Oqood is the DLD’s interim register for off-plan purchases. The developer handles it on its portal: it must register your SPA within 90 days of signing, and you receive the certificate by email. You pay the 4% DLD fee, which the rules split equally unless agreed otherwise, plus AED 20 in fees. With Oqood your purchase is registered in your name and you can resell or mortgage it before handover. When construction ends it becomes the title deed.
In this guide10 sections
| Step | Who | What is needed |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Sign the SPA | You and the developer | Your passport if you are not a UAE resident |
| 2. Application on the Oqood portal | The developer | The signed SPA and your documents |
| 3. Fees | You, usually through the developer | 4% DLD fee and AED 10 + 10 |
| 4. Certificate | The DLD | Sent to you by email |
| 5. Title deed | The developer and the DLD | Completed building and all payments made |
What is Oqood?
Oqood is the DLD’s interim register. It records sales of off-plan homes before they exist as completed property. Law No. 13 of 2008 makes it compulsory: any sale or disposal of an off-plan unit that is not entered in that register is void.
For you, the Oqood certificate is the official proof that the unit is bought in your name. It is the document you will need to resell off-plan, apply for a mortgage or handle any step before handover.
Who registers it and by when
You do not have to do it yourself. The developer files it on the DLD’s Oqood portal with the signed SPA and your documents. The DLD sets two clear timings:
- The SPA must be registered within 90 days of signing.
- Once the application is filed, the DLD processes it within one business day.
The certificate is issued electronically and emailed to the buyer. Check that your name, the unit and the price match the SPA.
Documents required
If you buy in your own name, the DLD asks for a copy of the signed SPA and your ID: an Emirates ID if you are a resident or a valid passport if you are not. If the buyer is a minor, the guardian signs and attaches their ID.
If you buy through a company, the list is longer: trade licence, the licence holder’s ID, a power of attorney if any and, for a limited or foreign company, the articles translated into Arabic and a shareholder certificate. For a foreign company, the articles must be legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
We prepare your documents and send them to the developer so the registration is not delayed.
How much it costs
The main cost is the DLD fee, 4% of the price. The rules split it equally between buyer and seller unless agreed otherwise, but off-plan the buyer usually pays it. On top come AED 10 knowledge and AED 10 innovation fees. On an AED 1,000,000 home:
| Item | AED | € | $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DLD fee, 4% | AED 40,000 | €9,695 | $10,892 |
| Knowledge and innovation fees | AED 20 | €5 | $5 |
| Total at Oqood registration | AED 40,020 | €9,700 | $10,897 |
Approximate figures, for illustration only.
The developer pays the DLD from its Noqodi wallet or from the escrow account and passes the fee on to you. The DLD also charges the developer AED 1,000, about €240 or $270, to register each sale in Oqood, and some developers pass it on. Check your contract. Some developers cover the 4% as a launch incentive, in which case it must be in the SPA. There may also be a developer admin fee. All costs are in the guide to buying costs and you can work out yours in the off-plan calculator.
What Oqood lets you do
A unit registered in Oqood can be sold, mortgaged or otherwise disposed of before handover. The law says so plainly. In practice:
- Resell. You can sell your unit before getting the keys with the developer’s NOC, and the DLD registers the new buyer. See the guide to selling before handover.
- Mortgage. A bank can finance part of the purchase. For an off-plan home the Central Bank of the UAE sets a maximum of 50% of the value.
- Prove your purchase. To your bank, to the authorities at home or to anyone else.
If the developer is slow to register it
The 90-day deadline is set by the DLD. If the developer is late or does not register your contract, the DLD lets you apply for registration yourself through its real estate registration assurance section, with the SPA and proof of payment.
If you have questions about the registration, we resolve them with the developer’s team.
From Oqood to title deed
Oqood lasts as long as construction. When the developer gets the completion certificate, the law requires it to enter the project in the property register and to transfer each unit to the buyers who have completed their payments.
That step costs AED 250 for the title deed, AED 250 for the unit map and AED 20 in fees. The 4% is not paid again, because you already paid it at Oqood. The DLD issues the title deed electronically in about 6 business days. We cover it in detail in the guide to handover and snagging.
Oqood when you buy from abroad
Buying from another country changes nothing in the registration. You do not need residency or to travel: with your passport and the signed SPA, the developer files the Oqood and the certificate reaches you by email wherever you are.
What you should do is keep it safe. Your bank will ask for it, your tax adviser will need it when you report the property at home, from the UK to the US, and a buyer will ask for it if you sell.
Things to keep in mind
- Ask the developer when it files the Oqood.
- Check name, unit and price on the certificate.
- See in the SPA who pays the 4% DLD fee.
- Ask whether there is an admin fee and how much.
- Keep the certificate with the SPA and your proof of payment.
- If you buy through a company, have the Arabic translation of the articles ready.
With us, Oqood is part of following your purchase: we prepare your documents, confirm the registration with the developer and send you the certificate.
Frequently asked questions
What is an Oqood certificate?
It is the DLD interim register certificate proving your off-plan purchase is registered in your name. It is emailed to you.
How long does Oqood registration take?
The developer has 90 days from signing the SPA to register it, and the DLD processes it within one business day of filing.
How much does Oqood cost?
The 4% DLD fee, which the rules split equally unless agreed otherwise, plus AED 20 in fees.
Do I need to travel to Dubai for Oqood?
No. The developer files it with your passport and the signed SPA, and the certificate is emailed to you.
What if the developer does not register my purchase?
You can apply to the DLD yourself with the SPA and proof of payment.
Is Oqood the same as a title deed?
No. Oqood is the interim registration during construction. The title deed is issued at completion, once you have made all payments.
