item 1 · Checked 10 November 2026. The example is arithmetic, not a settlement quote.

How long should registration take?

DLD requires registration within 90 days of signing and lists a processing time of a business day. Ask for the submission date so you can follow up on the application itself.

If the developer says the application is incomplete, ask what's missing. If you still have no reference or certificate, call DLD on 8004488 with your signed SPA and correspondence to hand.

Watch out: an overdue or missing certificate isn't, by itself, permission to stop contractual payments. Get advice on your agreement before acting.

Source: DLD, initial-sale terms, service time and support · Checked 10 November 2026.

What if the certificate is missing or the details don't match?

Send a specific request: “Please provide the registration reference and e-certificate for [project and unit]. The detail that needs checking is [name, unit or other mismatch]. Who is handling it, and when should I expect a response?”

Keep the reply with the SPA and ask DLD which correction or follow-up service applies.

Project progress is a separate check. DLD's Project Status Enquiry accepts a project name, project number or land number. A result there doesn't confirm your own purchase registration. If the concern is construction timing, use the delayed-handover guide.

Source: DLD, Project Status Enquiry · Checked 10 November 2026. The message above is a preparation example.

What isn't published for your purchase?

The public service pages don't show your application's status, your agreed fee allocation or an explanation for a missing certificate. Ask the developer for the reference and itemised statement; ask DLD to clarify anything unresolved.

The pages checked on 10 November 2026 were DLD's initial-sale, completion and project-enquiry services, plus the official legislation. Your own registration needs a separate enquiry.

If your proposed purchase is an office, use the ENARA project and contract checklist to prepare the unit, seller and outstanding-instalment questions before asking which registration procedure applies.

Frequently asked questions

Is Oqood the final title deed?

DLD describes the initial-sale output as a provisional registration e-certificate. Its separate completion service issues the electronic title deed and map for parties who meet their contractual obligations. Ask the developer which stage your purchase has reached.

Does receiving the certificate confirm the apartment is ready?

Check readiness separately. The registration result, project progress and the condition of your apartment answer different questions. Ask for the handover notice and inspection arrangements for your unit.

Can you resell using the same initial-sale procedure?

Don't assume that route applies. Ask DLD and the developer which transaction and approvals your resale needs. Check any developer NOC requirement against the proposed sale.

Where can an Arabic-speaking buyer continue?

Use the Binghatti buyer guide in Arabic to check a developer's claims against the unit documents. If you're considering that community, the Dubai Land Residence Complex guide in Arabic covers the building visit and daily journey. Keep a short list of missing records for the developer.

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