Property sale registration

How it works

Emirates ID of seller and buyer (shown for identity check only; no copy kept)
originalOnly if: For UAE residents.Must be valid
Valid passport (non-resident seller or buyer)
in some casesoriginalOnly if: When a party has no Emirates ID.Must be valid
Electronic no-objection certificate (e-NOC) from the developer, via the Dubai REST app
copyOnly if: For properties in freehold areas.Valid for the period stated on it (often short; check the date before the transfer appointment).
Bank liability letter / NOC and release of mortgage, if the property is mortgaged
in some casesoriginalOnly if: Only if the seller's property is mortgaged (DLD has a separate 'Registering the Sale of a Mortgaged Property' service).
Special power of attorney for this sale/purchase (original)
in some casesoriginalattestedlegal Arabic translationOnly if: If a party is represented. Issued abroad: notarised, attested by the issuing country's foreign ministry and the UAE embassy, then UAE MOFA, with legal Arabic translation and issued within the last 2 years (DLD circular 29/R/2025 as reported by law firms).Issued within the 2 years before submission (for POAs issued abroad; secondary source).
Seller's title deed (details/number)
copy

Non-UAE nationals can buy only in freehold areas (see the freehold topic).
A company party must first be registered with DLD (company registration request).
Service available to all residency statuses (residents and non-residents).
Payment at the transfer is usually by manager's cheques (DLD accepts ePay, Dubai Pay, Noqodi wallet and manager's cheque).

Processing time: About 25 minutes at the trustee centre once all documents, NOC and cheques are ready; the e-title deed is emailed. Preparing the NOC and bank clearance usually takes longer (days to weeks).
Validity of the result: Permanent: electronic title deed and electronic map in the buyer's name.
Where it is applied for: Real Estate Registration Trustee centres (in person).

Buyer and seller agree the price and terms (usually a memorandum of understanding, commonly the RERA 'Form F'; practice).
Seller obtains the developer e-NOC (freehold) and, if mortgaged, the bank liability letter.
Centre checks documents, books the trustee-centre appointment and prepares the manager's cheques list.
At the trustee centre: documents are uploaded, data entered and audited, fees paid.
DLD issues the electronic title deed and map to the buyer by email.

Tips that save you a trip

Ask the seller to request the developer NOC early; it is the most common cause of delay.
Confirm the exact cheque list (DLD fee, trustee fee, seller payment, bank payoff) with us the day before the transfer.
If the seller uses an attorney, the sale price cheque should be in the seller's own name unless the POA expressly allows the attorney to receive it (reported DLD 2025 rule).
Mortgage buyers: banks require fees and down payment to be paid by the buyer, not financed (UAE Central Bank rules; check with the bank).

Common reasons for rejection or delay

Developer NOC missing or expired (developer service charges unpaid).
Mortgage not cleared or bank letter missing.
Power of attorney not specific to the property/transaction, older than allowed, not attested, a scan instead of the original, or without legal Arabic translation.
Manager's cheques with wrong payee or amount.
Property under a restriction, seizure (sequestration) or dispute.

Who pays the 4%?

Officially 2% seller and 2% buyer; by market practice the buyer usually pays the full 4%. It is whatever the parties agree in the contract.

Can I buy without a UAE residence visa?

Yes. DLD accepts a valid passport for non-resident buyers; the property must be in a freehold area.

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.

Official sources

Legal basis

Dubai Law No. 7 of 2006 on Real Property Registration; Regulation No. 3 of 2006 (freehold areas); DLD service fee schedule

Updates your registered data in the Dubai Land Department's records, at the centre or online.

Obtains a to-whom-it-may-concern letter about your property from the Dubai Land Department.

Obtains an official certificate of your property's registered details from the Dubai Land Department.

Obtains the land map (affection plan) showing your plot details from the Dubai Land Department.