Initial contract of sale (Oqood)
Registers the initial sale contract of an off-plan property in the Dubai Land Department's Oqood system.
How it works
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Documents
You
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Reviewed by MARIO E.G.S.H AI
MARIO E.G.S.H AI
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Registered at trustee office
Runner at DLD
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Title deed issued
DLD
Documents required
Copy of the sale and purchase contract signed by developer and buyer
copyMust be registered within 90 days of signingValid Emirates ID copy of the buyer
in some casescopyOnly if: For resident buyers.Valid passport copy (non-resident buyers)
in some casescopyOnly if: For non-resident buyers.Company buyer: trade licence, Arabic-translated MOA, shareholder certificate, POA; foreign companies also ministry-ratified MOA and free-zone NOC
in some casescopylegal Arabic translationOnly if: Only when the buyer is a company.
Conditions, time and validity
- The SPA must be signed by the developer and the buyer and registered within 90 days of signing.
- For a minor buyer, the guardian signs and attaches his ID or passport.
- Registration of a developer's first sale is done by the developer on the Oqood portal; the buyer normally does not apply directly.
- Processing time
- One business day after the developer submits.
- Validity of the result
- Until the project is completed and the Oqood is converted to a title deed.
- Where it is applied for
- Real Estate Developers Portal (Oqood) on the DLD website; later Oqood transactions (resale, mortgage) at Real Estate Registration Trustee centres.
Steps at the authority
- Buyer signs the SPA with the developer and pays the agreed instalments into the project escrow account.
- Developer registers the sale on the Oqood portal and pays the fees (from Noqodi wallet or escrow deduction).
- The provisional registration e-certificate is emailed to the buyer; our centre checks it and handles any later Oqood transaction (resale, mortgage) at the trustee centre.
Tips that save you a trip
- Pay only into the project's escrow account named in the SPA, never into a personal account.
- Ask the developer for the Oqood certificate after signing; check it on the Dubai REST app.
- Many developers cover part or all of the 4% as a promotion; read the SPA to see who pays (secondary).
Common reasons for rejection or delay
- SPA not registered within 90 days of signing.
- SPA not signed by both developer and buyer, or minor buyer without guardian documents.
- For resale of an off-plan unit: developer NOC missing (developer may require a minimum % paid before allowing resale – practice).
Questions and answers
What is the difference between Oqood and a title deed?
Oqood is the provisional registration of an off-plan purchase; the title deed is issued after completion when the unit moves to the real estate register.
Checked by the MARIO E.G.S.H team on 2026-10-08. Rules can change at any time; our consultant confirms the details for your case.
Legal basis
Dubai Law No. 13 of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai (title read on the Dubai Legislation Portal on 2026-10-08; amended later); Dubai Law No. 8 of 2007 concerning escrow accounts for real estate development
Related services
Data update
Updates your registered data in the Dubai Land Department's records, at the centre or online.
To whom it may concern letter
Obtains a to-whom-it-may-concern letter about your property from the Dubai Land Department.
Property details certificate
Obtains an official certificate of your property's registered details from the Dubai Land Department.
Land map (affection plan)
Obtains the land map (affection plan) showing your plot details from the Dubai Land Department.