Life changes — you get a new passport number, you renew your Emirates ID, or someone joins or leaves the tenancy. When that happens, the tenant details recorded on your Ejari certificate no longer match reality, and that mismatch can quietly cause problems later. If you need to learn how to update tenant details on Ejari, this guide walks you through exactly which changes are possible, where to make them, which documents you need and what the update typically costs.
Getting this right matters because the Ejari record is the official version of your tenancy. Utilities, visa applications and legal disputes all refer back to it, so the names, IDs and contact details on it should reflect your current situation.
Quick Answer
To update tenant details on Ejari, visit the typing centre or service centre that handles Ejari registrations — most tenant-detail updates are done through an authorised centre rather than online. Bring your Emirates ID (or new passport), the Ejari contract number and documents proving the change, such as a renewed Emirates ID, a new passport, or a revised tenancy addendum signed by the landlord. The centre submits the amendment to the Dubai Land Department, and you receive an updated Ejari certificate reflecting the new details.
Which Tenant Details Can Be Updated?
Not every detail on an Ejari certificate can be changed, and the process differs depending on what you are updating. Here are the common cases:
| Change | Usually allowed? | Typical requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Name correction (spelling) | Yes | Emirates ID or passport showing the correct spelling |
| New passport number | Yes | New passport with old passport for cross-reference |
| Renewed Emirates ID number | Yes | New Emirates ID |
| Nationality change | Yes | New passport showing updated nationality |
| Phone number / email | Yes | Simple request at the centre |
| Adding a co-tenant | Yes, with conditions | Landlord’s written consent or contract addendum |
| Removing a tenant | Yes, with conditions | Landlord’s written consent or contract addendum |
| Changing the tenant entirely | No — new contract needed | A new tenancy contract and fresh registration |
A full tenant replacement — for example, when one person moves out and a different person takes over the flat — is not an “update”. That means cancelling the old registration and registering a new one. Our guide to cancelling Ejari explains when cancellation is the right route.
Documents You’ll Need
Requirements can vary slightly between centres, so check before you visit. As a baseline, gather:
- Your Emirates ID (original and a copy) — this is the primary identity proof for any update.
- Your passport — essential if the update concerns your passport number or nationality.
- The Ejari contract number — found on your existing certificate, or on the Dubai Land Department portal after logging in.
- Proof of the change — the renewed Emirates ID, the new passport, a marriage certificate for a name change after marriage, or similar.
- Landlord’s consent — for adding or removing a tenant, a written no-objection letter from the landlord or a signed addendum to the tenancy contract.
- The updated tenancy contract — if the contract itself was amended to reflect the change.
For the complete paperwork picture, see our Ejari documents checklist, which covers registration, renewal and amendments in one place.
Step-by-Step: Updating Tenant Details
- Confirm what needs changing. Pull up your current Ejari certificate and compare it against your present documents. Note exactly which fields are outdated.
- Get landlord consent if needed. Simple personal updates (new passport number, corrected spelling, renewed Emirates ID) usually just need your own ID documents. Adding or removing a tenant needs the landlord’s written agreement — sort this before visiting the centre.
- Visit an authorised Ejari centre. Take the documents above to a typing or real estate service centre. Tell the staff which details need updating; they will open your registered contract in the system.
- Submit the amendment. The centre enters the new details and attaches the supporting documents. Review the entries carefully on screen before they submit — this is the moment to catch typos.
- Pay the amendment fee. Centres charge for amendment services; the fee is typically modest but varies by centre, so ask for the total before they process it.
- Receive the updated certificate. Once processed, you get a new Ejari certificate showing the updated tenant details. Download a fresh PDF from the portal as well and keep it with your records.
Processing is usually quick — many amendments are completed the same day — though timing depends on the centre’s workload. For typical timelines around registrations, see how long Ejari registration takes.
Updating Details vs Correcting an Error vs Modifying the Contract
These three sound similar but cover different situations:
- Updating tenant details: your real-world details changed (new passport, renewed ID, new phone number) and the record needs to catch up. This is what this guide covers.
- Correcting an error: the details were entered wrong at registration — a misspelled name or wrong number that never matched your documents. See how to correct an Ejari error.
