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Oqood Registration in Dubai: How It Works, Fees and How to Verify Your Certificate

Q: Can I sell or mortgage a property that only has an Oqood?

Yes. Under Law No. 13 of 2008, units registered in the Interim Property Register can be sold, mortgaged or otherwise legally disposed of. Resale usually needs the developer's NOC, and the Central Bank caps off-plan mortgages at 50% loan-to-value.

BY Abu Alnaga property advisory team · October 19, 2026· 9min

Quick Answer
Oqood at a Glance
What Does Oqood Mean, and What Does It Prove?
The Oqood Journey:
How Does Oqood Registration Work?
Oqood Registration
How Much Does Oqood Registration Cost?
Verify Your Oqood Certificate
Oqood vs Title Deed vs SPA
What If Your Developer Has Not Registered Your Oqood?
Oqood, Resale, Mortgages and the Golden Visa
Common Oqood Mistakes to Avoid
Oqood Registration for Abu Alnaga Residences
Final Thoughts
FAQs

Oqood registration in Dubai is the Dubai Land Department’s interim registration of an off-plan sale. After you and the developer sign the Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA), the developer registers the sale in the Interim Property Register and you receive an Oqood certificate as proof until the title deed is issued at completion. Under Dubai Law No. 13 of 2008, an off-plan sale that is not entered in that register is void, so your Oqood certificate is the document that makes your purchase enforceable. This guide uses DLD’s own service rules to walk through each step, the documents, the fees, how to verify your certificate and what to do if it is missing.

Official legal basis: Dubai Law No. 13 of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register and DLD’s service page Request to register the initial sale.

Oqood at a Glance

Question	Answer (with official source)
What is Oqood?	The interim registration of an off-plan sale with DLD. The word is Arabic for “contracts”.
What law governs it?	Dubai Law No. 13 of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register
Who registers it?	The developer, through the Oqood portal, as set out on DLD’s service page
When must it be registered?	DLD’s service terms say the SPA must be registered in the provisional register within 90 days of signing
What do you receive?	A provisional registration e-certificate; DLD sends the output to the purchaser by email
What replaces it later?	The title deed, issued once the unit is completed and registered in your name
Does it apply to ready property?	No. Ready homes are transferred at a Real Estate Trustee centre with a title deed

What Does Oqood Mean, and What Does It Prove?

Oqood is Dubai’s interim register for off-plan property. It proves that your purchase of a specific unit has been officially recorded with DLD while the building is still under construction. It is not a title deed: it records your contractual interest, and the title deed becomes your final proof of ownership at completion.

Registration matters because it gives the sale legal standing. Under Article 3 of Law No. 13 of 2008, any disposition of an off-plan unit is entered in the Interim Property Register, and a sale that is not entered is void. Units that are registered can be sold, mortgaged or otherwise legally disposed of, which is why buyers, banks and developers all rely on it.

The Oqood Journey: From Reservation to Title Deed

Stage	What happens	Your action
1. Reserve	You choose a unit and pay a reservation amount (EOI)	Confirm the project registration and escrow account
2. Sign SPA	You and the developer sign the sale contract	Read the delay, payment and title deed clauses
3. Pay fees	You pay the down payment and the registration fees	Get an itemised fee breakdown in writing
4. Register	The developer files the sale through the Oqood portal	Ask for the filing date
5. Certificate	DLD issues your provisional registration e-certificate	Verify it and save a copy
6. Build	You pay instalments into the project escrow account	Keep every receipt
7. Handover	The unit is completed and your title deed is issued	Snag the unit and collect your deed

How Does Oqood Registration Work? Step by Step

01 Reserve the unit and check the project

Before you pay anything, confirm the project is registered on the DLD project status page. DLD’s Register Project service requires developers to provide a consultant letter, final building permits and an escrow account before selling off-plan. Our guide to booking a unit online with a Dubai developer explains KYC, the EOI and secure payment.

02 Sign the SPA

DLD’s terms say the sale and purchase contract must be signed by the developer and the purchaser. If the purchaser is a minor, it must be signed by the guardian, with a copy of the guardian’s passport or ID attached. Read the SPA fully, and have a professional review it if anything is unclear.

03 Pay the registration fees

DLD lists the sale registration fee as 2% of the sale value for the seller and 2% for the purchaser, 4% in total, plus AED 10 knowledge and AED 10 innovation fees. The 4% is usually paid by the buyer under the SPA, but it can be negotiated and some developers cover part or all of it. On AED 1,500,000 it is AED 60,000. See what it costs to buy property in Dubai.

04 The developer registers the sale

The developer logs in to DLD’s Oqood portal (the Real Estate Developers Portal), selects the provisional sale registration service and submits the application. DLD’s terms say this must be done within 90 days of the date the contract was signed. Ask your developer for the exact filing date.

05 DLD issues your Oqood certificate

The output is a provisional registration e-certificate, sent to the purchaser by email. Save it with your SPA and payment receipts.

