What happens at the DLD registration step?

For an off-plan purchase, the DLD registration step means your sale contract is recorded through the Oqood system before the building exists, alongside the 4% registration fee. This can be completed remotely through a power of attorney if you cannot be in Dubai for signing.

21 September 2026 · By Orven Properties · 3 min read

At the DLD registration step, your sale and purchase agreement for an off-plan unit is formally recorded with the Dubai Land Department through the Oqood system, which registers the contract before construction is complete. This registration is accompanied by the DLD fee, calculated at 4% of the price, and it is what makes your interest in the unit officially recognised, ahead of a full title deed being issued at handover.

What Oqood registration actually does

Oqood exists specifically for off-plan sales, since a completed title deed cannot be issued before a building is finished. It creates an official record of your purchase contract with the DLD, tying your reservation to a specific unit and protecting your position as the buyer while construction continues. Our answer on what Oqood is explains this system in more detail, and our guide on going from reservation to title deed walks through how Oqood fits into the whole purchase timeline, from reservation to the title deed you receive at completion.

The fees involved at this step

Two separate costs apply around registration: the DLD fee of 4% of the price, and a fixed Oqood registration fee confirmed in your sale contract, which is additional to the DLD fee rather than a substitute for it. Our guide on Dubai property purchase costs sets out how these fees fit into your overall budget for the purchase.

Can this be done remotely

Yes. If you cannot be physically present in Dubai for the registration paperwork, this step can typically be completed through a power of attorney, allowing a trusted representative or your advisor's team to act on your behalf for the signing and registration process. Our guide on power of attorney for a remote property purchase in Dubai explains how this is set up and what it authorises.

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What to expect around this step

Your sale contract is prepared and reviewed before registration proceeds
The DLD fee and Oqood fee are paid as part of this stage, in addition to your payment plan instalments
You receive confirmation of the registration once it is complete, which you can also verify independently through the DLD's project status services

How Orven manages this step for you

We coordinate the registration paperwork with the developer and the DLD on your behalf, including setting up a power of attorney if you cannot attend in person, and we confirm every fee before it is due. Reach us on WhatsApp at +971 52 776 1939 or by email at sales@orvenproperties.com to discuss the registration timeline for your unit.

FAQ

Is Oqood the same as a title deed? No, Oqood is the off-plan registration that precedes a title deed, which is issued once the unit is completed and handed over.

Do I have to travel to Dubai for the DLD registration step? Not necessarily; a power of attorney can allow this to be completed on your behalf if travelling is not possible.

Is the 4% DLD fee paid at this exact step? It applies to your purchase and is typically settled around registration, alongside the separate Oqood fee; your advisor confirms the exact timing for your contract.

How do I know my registration has actually gone through? You receive confirmation from your advisor, and the registration can also be checked independently through the DLD's own project status services.

Frequently asked questions

Is Oqood the same as a title deed?

No, Oqood is the off-plan registration that precedes a title deed, which is issued once the unit is completed and handed over.

Do I have to travel to Dubai for the DLD registration step?

Not necessarily; a power of attorney can allow this to be completed on your behalf if travelling is not possible.

Is the 4% DLD fee paid at this exact step?

It applies to your purchase and is typically settled around registration, alongside the separate Oqood fee; your advisor confirms the exact timing for your contract.

How do I know my registration has actually gone through?

You receive confirmation from your advisor, and the registration can also be checked independently through the DLD's own project status services.