- Modifying Ejari details: broader changes to the contract terms, such as rent or payment schedule changes during renewal. See how to modify Ejari details.
If the other party’s details changed instead — for example, the property was sold and there is a new landlord — that is a separate process: how to update landlord details on Ejari.
Common Situations Explained
New passport number
This is the most common update. When you renew your passport, your passport number changes and the old one on the Ejari certificate no longer matches. Bring both the old and new passports to the centre so staff can verify the link between them. Your Emirates ID alone is often enough for the centre to verify you, but having both passports avoids delays.
Renewed Emirates ID
Emirates ID renewals sometimes change the ID number. If that happens, update the Ejari record to match, since the ID number is the key identifier the system uses to find your contracts. If you can’t find your contract after an ID renewal, the record may still be under the old number — the centre can locate it and update it in one visit.
Name change after marriage
If your legal name changed after marriage, update the Ejari certificate to match your new passport and Emirates ID. Bring the marriage certificate as supporting proof along with the updated ID documents. Make sure all your other records — bank, DEWA, visa file — are updated to the same name to avoid contradictions.
Adding a spouse or family member
Some landlords allow a spouse or family member to be added as a co-tenant, which can help with family visa sponsorship and shared utility accounts. You need the landlord’s written consent or a contract addendum naming the additional tenant, plus their Emirates ID and passport. The centre registers the change and issues an updated certificate showing both names.
Removing someone from the tenancy
When a co-tenant moves out, the landlord’s written consent is needed to remove their name from the record. The remaining tenant’s contract continues, and the updated certificate shows only the current tenant. Keep a copy of the landlord’s consent letter with your records.
What If the Landlord Won’t Cooperate?
For personal-detail updates (your own new passport or ID), landlord involvement is usually unnecessary — your identity documents speak for themselves. But for adding or removing a tenant, the landlord’s consent is part of the process, and a landlord can refuse changes they don’t agree with, since the contract is a two-party agreement.
If you are stuck, review your tenancy contract’s terms on amendments and subletting, and check the guidance in our Dubai rental market guide for tenants on tenant rights. For serious disputes, the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre in Dubai handles tenancy conflicts — get advice before taking formal steps.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I update tenant details on Ejari online?
Most tenant-detail amendments are processed through authorised typing or service centres rather than self-service online. You can manage and download certificates through the Dubai Land Department portal and Dubai REST app, but the amendment itself is typically submitted by centre staff. Policies evolve, so it is worth checking the portal — some simple updates may become available online.
How much does it cost to update tenant details?
There is usually a service charge at the centre for processing an amendment. The amount varies between centres, so ask for the fee before they start. Downloading the updated certificate afterwards from the portal is typically free.
How long does the update take?
Simple updates are often completed during the same visit. If supporting documents need verification or the landlord’s consent must be confirmed, it can take a little longer. Bringing complete paperwork on the first visit is the best way to keep it quick.
Do I need the landlord’s permission to update my own passport number?
Generally no. Updates to your own identity documents — new passport number, renewed Emirates ID, corrected spelling — are personal and proven by your own IDs. Landlord consent is needed for changes that alter who is on the contract, like adding or removing a tenant.
What happens if I don’t update my details?
Outdated details can cause friction: utility transfers may be questioned, visa applications can hit delays when documents don’t match, and in a dispute the official record won’t reflect reality. None of these are automatic fines, but they are avoidable headaches — update the record soon after any change.
Will updating details change my Ejari contract number?
Usually not. An amendment updates the details on the existing registration; the contract number stays the same and you receive an updated certificate. A brand-new registration (needed for a full tenant change) gets a new number.
Can I update details on an expired contract?
Amendments are normally made on active registrations. If your contract has expired, renew it first — an expired Ejari brings its own set of problems — and then make any needed updates, or combine the renewal and the update in one visit.
The Bottom Line
Updating tenant details on Ejari is a short, practical task: gather your current Emirates ID and passport plus proof of the change, get landlord consent if the change affects who is on the contract, and visit an authorised centre to submit the amendment. The updated certificate keeps your official tenancy record aligned with your real identity — which is exactly what utilities, immigration and banks check when they ask for it. Do it promptly after any change and you avoid the mismatches that cause the most annoying delays.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Paxi, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Paxi is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.