The short answer
Oqood records the provisional transaction; a title deed relates to final registration. For a completed off-plan purchase, DLD has a developer-side service to complete the provisional procedures and issue the deed. Receiving keys does not itself confirm that the deed has been issued.
The practical difference
| Question | Oqood / provisional registration | Final title deed |
|---|---|---|
| What stage does it concern? | A transaction held in the interim register. | The relevant final property registration. |
| What should I request? | Issued certificate or application status. | Issued deed or completion-application status. |
| Does it replace the SPA? | No: retain the contract and amendments. | No: retain contractual and transaction records. |
| Does it prove a future sale needs no other checks? | No. | No. |
| What is the next enquiry if the property is complete? | Whether completion procedures are underway and what remains. | How to obtain or verify the issued deed, if needed. |
“Pre-title deed” is a term used in discussions of provisional off-plan paperwork. Check the actual document’s heading and issuer rather than treating the informal label as a separate guaranteed status.
How does Oqood become a title deed?
The relevant DLD completion service is submitted through the developer’s portal. The underlying legal framework links final registration to project completion and the purchaser meeting contractual obligations. The specific file may also involve finance, amendments or other outstanding requirements.
Ask the developer to confirm the project’s registration readiness, your account status, any bank requirement, the submitted application reference and expected next action. DLD lists six business days for its completion service; that does not include an assumed period to resolve every outstanding dependency.
Do I pay 4% again?
Do not automatically assume a second 4% on a straightforward completion of a transaction already registered. DLD’s completion page publishes charges for cases where the registration fees have already been collected.
| Published item for that route | Amount |
|---|---|
| Title-deed issuance | AED 250 |
| Unit or villa map | AED 250 |
| Land map | AED 100 or AED 225 depending on the stated category |
| Knowledge and innovation | AED 10 each |
Confirm which items apply, whether previous fees were actually collected and whether a different transaction is also taking place. Developer or professional charges should be separately explained.
The property has handed over. Why do I still only have Oqood?
First ask whether the deed already exists but has not reached you. If it has not been issued, ask what prevents the completion application and who must act. Do not assume every case has the same cause.
- Keep the Oqood, signed SPA and approved amendments.
- Request the current developer statement and clearance position.
- Keep handover correspondence and payment evidence.
- Include bank documentation if finance is involved.
- Ask for the application reference and a written outstanding-items list.
What if I want to rent or sell now?
Tell the relevant authority or registration professional the actual document and stage. A resale while still in the interim register, a sale after final registration and a tenancy registration can involve different checks.
See selling with Oqood or Oqood and Ejari for the questions to settle before promising a completion date to someone else.
Questions people ask
Can I convert Oqood into a title deed by changing the PDF?
No. Final registration and document issuance require the official process. A renamed or edited file does not change the registered status.
Does Oqood expire on the handover date?
Do not infer an automatic expiry or completed conversion from handover alone. Confirm the actual registration status and issued documents.
What if I paid everything but the deed is delayed?
Ask for the completion-application position and exact outstanding requirement. If the dispute remains unresolved, seek DLD guidance and appropriate advice on your contractual rights.