Look up a company by number

    Trade Licence number search (United Arab Emirates)

    Source-cited registry guidance — access and document fees vary by source.

    Search Company Records in United Arab Emirates

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    Reviewed by LemReveal Research TeamContent reviewed June 2026Primary source: DED / Free Zone Authorities

    How do I look up a company by its registration number in United Arab Emirates?

    Use the exact Trade Licence with its issuing jurisdiction or register on DED / Free Zone Authorities. Compare the returned legal name and identifier. A valid-looking number does not guarantee a result: coverage, formatting, access and source availability affect the lookup.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Find the Trade Licence on the paperwork

      The Trade Licence normally appears on invoices, contracts, the website footer or official correspondence. It is the number counterparties are required to quote.

    2. 2

      Search the Trade Licence

      Preserve leading zeros, letters, court and jurisdiction information. Follow the source's documented format rather than removing meaningful parts to force a match.

    3. 3

      Confirm the returned entity

      Check the legal name on the returned record matches the name on your paperwork. A mismatch between quoted number and quoted name is a serious warning sign.

    4. 4

      Verify at DED / Free Zone Authorities

      For anything contractual, confirm the number against the primary source at https://www.dubaided.gov.ae.

      https://www.dubaided.gov.ae
    Open DED / Free Zone AuthoritiesAll United Arab Emirates records

    United Arab Emirates: choosing and checking the right record

    Choose the correct source
    Identify the licensing authority, emirate and whether the business is mainland or in a free zone. Use the corresponding official licence or register search rather than assuming one portal covers every UAE entity.
    Confirm the entity
    Record the licence or registration number together with its issuing authority. Compare the legal name and licensed activity; a brand and the licensed contracting entity may differ.

    Check current access and document options on the official DED / Free Zone Authorities site. For search limitations and missing-result guidance, see the United Arab Emirates registry guide.

    Frequently asked questions

    What is a Trade Licence in United Arab Emirates?

    It is the identifier DED / Free Zone Authorities assigns to a registered entity. It stays with the entity even if the trading name changes, which makes it the reliable way to track a company over time.

    Is a Trade Licence lookup free?

    LemReveal's basic lookup is free where supported. Check DED / Free Zone Authorities's official access rules for the record or document required.

    What if the Trade Licence returns no result?

    Check the format, issuing jurisdiction, coverage and source availability. Preserve meaningful prefixes and leading zeros. An unavailable source is not a confirmed absence; ask the counterparty to clarify the identifier.

    Should I use the Trade Licence or the company name?

    The Trade Licence. Names are duplicated across entities within a group; the number is unique to one entity.

    What is the difference between mainland and free zone?

    Mainland companies (registered with DED) can trade freely within the UAE and need a local sponsor/partner (51% ownership rule relaxed in 2021 for most sectors). Free zone companies have 100% foreign ownership, tax benefits, and simplified setup, but traditionally can only trade within the free zone or internationally.

    People also ask about look up a company by its registration number in United Arab Emirates

    The exact questions searchers type into Google — answered from the primary source.

    Is the United Arab Emirates company register free to search?

    Yes. Basic company lookups on the DED / Free Zone Authorities are free — you can search by company name or registration number, view legal status, registered address and (usually) directors at no cost. Some jurisdictions charge a small fee only for downloading full filed documents.

    What is the official United Arab Emirates business registry?

    The DED / Free Zone Authorities is the official public register of companies incorporated in United Arab Emirates. It is operated by the government and is the primary source cited on this page — https://www.dubaided.gov.ae.

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