TThere is no single public database that allows you to check all international police alerts. The appropriate verification method depends on the type of information you want to obtain.
| Verification method | What it may show | Main limitation |
| Public search by name | Red Notices published on the INTERPOL website | Most Red Notices are not public |
| Access request to the CCF | Whether INTERPOL processes personal data concerning the applicant | The response is subject to INTERPOL’s rules and restrictions on disclosure |
| Inquiry with national authorities | Warrants, investigations, or measures recorded in a specific country | Does not necessarily reveal all information held by INTERPOL |
| Coordinated legal review | Status before INTERPOL, national authorities, and possible extradition proceedings | Each jurisdiction must be analyzed separately |
1. Search Public Red Notices by Name
INTERPOL provides a public tool for searching extracts of certain Red Notices. Searches can be performed using criteria such as:
- surname;
- first name;
- nationality;
- sex;
- age;
- country seeking the person;
- keywords.
A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement authorities to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. It is not an international arrest warrant. Each country decides, under its own laws, what effect to give a Red Notice and whether there is a legal basis for taking action against the person.
To reduce the risk of missing results or confusing people with similar names, it is advisable to try:
- the full name;
- alternative spellings;
- former surnames;
- names transliterated from other alphabets;
- the country that may have initiated the proceedings.
A name match alone does not prove that the Red Notice concerns a particular person. The date of birth, nationality, photograph, and other available identifying information should also be compared.
2. Understand What It Means If You Do Not Appear on the Public List
Not appearing on INTERPOL’s public website does not necessarily mean that a person is not recorded in its systems.
Most Red Notices are available only to law enforcement authorities. INTERPOL publishes extracts only in certain cases, for example when the requesting country considers public assistance necessary or where there is a risk to public safety.
In addition, a person may be connected with:
- a non-public Red Notice;
- a diffusion concerning a wanted person;
- another category of INTERPOL notice;
- a national arrest warrant;
- a European Arrest Warrant;
- a bilateral police or judicial cooperation request;
- extradition proceedings that do not use INTERPOL channels.
For this reason, a public name search should only be considered an initial check.
3. Submit an Access Request to the CCF
The Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files is an independent body responsible for ensuring that the processing of personal data through INTERPOL complies with the Organization’s rules.
Any person may request access to data concerning them that may be contained in the INTERPOL Information System. The CCF also examines requests for the correction or deletion of data.
Since March 26, 2026, requests must be submitted through the CCF’s secure online portal. The portal is the mandatory submission channel unless the Commission exceptionally authorizes another method. It also allows applicants to check the status of their case, submit documents, and access communications relating to the request.
An access request is free of charge. However, it must meet the admissibility requirements and contain the documentation necessary to properly identify the applicant.
Can You Search INTERPOL by National ID, ID Card, or Passport Number?
The public Red Notice search tool does not provide a direct search by national ID card, identity document, or passport number. Its public filters are primarily based on name, nationality, age, sex, requesting country, and keywords.
Identity documents are nevertheless important when submitting an access request to the CCF because they help verify the applicant’s identity and distinguish them from people with similar names.
A supposed “INTERPOL search by ID number” offered by a private database should not be confused with official confirmation. A commercial report, internet search, or reputational database check may contain incomplete, outdated information or information derived from sources other than INTERPOL.
What Information to Prepare Before Requesting Access
The specific documentation required depends on the portal instructions and the circumstances of the case. It is generally advisable to have:
- a legible copy of an identity document;
- full name and any former names;
- date and place of birth;
- current and former nationalities;
- alternative spellings or transliterations of the name;
- up-to-date contact details;
- a clear description of the request;
- information about the possible requesting country;
- documents relating to known investigations, warrants, or proceedings;
- valid authorization where a representative is acting on the applicant’s behalf.
The CCF normally handles cases on the basis of written documentation and submissions. It does not hold oral hearings except in exceptional circumstances and may request additional information after receiving an application.
Marking information as confidential may restrict its disclosure to the authorities consulted, but it may also reduce the Commission’s ability to fully examine the case.
Facing an Interpol notice or an extradition request?
Describe your situation — a lawyer will review it and get back to you.
Differences Between a Red Notice, a Diffusion, and an Arrest Warrant
These instruments should not be treated as synonyms.
INTERPOL Red Notice
A Red Notice is a request for international police cooperation. It may be used to locate and provisionally arrest a person wanted by a country or an international tribunal.
It is not an international arrest warrant and does not automatically require every country to arrest the person. National authorities must apply their own domestic law.
INTERPOL Diffusion
A diffusion is information sent directly by a member country to all or selected countries through INTERPOL channels.
Diffusions concerning wanted persons may request the location or arrest of an individual. Unlike Red Notices, they may initially be sent directly to the receiving National Central Bureaus before the General Secretariat has completed its legal review.
Diffusions normally do not appear on the public Red Notice list. Therefore, a public search that returns no results does not exclude the existence of a diffusion.
National Arrest Warrant
A national arrest warrant is issued by a court or another competent authority under the law of a State.
