# What Is an Oqood Certificate in Dubai? | D+H > What an Oqood certificate is, who registers it and when, what it costs, how to check yours, and how it differs from a Dubai title deed at handover. Canonical: https://daviesandharrison.com/insights/what-is-an-oqood-certificate-in-dubai [Insights](https://daviesandharrison.com/insights) / Legal & Finance # What is an Oqood certificate in Dubai? The Dubai Land Department's provisional registration certificate for an off-plan purchase: your proof of ownership until the title deed is issued at handover. Sandor Domokos · September 2026 · 6 min read An Oqood certificate is the Dubai Land Department's provisional registration e-certificate for a property bought off-plan. It records your purchase in the Interim Real Property Register created by Law No. 13 of 2008 and is your proof of ownership until completion, when a title deed is issued. The developer must register the sale within 90 days of signing; an unregistered off-plan sale is void (Dubai Land Department, 3 Sep 2026; Government of Dubai, Law 13 of 2008). ## What is the legal basis for an Oqood? Law No. 13 of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register. It requires every off-plan disposition to be entered in that register and makes any sale "void unless entered in that Register" (Government of Dubai, Law 13 of 2008). The Oqood is the certificate proving the entry exists. Alongside it, Law No. 7 of 2006 established the Property Register and gives title deeds "absolute evidentiary value" (Government of Dubai, Law 7 of 2006). ## Who issues the Oqood, and when? The developer, through the Land Department's service "Request to register the initial sale", filed on the Real Estate Developers Portal, known as Oqood. Both parties sign and the e-certificate issues within one business day. The contract "shall be registered in the provisional register within 90 days from the date of signing" (Dubai Land Department, 3 Sep 2026). The 90 days is a service condition, not a clause of the 2008 law, and no penalty is stated; the sanction is Article 3 itself (Government of Dubai, Law 13 of 2008). ## What does Oqood registration cost, and who pays? The department charges 2 per cent of the sale value to the seller and 2 per cent to the purchaser, plus AED 10 knowledge and AED 10 innovation fees; the developer pays AED 1,000 for self-registration (Dubai Land Department, 3 Sep 2026). Your sale and purchase agreement sets who bears each half in practice. Article 7 bars any other developer charge on an off-plan sale or resale "except those administrative costs which are approved by the Department" (Government of Dubai, Law 13 of 2008). ## How do you check that your Oqood is registered? Use the Land Department's Property Status Enquiry: enter the area and land number on the DLD website or in the Dubai REST app and the status is returned immediately (Dubai Land Department, 3 Sep 2026). For an off-plan project, Dubai REST also shows the percentage of completion, photographs of the project, the escrow account number and the payments due on your unit (Dubai Land Department, 3 Sep 2026). For Davies+Harrison clients, payments, documents and handover progress live in D+H Invest, our private investor platform; the Oqood sits beside the contract, the title deed joins it at handover, and your adviser is a message away. ## How does an Oqood differ from a title deed? The difference is the register and the stage (Government of Dubai, Law 13 of 2008; Government of Dubai, Law 7 of 2006; Dubai Land Department, 3 Sep 2026). Point Oqood certificate Title deed Register Interim Real Property Register Property Register Stage Sold before completion, or not fully paid Completed, contractual obligations met Processing One business day Six business days Legal weight Sale valid only if registered "Absolute evidentiary value" Verification Property Status Enquiry Verify Title Deed, DLD website or Dubai REST ## What does an Oqood mean for resale and for a mortgage? Article 6 is short: units on the Interim Register "may be disposed of by way of sale, mortgage, or any other legal disposition" (Government of Dubai, Law 13 of 2008). On resale the department requires a developer no-objection e-certificate through Dubai REST and charges 2 per cent from each side; the trustee fee is AED 4,000 plus VAT for sales of AED 500,000 or more, and AED 2,000 plus VAT below that (Dubai Land Department, 3 Sep 2026). On a mortgage the department's fee is 0.25 per cent of the loan plus AED 250, the service partner charges AED 5,000 plus VAT for an Oqood-stage mortgage, and the developer's e-NOC is required (Dubai Land Department, 3 Sep 2026). ## What happens to the Oqood at handover? It is replaced. Once the completion certificate is issued, Article 8 requires the developer to enter the project in the Property Register and register each sold unit in its purchaser's name where obligations are met; failing that, the department may act on