06 Pay instalments into the escrow account

Your instalments go to the project’s escrow account, not to the developer’s own account. Read what escrow is in Dubai real estate for how funds are released against verified progress.

07 Handover and title deed

When the project is complete, the interim registration is replaced by a title deed in your name. The sale registration fee is not charged again at handover, but small title deed and admin fees apply.

If you are financing the purchase, DLD offers a combined service that lets the developer register the sale together with the mortgage, with the output emailed to the purchaser. Central Bank rules cap off-plan mortgages at 50% of the value.

What Documents Do You Need for Oqood Registration?

DLD’s service page lists the documents below. Your developer confirms the exact list for your case.

Document	Notes (from DLD’s service page)
Copy of the sale and purchase contract	Signed by the developer and the purchaser
Valid UAE ID	For individuals who are UAE residents
Valid passport copy	For non-residents
Guardian’s passport or ID	If the purchaser is a minor
Trade licence and licence holder’s ID or passport	If buying through a company
Power of attorney or shareholder certificate	Where applicable, for company purchases

How Much Does Oqood Registration Cost?

DLD’s own service page lists the percentage fee and two small fixed fees. Other charges are quoted differently by different market sources, so ask the developer to itemise everything.

Cost item	Amount	Notes
Sale registration fee	4% of the sale value	DLD lists 2% seller and 2% purchaser; usually paid by the buyer under the SPA
Knowledge fee	AED 10	Listed on DLD’s service page
Innovation fee	AED 10	Listed on DLD’s service page
Developer portal fee	Charged to the developer	DLD lists a self-registration fee for developers; ask whether any part is passed on
Mortgage registration, if financed	0.25% of the mortgage value	Listed on DLD’s mortgage-related services
Title deed issuance at handover	AED 250 plus AED 10 and AED 10	DLD lists AED 250 for title deed issuance; confirm your total in writing
Other admin or service-partner charges	Varies	Market sources quote additional admin fees; get them itemised

On an AED 1,500,000 purchase, the 4% fee is AED 60,000. See the cost guide for worked examples at three price points.

How to Verify Your Oqood Certificate in Five Steps

Check your email for the provisional registration e-certificate and note the Oqood number, unit and project.
Search the record using DLD’s website or the Dubai REST app. Service names can change, so look for the property or certificate status enquiry.
Match the details against your SPA: buyer name, unit number, price and developer.
Confirm the project is listed on the DLD project status page.
Confirm the escrow account on your payment instructions matches the project’s registered account.

If anything does not match, stop paying and raise it with the developer in writing straight away.

Oqood vs Title Deed vs SPA: What Is the Difference?

Document	What it is	When you get it	What it proves
SPA	The sale contract between you and the developer	When you sign	The agreed terms: price, schedule, handover
Oqood certificate	Provisional registration of the sale with DLD	After the developer files it	That DLD has recorded your interest in the unit
Title deed	Final ownership document from the Property Register	At completion and handover	That you own the unit

What If Your Developer Has Not Registered Your Oqood?

Treat it as urgent. Under Article 3 of Law No. 13 of 2008, an off-plan sale that is not entered in the Interim Property Register is void, so an unregistered sale may be difficult to enforce, and DLD’s terms expect registration within 90 days of signing. If you have paid the fees and have no Oqood after that period, take these steps:

Ask the developer in writing for the filing date and your Oqood number.
Check the project on the DLD project status page.
Keep proof of every payment, including the registration fee.
File a complaint through DLD’s real estate complaint service, available on its website or the Dubai REST app.
Consider taking legal advice before making further payments, and never pay outside the project’s escrow account.

This is general information, not legal advice, and the right steps depend on your contract.

Oqood, Resale, Mortgages and the Golden Visa

Resale: registered units can be sold under Law No. 13 of 2008. In practice most developers require their NOC and often 30% to 40% of the price to be paid first.
Mortgage: registered units can be mortgaged, but the Central Bank caps off-plan lending at 50% loan-to-value. See the Central Bank rulebook.
Golden Visa: the AED 2 million purchase value threshold may apply, and documents such as an Oqood certificate can be requested. Conditions for off-plan have changed, so check with DLD or GDRFA.

Common Oqood Mistakes to Avoid

Paying the registration fee and assuming the registration is done without asking for the certificate.
Not checking that the name, unit and price on the certificate match the SPA.
Paying admin or registration fees to an account that is not clearly the developer’s or the project’s registered account.
Confusing the Oqood certificate with a title deed.
Losing the receipts that prove what you paid and when.

Oqood Registration for Abu Alnaga Residences

For our residences, our advisory team can walk you through the registration steps, give you an itemised fee breakdown and show you where to verify your certificate. We would rather you test us than trust us, so ask any developer, including Abu Alnaga Development, for the filing date and your Oqood number in writing. Our current projects:

Al Ezz: studio to three-bedroom apartments across 40+ floors in Production City.
Versailles: ornate detailing and classic proportions in Dubailand.
Jadaf-3: clean lines and a confident façade in Al Jaddaf.
Aryam: generous layouts and light-filled interiors.
Meydan Tower: a striking silhouette on the Meydan skyline.

