Property gift (normal or development title deed)

How it works

Marriage certificate (gift to spouse), translated and attested by the UAE embassy and UAE MOFA
in some casesoriginalattestedlegal Arabic translationOnly if: When the gift is between spouses. UAE citizens: marriage contract or family book.
Birth certificate of the child (gift between parent and child), translated and attested
in some casesoriginalattestedlegal Arabic translationOnly if: When the gift is between parent and child.
Proof of kinship from the client's embassy in the UAE (as listed in the English DLD page)
in some casesoriginallegal Arabic translationOnly if: For a gift between parent and child: DLD's English and Arabic pages (read 2026-10-08) both ask, in addition to the attested birth certificate, for proof of paternity or kinship from the client's embassy in the UAE.
Emirates ID (identity only) or valid passport copy for non-residents – donor and recipient
original
Legal power of attorney expressly for the gift, if someone acts for a party
in some casesoriginalattestedlegal Arabic translationOnly if: Only for a representative.For POAs issued abroad: issued within the last 2 years (reported DLD 2025 rule).
Developer NOC (freehold units; practice)
in some casescopyOnly if: Not on the DLD gift page; commonly requested for freehold units (verify).

Not available for restricted land or granted land.
Apartments and villas are valued by DLD smart valuation during the transaction; land needs a separate property valuation request first.
A company recipient must be registered with DLD first.

Processing time: About 25 minutes at the trustee centre once attested kinship documents are ready; attestation abroad can take weeks.
Validity of the result: Permanent: new electronic title deed in the recipient's name.
Where it is applied for: Real Estate Registration Trustee centres.

Client collects the attested and translated marriage or birth certificates and IDs.
Centre checks kinship proof and books the trustee centre.
At the trustee centre the request is reviewed and approved and fees are paid.
DLD emails the new title deed (and map) to the recipient.

Tips that save you a trip

Iranian documents: have the marriage certificate (سند ازدواج) or birth certificate (شناسنامه) officially translated and attested by Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UAE Embassy in Tehran, then UAE MOFA and an Arabic legal translation in the UAE.
Siblings do not qualify for the reduced rate (secondary sources); compare the cost of a sale before planning.
The fee is based on DLD's valuation, not on a price you choose.

Common reasons for rejection or delay

Recipient is not a first-degree relative (e.g. brother, sister, nephew).
Marriage or birth certificate not attested by the UAE embassy and MOFA, or not legally translated into Arabic.
Names on the certificates do not match the passports (different spelling).
Property is mortgaged without the bank's consent, or is restricted/granted land.

Can I gift my flat to my brother at 0.125%?

No. DLD lists only mother, father, spouse and children (and companies). A brother or sister is usually registered as a sale at 4%.

Is the fee 0.125% of the price I paid?

No, of DLD's current valuation of the property, with a minimum of AED 2,000.

Checked by the MARIO E.G.S.H team on 2026-11-01. Rules can change at any time; our consultant confirms the details for your case.

Official sources

Who will receive the property?
The reduced gift fee applies only to first-degree relatives (spouse, parents, children). Other transfers, e.g. to a brother or sister, are usually registered as a sale (4%). Please ask our staff.

Legal basis

Dubai Law No. 7 of 2006 on Real Property Registration; DLD service fee schedule