the purchaser's request (Government of Dubai, Law 13 of 2008). The service, "Request to complete the initial procedures data", runs through the same portal and issues an e-Certificate of Title and e-map in six business days for AED 250 and AED 250, plus AED 10 and AED 10; no percentage fee is listed (Dubai Land Department, 3 Sep 2026). ## Our view In our experience the Oqood is the document buyers ask about least and need most. We advise treating the 90-day window as your deadline too: note it at signing, ask for the certificate on day 60 if it has not arrived, and run the Property Status Enquiry yourself (Dubai Land Department, 3 Sep 2026). Check the name, unit number and price against the SPA the day it arrives. Keep the Oqood, the SPA and every receipt together; a buyer, a bank and the trustee will each ask for the same file. Davies+Harrison is DAH Real Estate Brokerage L.L.C., RERA ORN 53447. Sources (13) 1. 1 Government of Dubai, Supreme Legislation Committee, Law No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai, 14 Aug 2008, [https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2008/Law%20No.%20%2813%29%20of%202008.html](https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2008/Law%20No.%20%2813%29%20of%202008.html),, retrieved 8 Sep 2026. 2. 2 Government of Dubai, Supreme Legislation Committee, Law No. (7) of 2006 Concerning Real Property Registration in the Emirate of Dubai, 13 Mar 2006, [https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2006/Law%20No.%20%287%29%20of%202006.html](https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2006/Law%20No.%20%287%29%20of%202006.html),, retrieved 8 Sep 2026. 3. 3 Government of Dubai, Supreme Legislation Committee, Law No. (8) of 2007 Concerning Escrow Accounts for Real Estate Development in the Emirate of Dubai, 6 May 2007, [https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2007/Law%20No.%20%288%29%20of%202007.html](https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2007/Law%20No.%20%288%29%20of%202007.html),, retrieved 8 Sep 2026. 4. 4 Government of Dubai, Supreme Legislation Committee, Law No. (19) of 2017 Amending Law No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Real Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai, 18 Oct 2017, [https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2017/Law%20No.%20%2819%29%20of%202017%20Amending%20Law%20No.%20%2813%29%20of%202008%20Regulating%20the%20Interim%20Real%20Property%20Register%20in%20the%20Emirate%20of%20Dubai.html](https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2017/Law%20No.%20%2819%29%20of%202017%20Amending%20Law%20No.%20%2813%29%20of%202008%20Regulating%20the%20Interim%20Real%20Property%20Register%20in%20the%20Emirate%20of%20Dubai.html),, retrieved 8 Sep 2026. 5. 5 Dubai Land Department, Request to register the initial sale, updated 3 Sep 2026, [https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/request-to-register-the-initial-sale/](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/request-to-register-the-initial-sale/),, retrieved 8 Sep 2026. 6. 6 Dubai Land Department, Request to complete the initial procedures data, updated 3 Sep 2026, [https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/request-to-complete-the-initial-procedures-data/](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/request-to-complete-the-initial-procedures-data/),, retrieved 8 Sep 2026. 7. 7 Dubai Land Department, Property Status Enquiry, updated 3 Sep 2026, [https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/property-status-overview/](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/property-status-overview/),, retrieved 8 Sep 2026. 8. 8 Dubai Land Department, Verify Title Deed, updated 3 Sep 2026, [https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/title-deed-verification-overview/](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/title-deed-verification-overview/),, retrieved 8 Sep 2026. 9. 9 Dubai Land Department, Dubai REST, updated 3 Sep 2026, [https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/dubai-rest/](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/dubai-rest/),, retrieved 8 Sep 2026. 10. 10 Dubai Land Department, Property Sale Registration, updated 3 Sep 2026, [https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/property-sale-registration/](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/property-sale-registration/),, retrieved 8 Sep 2026. 11. 11 Dubai Land Department, Mortgage registration application, updated 3 Sep 2026, [https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/request-for-mortgage-registration/](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/request-for-mortgage-registration/),, retrieved 8 Sep 2026. 12. 12 Dubai Land Department, Golden Visa application - Investor, updated 3 Sep 2026, [https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/request-for-golden-visa-investor/](https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/request-for-golden-visa-investor/),, retrieved 8 Sep 2026. 