The short answer
Begin with the original certificate and compare its parties and property details with the SPA. Then use the official service appropriate to that document or application. A matching PDF is a document check; an official response is separate evidence. A failed lookup does not, on its own, establish fraud or non-registration.
Three checks that answer different questions
| Check | What it can establish | What it does not establish |
|---|---|---|
| Document comparison | Whether the supplied certificate, SPA and amendments agree. | That the copy is authentic or the current register is unchanged. |
| Official registration or application enquiry | The response available for the supplied reference through the relevant DLD channel. | Every restriction, liability or contractual issue. |
| Public project enquiry | Project identity, published status and available development information. | The buyer-specific registration of your unit. |
Keep the source and date beside each result. The word “verified” is only useful when the report explains exactly what was checked.
Choose the right official route
If the question is whether an application submitted by a developer has progressed, start with DLD Real Estate Services Inquiry. If you need owner-specific records, use authenticated DLD owner services or ask DLD which enquiry applies to the certificate you hold.
For a final title deed, DLD provides Verify Title Deed. The public form reviewed for this guide asks for title-deed number, year and property type, with an owner-and-property option. We have not verified a universal Oqood-number mode in that form. Do not put an unrelated SPA or provisional number into a final-deed field and treat the response as conclusive.
If your issued document includes a validation link or code, confirm that its destination belongs to the issuing authority before using it. An image of an official logo is not authentication.
A practical comparison checklist
- Get the full original electronic file, not only a cropped image.
- Compare the buyer names and ownership information actually shown.
- Match project, building, unit and property references with the SPA and amendments.
- Distinguish contract, application and registration numbers.
- Check dates and whether there is a later issued version.
- Ask for written clarification where marketing names or unit labels differ.
The certificate field guide explains how to organise those references.
What should I do when no record is found?
| Possible issue to investigate | Next question |
|---|---|
| Wrong document or enquiry type | Does this service accept the specific certificate I hold? |
| Incorrect number or year | Which exact field and format should be entered? |
| Owner-profile mismatch | Does DLD need to update the identity or property link? |
| Application still pending | What is the reference and current outstanding requirement? |
| Unexplained absence | Can the developer provide official issuance evidence, and can DLD confirm the position? |
These are investigation paths, not a diagnosis. Save the result and input details without exposing personal information publicly. Obtain confirmation before relying on either a reassuring explanation or an allegation of fraud.
How to ask for an authoritative answer
A question you can use
Please confirm whether the attached document corresponds to the registration for [project / unit / buyer]. I used [service] with [reference and year] and received [result] on [date]. Please identify the correct enquiry route and any required correction.
For a transaction about to proceed, ask the responsible registration professional what further current checks and permissions are needed.
Questions people ask
Is a screenshot proof that my Oqood is valid?
It may be evidence of what someone saw, but retain the official source, exact reference, date and result. A screenshot by itself does not explain the scope of the check.
Can Cendale guarantee that a certificate is genuine from a PDF?
No. A document review must identify its limits. Official confirmation, when obtained, should be reported with its actual source and scope.
Should I edit a wrong name in the PDF?
No. Keep the original and use the formal correction route. Editing the copy does not amend the official register.