A Guide to Title Deed and Oqood

In a market as active and regulated as Dubai, property ownership is not defined by intention, it is defined by registration. In 2024, Dubai recorded more than 226,000 real estate transactions worth approximately AED 761 billion, reflecting the scale at which ownership changes hands and why documentation needs to be precise, verifiable, and easy to validate.

Two documents sit at the centre of that clarity: the Title Deed (for completed property ownership) and Oqood (for off-plan ownership rights during construction). Understanding their roles — and knowing when each applies — is essential for buyers, investors, and families planning for the long term.

Title Deed Explained 

A Title Deed is the official certificate of ownership issued by Dubai Land Department (DLD). It confirms the registered owner and the asset details, forming the legal foundation for:

● resale and transfer

● mortgage registration

● inheritance and estate procedures

● owner verification during due diligence

Dubai’s registration ecosystem supports digital verification, with the DLD offering an official Title Deed Verification service to confirm authenticity instantly. .

When A Title Deed Is Issued

A Title Deed is issued once a property is complete and ownership transfer is formally registered. For off-plan properties, it is issued after completion and handover, when final registration is processed. .

Oqood Explained

Oqood is Dubai’s interim registration system for off-plan sales — the legal milestone that records a buyer’s rights while a property is under construction. Managed by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) under the DLD, Oqood formalises off-plan ownership and reduces execution risk.

It transforms a signed off-plan agreement into a registered, trackable buyer position, ensuring transparency, resale eligibility (where permitted), and financing confidence.

What Oqood Confirms

An Oqood certificate typically reflects:

● buyer and developer details

● unit reference and project information

● registration status in the interim register

Industry guidance consistently positions Oqood as a core safeguard for off-plan buyers, formalising rights well before the Title Deed stage.

Title Deed Vs Oqood

Both documents relate to ownership,but at different stages of the asset lifecycle:

● Oqood: interim off-plan registration during construction

● Title Deed: final ownership certificate after completion and final registration

This distinction has practical significance: it determines when an asset becomes transferable, how confidently it can be used as collateral, and how efficiently it can be sold. 

Fees Buyers Should Expect

Dubai’s registration framework is transparent — but the structure differs depending on whether the unit is off-plan (Oqood stage) or ready (Title Deed stage).

Oqood Registration Fees

Oqood registration typically costs 4% of the property value, plus minor administrative charges. Payment structures vary by project, but interim registration is essential, protecting the buyer’s position throughout construction. Title Deed And Transfer-Related Fees For ready-property transfers, DLD fee schedules and service descriptions show a combination of percentage-based fees and fixed charges (including references to 4% and specific issuance-related line items such as AED 250 for title deed issuance in certain sale workflows).

Because fee lines can vary by transaction type (cash purchase vs mortgaged sale, trustee pathway, maps and administrative items), the most reliable approach is to confirm the exact breakdown through official DLD service channels for the specific transaction pathway being used.

Verification And Due Diligence That Protects Value

Premium assets behave differently across market cycles, but clear registration consistently supports liquidity. Proper documentation reduces friction at critical points: resale, refinancing, or portfolio restructuring. .

How Title Deeds Can Be Verified

The DLD provides a Title Deed Verification service, allowing buyers to validate ownership prior to commitment..

Digital Access

Dubai is embracing digital service delivery, with electronically issued Title Deeds available via official channels, enhancing efficiency, transparency, and low-friction administration..

Common Pitfalls To Avoid

Even sophisticated buyers can encounter avoidable delays when registration is treated as back office rather than as part of asset quality.

● Delaying Oqood registration: interim registration protects the buyer position during construction and underpins smoother future transfers where applicable.

● Assuming a reservation equals security: commercial intent is not ownership; registration is.

● Not validating documents through official channels: verification reduces fraud risk and prevents costly downstream complications.

●Overlooking fee structure early: registration fees are part of total acquisition cost and should be modelled from day one.

A Simple Decision Framework

● If the unit is under construction, the priority is ensuring Oqood registration is completed and documented correctly.

● If the unit is complete and ready, the priority shifts to final transfer registration and Title Deed issuance/verification.

● For investors, the core consideration remains whether the asset has the documentation integrity to exit efficiently and finance smoothly? Registration is a core part of that integrity — not an administrative afterthought.

The Title Deed and Oqood protect ownership, reduce transaction friction, and underpin long-term asset value in Dubai’s regulated real estate market. For discerning buyers and investors, clarity at the registration stage strengthens confidence across the entire ownership cycle — from financing and handover to resale and portfolio planning.

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FAQs

1.Is Oqood proof of ownership?

Oqood is generally treated as proof of an owner’s registered right to an off-plan unit during construction, before final Title Deed issuance.

2.When Does Oqood Become A Title Deed?

Typically after project completion and handover, when the unit progresses from interim registration to final registration and a Title Deed is issued.

3.Can A Title Deed Be Verified?

Yes. Dubai Land Department provides a dedicated Title Deed Verification service.