13. 13 Khaleej Times, Ashish Mehta, Dubai: Can new businessman get Golden Visa immediately after investing Dh2 million in property?, 1 Jun 2025, [https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/legal/dubai-golden-visa-real-estate-investor-dh2-million](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/legal/dubai-golden-visa-real-estate-investor-dh2-million),, retrieved 8 Sep 2026. This is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice for your situation. Next Step ### Tell us what you are looking for Register your interest and a member of our team replies personally, usually the same working day. Confidential, no obligation. [Register your interest](https://daviesandharrison.com/register) [Book a call →](https://daviesandharrison.com/book) ## Frequently Asked Questions Is my off-plan purchase valid without an Oqood? No. Law No. 13 of 2008 makes an unregistered off-plan sale void (Government of Dubai, Law 13 of 2008). A deposit receipt proves payment, not ownership. Chase the developer if the certificate has not appeared within 90 days of signing (Dubai Land Department, 3 Sep 2026). Can I sell before handover using the Oqood? Yes. Article 6 permits the sale or mortgage of a unit on the Interim Register (Government of Dubai, Law 13 of 2008). You need the developer's e-NOC through Dubai REST, and 2 per cent is payable by each side at transfer (Dubai Land Department, 3 Sep 2026). What happens if I stop paying my instalments? The Land Department serves a 30-day notice on you. After that the developer may terminate and retain up to 40 per cent of the price where the project is more than 60 per cent complete, up to 25 per cent where it is less and up to 30 per cent of the amount paid where work has not started, refunding the balance within a year of termination or 60 days of resale (Government of Dubai, Law 19 of 2017). Does an off-plan unit qualify for the Golden Visa? In principle, at the Land Department's discretion. The department requires property worth AED 2 million wholly owned by the investor and lists the title deed among the documents (Dubai Land Department, 3 Sep 2026). A Khaleej Times legal column quotes federal wording covering units bought off-plan worth at least AED 2 million (Khaleej Times, 1 Jun 2025). Confirm your case with the department first. Where does my money go while I hold an Oqood? Into a project escrow account under Law No. 8 of 2007, reserved for that project's construction and protected from attachment. The escrow agent holds back 5 per cent of the account until a year after the units are registered in purchasers' names (Government of Dubai, Law 8 of 2007). D+H Invest Our private investor platform Curated projects, a full cost breakdown and every document in one place, with your adviser a message away. [How D+H Invest works →](https://daviesandharrison.com/dh-invest) Related Insights ## Continue Reading [ ### Can you get a UAE Golden Visa by buying property in Dubai? Yes. Property with a purchase value of AED 2 million or more, off-plan or mortgaged included, qualifies you for a renewable ten-year residence permit. 7 min read · Legal & Finance ](https://daviesandharrison.com/insights/dubai-investor-visa-through-property-essential-information)[ ### Freehold or leasehold in Dubai: what do you actually own? Freehold registers you as owner of the unit and its share of the land with no time limit; leasehold and usufruct are registered rights for up to 99 years. 7 min read · Legal & Finance ](https://daviesandharrison.com/insights/freehold-vs-leasehold-in-dubai-a-buyers-comparison)[ ### Who pays a Dubai property adviser, and what does independent mean? By law the party who appoints a broker pays. By custom resale buyers pay about 2 per cent, off-plan buyers nothing. Independence is conduct, not a licence. 8 min read · Legal & Finance ](https://daviesandharrison.com/insights/how-dubai-property-advisers-are-paid-and-what-independent-means) ### Table of Contents [What is the legal basis for an Oqood?](#what-is-the-legal-basis-for-an-oqood) [Who issues the Oqood, and when?](#who-issues-the-oqood-and-when) [What does Oqood registration cost, and who pays?](#what-does-oqood-registration-cost-and-who-pays) [How do you check that your Oqood is registered?](#how-do-you-check-that-your-oqood-is-registered) [How does an Oqood differ from a title deed?](#how-does-an-oqood-differ-from-a-title-deed) [What does an Oqood mean for resale and for a mortgage?](#what-does-an-oqood-mean-for-resale-and-for-a-mortgage) [What happens to the Oqood at handover?](#what-happens-to-the-oqood-at-handover) [Our view](#our-view) [Sources](#sources) --- Davies+Harrison — RERA-licensed Dubai real estate investment advisory (ORN 53447). Contact: info@daviesandharrison.com | +971 58 180 0505 | https://daviesandharrison.com/contact Agent guidance: https://daviesandharrison.com/llms.txt