International procedures
Red Notice
An international wanted-person request for arrest pending extradition — grounds, consequences and how to challenge it.
Definition
A Red Notice is an Interpol request to locate a person with a view to their arrest and subsequent extradition. It is not an international arrest warrant: each country decides on detention independently under its own law.
A notice is published at the request of the initiating country if it complies with Interpol's constitution, including the prohibition on cases of a political, military, religious or racial character.
Legal basis
- Interpol's Constitution (notably Article 3 — prohibition of intervention in matters of a political character)
- Interpol's Rules on the Processing of Data (RPD)
- National law of the country considering the detention
Stages
- 1
Initiation
A country sends a request to Interpol's General Secretariat.
- 2
Review
The Secretariat assesses compliance with the rules and publishes the notice.
- 3
Dissemination
The information becomes available to member countries' police.
- 4
Challenge
The person may file a CCF request to delete or correct the data.
Required documents
- Copy of passport and proof of identity
- Materials rebutting the grounds (if available)
- Evidence of political or other impermissible motivation
- Status documents (asylum, residence permit, court decisions)
Appeal options
- Request to the Commission for the Control of Files (CCF) to delete or correct data
- A repeat application if new circumstances arise
Common mistakes & risks
- Travelling abroad without checking your status
- Filing a CCF request without evidence and reasoning
- Ignoring the underlying criminal case in the initiating country
Frequently asked questions
Is a Red Notice an arrest?
No. It is a request to locate a person. The decision to detain is made by the specific country under its own law.
Can it be challenged?
Yes, through a reasoned CCF request. If the data breaches Interpol's rules, it may be deleted.
Is a notice publicly visible?
Some notices are published on Interpol's website, but many remain non-public.