A broker check should produce a traceable identity match, not simply a screenshot of a card. Start with the person's full name, the firm's exact legal name, the stated professional role and the identifiers supplied for verification.
This guide explains how to organise official checks. It does not verify a named agent, certify licence status or provide legal advice. For the separate decision about service quality and appointment terms, use how to choose a broker.
Establish the property and relevant authority
Ask which authority and registration process apply to the proposed property and activity. ADGM's real estate services cover Al Maryah and Al Reem. An address described only as Abu Dhabi is not enough to assume one universal professional or property workflow.
Keep the property identifier beside the professional check. An apparently valid credential does not establish that the person is authorised to offer the particular home you are discussing.
Gather identifiers, not unnecessary private records
Request the name used in the official professional record, profession or role, licence number where applicable and the firm's legal name. Note who supplied the information and when.
Do not circulate identity documents or client financial information in public folders. If a receiving authority requires a document, use its verified channel and requirements. This guide does not prescribe a universal document pack or certify that a photograph of a card is sufficient.
Use the official directory for the question it answers
The ADREC directory has separate Projects and Professions sections. The Professions interface provides a name search, profession selector and licence number field. Select the appropriate section rather than interpreting a project search as a professional search.
Enter the supplied identifiers and examine the actual returned record. Record the date, matching fields and any status the service explicitly displays. Do not add labels such as paid, unblocked or renewed unless the result actually establishes them.
This review inspected the public interface, not an individual agent's returned result. A visible zero or empty result before a completed search is not evidence that no professionals are registered.
Resolve an incomplete match
| Observation | Next check | What not to conclude |
|---|---|---|
| Similar name, different identifier | Confirm the exact identifier with the issuing authority | That a similar name proves identity |
| Firm name differs | Ask how the person and firm are connected and verify that explanation | That a business card settles the relationship |
| No clear result | Recheck the section and identifiers, then contact the authority | That the person is necessarily unlicensed |
| Old document | Request the current applicable evidence | That an old copy proves today's status |
| Conflicting information | Record both versions and ask the responsible authority to resolve them | That either version can safely be ignored |
Pause reliance on an unresolved credential while seeking clarification. A discrepancy warrants investigation; it is not, by itself, a finding of fraud.
Keep document verification separate
ADREC's Verify Document service offers routes for tenancy contracts, certificates and Madhmoun permits. Its certificate form asks for a certificate type, issuance date and number. Use the route appropriate to the actual document.
Do not describe this as a tool that authenticates every licence PDF merely because a certificate option exists. Follow the supported category and interpret only the returned result. A document authenticity check is not a complete assessment of seller authority, contractual rights, property condition or payment arrangements.
Record the firm and the specific instruction
Ask which entity will appear in the appointment, invoice and correspondence. Resolve differences between a trading name and the legal contracting name through the relevant official records or responsible authority.
For a particular listing, ask what evidence supports the proposed marketing instruction and any permit applicable to it. Keep that inquiry separate from the individual's professional identity. Neither should be replaced by a promise that the other has already been checked.
Before sending money, verify the intended recipient and payment instructions independently through an established channel. This article does not prescribe a universal deposit holder or claim that a corporate bank account alone establishes protection.
Finish with an evidence summary
Keep a short file showing the supplied identifiers, official route used, actual result, check date and unresolved questions. Recheck material changes before relying on the earlier file for a different firm, person or property.
If the relevant authority cannot resolve the record, do not report the check as passed. Obtain qualified advice on the next step. Once identity questions are resolved, assess the broker's proposed service separately.
Correction, 1 October 2026: unsupported universal licensing dates, application costs, card validity periods and claims about automatic verification outcomes have been removed. No individual professional was searched or certified for this article.