Central reporting matters

Certificate of eligibility and voting right

In order to stand as a candidate in an election, you must provide evidence that you are eligible to stand when submitting your nomination.

Detailed description

In Hamburg, the Central Registration Office is centrally responsible for certifying the eligibility of candidates for election (certificate of eligibility) and certifying the right to vote on forms to support a nomination.

 

Information

Prerequisites

  • You are eligible to vote in the European elections if you are a German citizen or a citizen of a Member State of the European Union and are at least eighteen years old.
  • You are eligible to vote in the federal election if you have reached the age of eighteen on election day.
  • You are eligible to vote in the state elections if, on election day, you are a German citizen, have reached the age of sixteen and have been living or habitually resident in Hamburg for at least three months.
  • You are eligible to vote in the district assembly election if, on election day, you are a citizen of a member state of the European Union, have reached the age of sixteen and have been resident or habitually resident in Hamburg for at least three months.
  • You are not eligible to stand for election if, as a result of a court ruling, you are not eligible to be elected or to hold public office on election day.

Documents required

  • The certificate of eligibility form is available on the Internet in good time before the respective elections (see link Elections and referendums).
    You can also fill out the form on your computer. Enter your name, date of birth and full address. Print out the form and sign it yourself.
  • You can obtain the voting rights certificate (support signature) form from the party you wish to support.
    The form must be signed personally.
  • if applicable, identity card or foreign identification document

Please note

  • If Hamburg citizens stand for election outside Hamburg, the forms from other federal states or cities must be used to confirm their eligibility.

Deadlines

The certificate of eligibility to stand for election and the certificate of voting rights must be requested before submitting the nominations. The deadlines for nominations are:



  • European elections until 6 p.m. on the 83rd day before the election.

  • Federal election until 69 days before the election, 6 p.m.

  • Citizens' election up to 4 p.m. the 90th day before the election.

  • District assembly elections up to 4 p.m. on the 90th day before the election.

Procedure

  • Your eligibility is recorded in the official register of residents.
  • You can submit the completed form by post or in person to the Hamburg Service - Central Registration Office.
  • The certificates (of eligibility/right to vote) are issued upon presentation of the form.
  • There, your eligibility or right to vote will be confirmed - the form must then be picked up again.

Processing time

The processing time depends on the individual case.

Fees

There are no costs involved.

Payment methods available

  • Girocard
  • Post cash on delivery
  • Cash payment

Legal remedies


  • Complaint

  • Contradiction

Legal basis

Links on hamburg.de

Links on the Internet

Address and contact information

Central reporting matters

Mon 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tue-Wed 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thu 8 a.m. to 4 p.m

The main entrance to Harburger Rathausforum 3 is located at the rear of the building and can be reached via the inner courtyard of the building complex. To get to the inner courtyard, use the entrance on Knoopstrasse. The mailbox is located at Harburger Rathausplatz 1 (town hall). There are no customer parking spaces available.

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Keywords: Suffrage Support signature Support signatures Confirmation of voting rights Certificate of eligibility eligibility Supporting a nomination Support nomination

Last updated: 15.02.2026