To Whom It May Concern Certificate in Dubai: How to Get a Property Ownership Certificate from DLD

When Is a To Whom It May Concern Certificate Required?

The certificate is required in situations where the applicant must provide official, registry-backed confirmation of property ownership to a third party. The following are the principal use cases.

Banking and finance. UAE banks and financial institutions require proof of property ownership when assessing mortgage applications, evaluating collateral, processing loan facilities, or verifying an applicant's asset base during account opening. The To Whom It May Concern certificate satisfies this requirement as a standard ownership confirmation. However, if the bank requires information on existing mortgages or encumbrances registered against the property, it will typically request a Detailed Real Estate Statement instead.

Court proceedings and legal disputes. In litigation involving property rights — including ownership disputes, inheritance claims under Law No. 7 of 2006, contractual disagreements, or enforcement proceedings — the certificate serves as admissible evidence of ownership. Its evidentiary weight derives directly from the absolute validity of the Property Register under Article 8 of the same law.

Who Can Apply for a To Whom It May Concern Certificate?

The service is available to any individual or entity whose property interest is recorded in the DLD system.

Individual property owners. Any natural person whose name appears on a title deed registered with the DLD may apply. UAE residents must present a valid Emirates ID. Non-residents must present a valid Emirates ID and passport.

Companies and corporate entities. Businesses that own registered property in Dubai — including limited liability companies, individual establishments, and free zone entities — may apply. Corporate applicants must submit the company's trade licence together with an official authorisation letter.

Authorised representatives. Where the property owner cannot attend in person, a representative holding a valid power of attorney attested in accordance with DLD requirements may submit the application on the owner's behalf.

Licensed property managers. Management companies that hold valid DLD-recognised authority over a property may apply for the compliance variant of the certificate.

Application Channels and Step-by-Step Process

The To Whom It May Concern certificate can be obtained through three channels.

Channel 1 — Real Estate Services Trustee Centre

EGSH, as an authorised DLD Real Estate Services Trustee Centre, processes To Whom It May Concern certificate applications directly through the DLD system at standard government fees. The process follows these steps:

Step 1. Visit the EGSH centre. No prior appointment is required, though scheduling a visit in advance is recommended.

Step 2. Present the required identification documents to the EGSH consultant.

Step 3. The consultant enters the application into the DLD system, where the data is audited and approved against the Property Register.

Step 4. Pay the applicable fees by cash, credit card, or ePay.

Step 5. Receive the certificate electronically via email.

The process typically takes approximately 10 minutes from document submission to certificate issuance.

Channel 3 — DLD Call Centre (People of Determination and Senior Citizens)

The DLD provides a dedicated telephone service for People of Determination and senior citizens:

Step 1. Contact the DLD toll-free number 800 4488.

Step 2. People of Determination submit a copy of their determination card and Emirates ID via email. Senior citizens submit their Emirates ID only.

Step 3. The DLD employee processes the application and issues the certificate.

This channel is free of charge for People of Determination. Senior citizens pay AED 70.

Processing Time

Applications are typically processed within 10 minutes of document verification, regardless of whether the application is submitted through a trustee centre or the Dubai REST app.

Delays may occur if the applicant's Emirates ID has expired, if property records require manual verification by the DLD, or during scheduled system maintenance. In such cases, an EGSH consultant can advise on the expected resolution timeline.

Insider Tips

• Match the document to the requirement. Before requesting a certificate, confirm with the receiving party which DLD document they need. Submitting a To Whom It May Concern certificate where a Detailed Real Estate Statement is required — or vice versa — delays the process and may require a second application.

• Use the Dubai REST app when no Trustee Centre visit is planned. The digital channel requires no physical documents, costs AED 70 (compared to approximately AED 123 at a trustee centre), and delivers the certificate electronically within minutes.

• Verify your Emirates ID validity before applying. An expired Emirates ID is the most common reason for application rejection at trustee centres. Ensure your ID is current before visiting EGSH.

• Confirm attestation requirements for international use. If the certificate is intended for submission to a foreign authority, check whether additional attestation through MOFA or the relevant UAE embassy is required. Attestation procedures vary by destination country and intended use.

• Request one certificate per property if individual confirmations are needed. The DLD issues each certificate as a separate letter. If you own multiple properties and the receiving party requires proof for each, specify this at the time of application.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a To Whom It May Concern certificate from DLD?

The To Whom It May Concern certificate is an official document issued by the Dubai Land Department confirming that the applicant owns registered property in Dubai, or that a property management entity meets regulatory compliance requirements. The certificate is based on data from the Property Register maintained under Law No. 7 of 2006 and carries the evidentiary authority of that register.

How much does a To Whom It May Concern certificate cost?

The government fee is AED 50 per letter, plus AED 10 knowledge fee and AED 10 innovation fee — totalling AED 70 through the Dubai REST app or DLD website. Applications processed through a Real Estate Services Trustee Centre such as EGSH incur an additional service partner fee of AED 50 plus 5% VAT, bringing the total to approximately AED 123.

How long does it take to receive the certificate?

Applications are typically processed within 10 minutes of document verification. This applies to both trustee centre and digital applications.

Can I apply for the certificate online?

Yes. The certificate is available through the Dubai REST app and the DLD website. No physical documents are required — the system retrieves property data directly from the Property Register upon identity verification.

What is the difference between an ownership certificate and a compliance certificate?

The ownership certificate confirms that the applicant holds registered property in the DLD system. The compliance certificate confirms that a property management entity has met the regulatory requirements prescribed by the DLD and RERA. The type issued depends on the purpose indicated by the applicant.

Can I get a separate certificate for each property I own?

Yes. Each certificate is issued as a separate letter covering one property. The AED 50 certificate fee applies per letter, in addition to the knowledge and innovation fees.

Is the certificate accepted outside the UAE?

The certificate is accepted by various authorities internationally, subject to the destination country's requirements. Many jurisdictions require additional attestation through MOFA or the relevant UAE embassy before the document is recognised.

Can a company apply for a To Whom It May Concern certificate?

Yes. Corporate applicants must present the company's trade licence and an official authorisation letter. Applications may be submitted through a Real Estate Services Trustee Centre or through the DLD's digital channels.

Official Sources and References

The following official sources were referenced in this article:

• Dubai Land Department (DLD) — The government authority responsible for all real estate registration, documentation, and regulation in the Emirate of Dubai.

• Dubai Legislation Portal — The official repository of Dubai legislation, including Law No. 7 of 2006 Concerning Real Property Registration and Law No. 6 of 2019 Concerning Ownership of Jointly Owned Real Property.

• Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) — The federal authority responsible for visa and residency regulation in the UAE.

• General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) — The Dubai-level authority responsible for residency visa processing.

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFA) — The federal authority responsible for document attestation for international use.

Important Notice

The information in this article is current as of March 2026 and is provided for general guidance purposes. Government fees, document requirements, and processing procedures are subject to change at the discretion of the Dubai Land Department and other relevant authorities. Final approval of any application rests with the responsible government authority.

Applicants are advised to consult an EGSH consultant or verify the latest requirements directly with the DLD before submitting an application. This article does not constitute legal or financial advice.