How to check a broker or agency licence in the UAE

Before you join an agency, or before a client trusts you, a licence check takes a few minutes. Each emirate has its own regulator, and only Dubai and Abu Dhabi offer a public online search. For the other emirates, you have to ask to see documents and confirm with the authority.

The short version

1. Dubai: search the DLD’s licensed brokers list, or use the Dubai REST app.
2. Abu Dhabi: search the ADREC Directory, and check listing permits on ADREC’s “Verify Document” page.
3. Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah: no public broker search that we could find. Ask for the card and the office registration, then confirm with the authority.

Dubai

The Dubai Land Department (DLD) publishes a licensed real estate brokers list on its website. You can search by broker name, office name, mobile number, area or ORN, and filter by sale, lease or mortgage brokers. The DLD also has a verify licences and permits service for the e-copies it issues, available on the website and in the Dubai REST app. For the details of ORN and BRN numbers, read How to check an ORN or a BRN.

Abu Dhabi

The ADREC Directory has a “Professions” tab. Choose Broker, then filter by Company or Individual, or search by professional licence number. The same directory lists accredited training institutes.

ADREC’s Verify Document page lets anyone check a Madhmoun permit number, as well as tenancy contracts and certificates. Every advertised property in Abu Dhabi needs a Madhmoun permit, so if the number on an advert does not verify, stop there.

Sharjah

SRERD issues broker and agent cards to staff of registered offices. We did not find a public broker search. Ask to see the broker’s card and the office’s real estate licence, then contact SRERD if anything looks wrong.

Ras Al Khaimah

RAK Municipality’s real estate regulator registers brokerage firms and issues office registration certificates, renewed every year. We did not find a public broker search. Ask the office for its current RAK registration certificate and check the dates.

Ajman

The Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation issues a practice card, valid for one year, to staff of registered offices. It is sent by email. We did not find a public search, so ask to see the card and its expiry date, and the office’s registration certificate. Ajman’s government helpline is 80070.

Umm Al Quwain

The Department of Land and Property issues realtor cards to agents and managers of licensed offices. We did not find a public search. Ask for the card and the office’s real estate trade licence.

Fujairah

Fujairah Municipality does not publish a broker card service or a broker search. Ask for the office’s trade licence and confirm with the municipality.

Red flags everywhere

• The broker cannot show a card, or the card has expired.
• The agency name on the card does not match the agency you are dealing with.
• An advert has no permit number, or the number does not verify.
• Someone asks you to pay a deposit into a personal account.

CloserPass is not affiliated with any of these authorities. This guide was checked on the date shown above. Always rely on the official authority for the final answer.

Compare the rules across the 7 emirates.