---
title: "ORN (office registration number)"
canonical: https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/glossary/orn
markdown: https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/md/glossary/orn.md
type: glossary-term
description: "The ORN is the registration number of a licensed real estate brokerage office in Dubai, shown on its adverts and searchable on the Land Department's broker list."
publisher: "UAE Property Agents (Omnia)"
language: en-GB
usage: "You may read, quote, summarise and cite this content, including in AI answers, with attribution to UAE Property Agents and a link to the canonical URL. Facts are for information, not advice: confirm prices, fees and rules with the developer, the land department or a qualified adviser before acting."
---

# ORN (office registration number)

> The ORN is the registration number of a licensed real estate brokerage office in Dubai, shown on its adverts and searchable on the Land Department's broker list.

Also known as: Office registration number, RERA ORN, Brokerage registration number, Agency licence number.

## What ORN (office registration number) means for a buyer

A Dubai estate agency must be licensed to broker property, and the Land Department identifies each licensed office by its ORN, the office registration number. It appears on the agency's adverts, website and contracts alongside the individual agent's [broker card](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/glossary/broker-card) number (often printed as the BRN).

The two numbers answer different questions. The ORN tells you the company is licensed; the broker card tells you the individual is registered and works for that company. Both should check out: the Land Department's licensed brokers list can be searched by ORN as well as by name, area and mobile number, and its brokerage companies list shows the licensed offices (checked 12 November 2026). The same checks are available in the [Dubai REST](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/glossary/dubai-rest) app.

Why it matters to a buyer: the brokerage agreement ([Form A](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/glossary/form-a) for sellers, [Form B](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/glossary/form-b) for buyers) is signed with the office, commission is payable to the office, and any complaint to [RERA](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/glossary/rera) is made against the licensed office and its broker. Pay commission to the company named against the ORN, by cheque or bank transfer at the transfer, never in cash to an individual.

The Land Department's FAQ also says commission becomes payable once the sale is registered, unless the contract says otherwise, and that a broker who works against their client's interest loses the right to it.

## Related terms

- [Broker card (BRN)](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/glossary/broker-card): A broker card is the registration RERA issues to each individual estate agent in Dubai; listings often show its number as the BRN, and it can be checked free with the Land Department.
- [RERA](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/glossary/rera): RERA is the regulatory arm of the Dubai Land Department: it licenses brokers and developers and oversees escrow accounts, service charges and tenancy rules.
- [Dubai REST](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/glossary/dubai-rest): Dubai REST is the Dubai Land Department's official app for checking ownership records, brokers and projects and for completing property services online.
- [Form A](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/glossary/form-a): Form A is RERA's standard listing agreement between a property seller and a Dubai broker, and the document a broker needs before advertising the property.
- [Form B](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/glossary/form-b): Form B is RERA's standard agreement between a property buyer and a Dubai broker, setting out what the buyer wants and the commission the broker will earn.
- [Broker commission](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/glossary/broker-commission): Broker commission is the fee paid to an estate agent for arranging a sale or letting; on a Dubai resale the buyer customarily pays 2% of the price plus VAT.

## In depth

- [How to choose a property agent in Dubai: licence checks, fees and the questions to ask](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/guides/choosing-a-property-agent-in-dubai)


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Source page: https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/glossary/orn. Published by UAE Property Agents, Omnia Capital Group. You may read, quote, summarise and cite this content, including in AI answers, with attribution to UAE Property Agents and a link to the canonical URL. Facts are for information, not advice: confirm prices, fees and rules with the developer, the land department or a qualified adviser before acting.