It may exist even where no Red Notice or diffusion has been issued. Likewise, the deletion of data from INTERPOL’s systems does not automatically cancel an arrest warrant, investigation, or national criminal proceeding.
European Arrest Warrant
The European Arrest Warrant is a judicial instrument used between Member States of the European Union. It is separate from a Red Notice and is governed by European Union law and applicable national legislation.
A person may be subject to a European Arrest Warrant even if they do not appear on INTERPOL’s public website.
Can INTERPOL Arrest a Person?
INTERPOL is not a supranational police force and does not carry out arrests itself.
The Organization facilitates the exchange of information between member countries. If an arrest takes place, it is carried out by national authorities under the law of the country where the person is located.
The consequences can vary considerably between jurisdictions. In some countries, a Red Notice may be considered sufficient to initiate provisional arrest. In others, authorities may require a national warrant, a formal extradition request, or another legal basis.
It is therefore incorrect to state that every person subject to a Red Notice will automatically be arrested when crossing a border.
Signs That May Justify Further Checks
The existence of any of the following circumstances does not by itself prove that an INTERPOL alert exists, but it may justify a more detailed review:
- knowledge of criminal proceedings in another country;
- existence of a national arrest warrant;
- an extradition request or request for provisional arrest;
- contact from police or judicial authorities;
- detention or questioning during a border check;
- information received from a lawyer or relatives in the requesting country;
- references to a diffusion or notice in court documents;
- recurring problems related to an international investigation.
Visa refusals, account closures, or results in private databases do not necessarily confirm the existence of an INTERPOL Notice. They may result from national systems, sanctions, immigration controls, commercial databases, or other risk-assessment mechanisms.
What to Do If You Suspect There Is an INTERPOL Alert
Do Not Rely Solely on an Internet Search
The absence of public results does not exclude the existence of unpublished police information. You should also not rely on unofficial websites that claim to provide immediate access to all INTERPOL records.
Identify the Possible Requesting Country
Where possible, it should be established whether there is:
- a criminal investigation;
- a court order;
- a criminal conviction;
- an extradition request;
- proceedings conducted in absentia;
- a national preventive or interim measure.
The domestic situation is important because an application to the CCF does not replace legal defense in the country where the case originated.
Submit a Properly Documented Access Request
An incomplete request may delay the proceedings or be declared inadmissible. The information provided should be accurate, consistent, and supported by legible documents.
The CCF generally issues a decision on an access request within four months from the date on which the request is declared admissible. The period runs from the admissibility date, not necessarily from the date the application form is submitted.
Assess Domestic Risk Separately
The CCF only supervises the processing of data in the INTERPOL Information System. It does not decide whether an extradition is lawful, does not annul national proceedings, and cannot guarantee that a person can travel without risk of arrest.
Where a specific risk exists, it may be necessary to coordinate the assessment with lawyers in the requesting country and in the countries where the person resides or intends to travel.
What to Do If It Is Confirmed That INTERPOL Processes Your Data
The strategy will depend on the content of the data, the country that supplied it, and the circumstances of the criminal proceedings.
Possible measures may include:
- checking whether the information is accurate and up to date;
- analyzing whether it complies with INTERPOL’s Constitution and Rules on the Processing of Data;
- determining whether a valid national arrest warrant exists;
- reviewing whether the case is of a political, military, religious, or racial character;
- assessing compliance with human rights;
- examining whether the data is necessary and proportionate;
- requesting the correction or deletion of non-compliant information;
- coordinating the defense against possible arrest or extradition.
The CCF examines each request individually. Relevant principles include respect for human rights, INTERPOL’s neutrality, data accuracy, proportionality, the purpose of data processing, and non-discrimination.
A request for deletion requires arguments and evidence different from those needed for a simple access request. The CCF generally decides on requests for correction or deletion within nine months from the date on which they are declared admissible.
Deletion of INTERPOL Data Does Not Cancel the National Case
Even if INTERPOL deletes a Red Notice or diffusion, the requesting country may maintain:
- a national arrest warrant;
- a criminal investigation;
- a conviction;
- national restrictions;
- an extradition request transmitted through other channels.
INTERPOL expressly states that the refusal or cancellation of a Notice does not necessarily affect the validity of domestic criminal proceedings or prevent the country from continuing to use cooperation mechanisms outside INTERPOL.
For this reason, review of an INTERPOL case and defense against domestic proceedings should be treated as related but legally distinct matters.
Legal Assistance for Checking INTERPOL Data
Lawyers experienced in INTERPOL matters can help to:
- review publicly available information;
- identify possible Notices, diffusions, or national warrants;
- prepare an access request to the CCF;
- check that the application meets admissibility requirements;
- analyze the response received;
- prepare a request for correction or deletion;
- coordinate strategy with lawyers in the jurisdictions involved;
- distinguish between proceedings before INTERPOL and possible extradition proceedings.
No lawyer can guarantee that the CCF will confirm the existence of data, delete a Notice, or reach a particular decision. The outcome depends on the facts, the available documentation, and the rules applicable to the case.
If you have specific reasons to believe that you may be subject to a Red Notice, diffusion, or international warrant, you may request a confidential assessment of the available documentation before submitting an application to the CCF.