Comparing routes first? Read off plan vs ready property in Dubai, or see our guide to choosing the best freehold developer in Dubai. Questions are welcome through our FAQs or enquiry page.

Final Thoughts

Oqood registration is the step that turns a signed off-plan contract into a recorded legal right. Ask for the certificate, verify it with DLD, match it to your SPA and keep every receipt. Pair it with escrow checks and a review of the developer’s record. If you would like a second set of eyes on your paperwork, the Abu Alnaga team is happy to walk through it with you.

About Abu Alnaga Advisory Team

The Abu Alnaga Property Advisory Team is the in-house advisory team at Abu Alnaga Development, a Dubai developer founded in 2001 with its own construction company and dedicated labour force. The team guides buyers and investors through the whole purchase journey: setting a realistic budget, comparing payment plans, checking escrow and registration, reviewing the SPA, and handling Oqood registration, snagging and handover. Every guide is built around public Dubai Land Department and RERA rules, with the sources named so readers can verify them. Have a question about a specific project? Speak with an advisor.

Meet the team · Speak With an Advisor

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Oqood registration in Dubai?

Oqood registration is the Dubai Land Department’s interim registration of an off-plan sale. After the SPA is signed, the developer records the sale in the Interim Property Register under Law No. 13 of 2008, and the purchaser receives a provisional registration e-certificate until the title deed is issued.

What does Oqood mean?

Oqood is Arabic for “contracts”. In Dubai real estate it refers to the interim register where DLD records off-plan sale contracts, and to the certificate the buyer receives as proof that the purchase has been registered.

Who registers the Oqood, the buyer or the developer?

The developer registers it through DLD’s Oqood portal, as set out on DLD’s service page. The buyer signs the SPA, pays the registration fees and receives the certificate by email.

How long does Oqood registration take?

DLD’s service terms say the SPA must be registered in the provisional register within 90 days of the date it was signed. Ask your developer for the filing date in writing, and follow up if you have not received your certificate.

How much does Oqood registration cost?

DLD lists a 4% sale registration fee, split 2% seller and 2% purchaser, plus AED 10 knowledge and AED 10 innovation fees. The buyer usually pays the 4% under the SPA. On AED 1,500,000 that is AED 60,000. See our cost guide.

Is an Oqood certificate the same as a title deed?

No. Oqood is an interim registration that records your interest in an off-plan unit during construction. A title deed is the final proof of ownership, issued from the Property Register once the unit is completed and registered in your name.

What documents are needed for Oqood registration?

DLD lists a copy of the signed sale and purchase contract, a valid UAE ID for residents or a passport copy for non-residents, and for companies a trade licence, the licence holder’s ID or passport, and any power of attorney or shareholder certificate.

How do I check my Oqood certificate is genuine?

Search the record on DLD’s website or the Dubai REST app, match the buyer name, unit and price with your SPA, and confirm the project on the DLD project status page. Also check that the escrow account matches the project.

Can I sell or mortgage a property that only has an Oqood?

Yes. Under Law No. 13 of 2008, units registered in the Interim Property Register can be sold, mortgaged or otherwise legally disposed of. Resale usually needs the developer’s NOC, and the Central Bank caps off-plan mortgages at 50% loan-to-value.

What happens to my Oqood when the project is completed?

At completion and handover, the interim registration is replaced by a title deed issued in your name. The sale registration fee is not charged again at handover, but small title deed and admin fees apply.

What should I do if my developer has not registered my Oqood?

Ask in writing for the filing date, check the project on DLD, keep proof of payment and file a complaint through DLD’s complaint service. An unregistered off-plan sale is void under Article 3 of Law No. 13 of 2008, so consider legal advice. Never pay outside escrow.

Do I need Oqood when buying a ready property?

No. Ready homes are transferred at a Real Estate Trustee centre with a title deed, not through Oqood. See off plan vs ready property in Dubai for how the two routes differ.

Definition of Luxury · Since 2001

Buying Off-Plan and Want Your Paperwork Checked?

Our advisory team can explain the registration steps, fees and verification for any of our residences at Aryam, Al Jaddaf, Versailles Dubailand, Al Ezz and Meydan Tower.

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Buyer’s Guide

Oqood Registration in Dubai: How It Works, Fees and How to Verify Your Certificate

In This Article

Oqood at a Glance

What Does Oqood Mean, and What Does It Prove?

The Oqood Journey: From Reservation to Title Deed

How Does Oqood Registration Work? Step by Step

01

Reserve the unit and check the project

02

Sign the SPA

03

Pay the registration fees

04

The developer registers the sale

05

DLD issues your Oqood certificate

06

Pay instalments into the escrow account

07

Handover and title deed