INTERPOL is not a supranational police force, and its officials cannot travel to another country and independently arrest someone. Instead, the organization facilitates cooperation among law-enforcement authorities in its 196 member countries, operates international police databases, and circulates information concerning wanted persons.
This does not mean, however, that someone connected to an INTERPOL alert cannot be arrested. An INTERPOL Red Notice or Diffusion may result in national authorities locating a person and, where domestic law permits, taking provisional arrest measures.
The key distinction is therefore between INTERPOL circulating the information and national authorities exercising the power of arrest.
Can INTERPOL directly arrest someone?
No. INTERPOL does not have an international police force with general arrest powers.
Its role is primarily to connect national law-enforcement authorities, facilitate information exchange and provide international police-cooperation tools. Lawyers handling INTERPOL cases therefore distinguish between an INTERPOL alert and the legal authority required for an actual arrest.
When an arrest occurs, it is carried out under the law of the country where the individual is located.
Each INTERPOL member country determines the legal value it gives a Red Notice and the circumstances in which its own authorities can make an arrest.
Is a Red Notice an international arrest warrant?
No. A Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant.
It is a request to law-enforcement authorities worldwide to locate a wanted person and, where permitted by national law, provisionally arrest that person pending extradition, surrender or similar legal action.
Member countries can also distribute information through an INTERPOL Diffusion. Depending on the case, a Diffusion may be sent to selected countries rather than circulated in exactly the same way as a Red Notice.
Whether either measure results in arrest depends on domestic legislation, applicable treaties, the underlying national warrant and the circumstances of the case.
Can you be arrested at an airport or border?
Yes. Airports and international borders are particularly important because immigration, border and police authorities routinely verify identities and travel documents against national and international systems.
A person connected with an international alert may therefore face an increased risk of secondary inspection, questioning or detention while travelling. Our guide to whether airports check for warrants on international flights explains the distinction in more detail.
An INTERPOL record does not automatically result in arrest. Authorities may first verify the match, examine the underlying warrant and contact the requesting country.
The position can also be different where an enforceable domestic arrest warrant exists independently of INTERPOL. See also whether you can fly with a warrant.
Can INTERPOL make arrests in the United States?
INTERPOL itself cannot arrest anyone in the United States.
The United States also does not regard a foreign Red Notice alone as sufficient legal grounds for an arrest. U.S. constitutional and statutory requirements for arrest must still be satisfied.
Nevertheless, a Red Notice can be transmitted to U.S. authorities and may lead to additional checks or further action if the requesting country subsequently submits a legally sufficient provisional-arrest or extradition request.
This is why the existence of an INTERPOL alert and the existence of an enforceable arrest warrant should be assessed separately.
Does arrest automatically mean extradition?
No. Provisional arrest and extradition are separate legal stages.
Even if someone is detained following an international wanted-person alert, extradition must normally proceed under the law of the requested state. Courts or other competent authorities may have to assess issues such as treaty requirements, extraditable offences, dual criminality, limitation periods and human-rights concerns.
An INTERPOL alert therefore does not itself constitute an extradition decision.
How can you find out whether INTERPOL is looking for you?
Searching INTERPOL’s public website is not conclusive.
Most Red Notices are restricted to law-enforcement use and do not appear in the public search database. Consequently, failing to find your name online does not establish that no INTERPOL data exist.
There are several ways to check whether you are wanted by INTERPOL, including applying to the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files, or CCF.
Can an INTERPOL Red Notice be challenged?
Yes. Individuals have the right to seek access to data concerning them in INTERPOL’s files and, where appropriate, request correction or deletion.
If the information is inaccurate, politically motivated or otherwise incompatible with INTERPOL’s rules, it may be possible to seek Red Notice removal.
As of 26 March 2026, CCF requests must be submitted through the Commission’s dedicated secure online portal.
Challenges can involve INTERPOL’s data-processing rules, procedural deficiencies, human-rights concerns or Article 3 of INTERPOL’s Constitution, which restricts the organization from engaging in activities of a political, military, religious or racial character.
Conclusion
INTERPOL does not independently arrest people anywhere in the world. Arrest powers remain with national authorities.
Nevertheless, a Red Notice, Diffusion or other INTERPOL record can create a significant risk of identification and detention, particularly during international travel.
Anyone concerned about an international alert should distinguish between the INTERPOL record, any underlying national warrant and a potential extradition request. These are related but legally separate issues.
