Many Balady services require an updated electronic deed from the Ministry of Justice, such as the building permit and the land merging and subdivision service. If your deed is an old paper one, the first step in any project is updating the deed, or the journey stops before it starts. The update is not just entering the deed's data in the system; it requires a survey decision or property ID, and correct, matching plot data. This guide explains the benefit of updating, the service conditions, what to do if the plot data is incorrect, the engineering office's role, and the correct order of steps.
What Is the Benefit of Updating?
According to the Ministry of Justice, the deed update service aims to convert the old paper deed to an electronic one, enabling beneficiaries to carry out real estate operations such as sale, mortgage and inquiry without visiting notaries. In practice, the electronic deed opens the way to:
- The building permit. Read: Building permit steps on Balady.
- Merging and subdivision. Read: Land subdivision.
- Sale, mortgage and financing.
Service Conditions
Among the conditions of the Ministry of Justice service "submit a request to update or amend a property deed":
- Attaching a copy of the deed, front and back, and copies of supporting files if any.
- The deed must be valid and not previously registered.
- The data entered must reflect what is on the deed.
- The property data (city, district, plot number and plan number) must be correct and match the deed or the letter issued by the competent authority.
- A survey decision or property ID.
The Correct Order of Steps
- Surveying the property and comparing it with the deed.
- Resolving any difference in area or location. Read: Deed area differs.
- Issuing the survey decision via Balady. Read: Survey, survey decision and survey report.
- Submitting the update request to the Ministry of Justice with the attachments.
- Using the electronic deed in the required transaction.
If the Plot Data Is Incorrect
The ministry explains that the competent authority, such as the municipality, must be approached to obtain a letter of statement and record it with the judicial authority, then the request is submitted with all documents. Read: Property in the wrong location?.
The Engineering Office's Role
Issuing the survey decision via Balady, resolving area or location differences before applying, and preparing the data so that it matches the deed. Also read: Linking the deed and the spatial map.
The service channel may change as systems are updated, so always enter through the service link on the Ministry of Justice website.
Common Mistakes
- Starting design or contracting before confirming the deed is electronic and updated.
- Entering data that does not match the deed exactly.
- Applying without a survey decision or property ID.
- Ignoring a difference in the plot or plan number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Must the original paper deed be handed in?
The service asks for a copy of the deed, front and back.
Can a lost deed be updated?
The service allows applying to update a manual or lost deed, according to its description.
Do I need a new survey decision?
The service requires a survey decision or property ID; if neither is available, a decision must be issued.
Does the deed number change?
A new electronic deed is issued in place of the paper deed.
How long does the update take?
It depends on the completeness of the data and documents; a complete, matching request is faster.
How Abak Engineering Consultancy Helps
Abak is an accredited engineering office classified for surveying that surveys your property and matches it with the deed, issues the required survey decision, resolves area or location differences, and guides you in submitting the update request. See our deed update and amendment service, or contact us.
Regulatory information is based on the Balady platform and the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, and procedures may be updated by the competent authority. Last reviewed: October 2026.