How is an Interpol Blue Notice issued?
An Interpol Blue Notice is a request to collect information about a person’s identity, location, or activities in relation to a criminal investigation. Unlike a Red Notice, it is not a request for arrest — but it can precede one and still restrict travel and banking. It can be challenged before the CCF.
How to challenge an Interpol notice →
The CCF is an independent body of Interpol, whose main purpose is to oversee the processing of personal data. It acts as a kind of arbitrator, ensuring the rights of individuals about whom Interpol holds information are respected. The CCF can make decisions on whether to retain, amend, or delete blue notices.
The Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files is responsible for receiving requests for notices from the National Central Bureaus of Interpol member states. The CCF also checks blue notices to ensure they fully comply with legal requirements. Only after this are the requests entered into Interpol’s database.
First off, Interpol doesn’t accept any requests that have a military, religious, political, or racial bias. Secondly, Interpol’s notices can’t violate human rights. That’s what Article 2 of the Constitution says. The last mandatory requirement is that the notice must contain enough information about the person under suspicion or being sought after.
Let’s take a closer look at the procedure for issuing an Interpol Blue Notice:
- Engaging an organization. The process of issuing a blue notice begins at the initiative of national law enforcement agencies working on a specific criminal investigation. Typically, agencies such as the police, customs, or immigration services identify a need to gather additional information about an individual that may be important for the investigation. To do this, they reach out to the Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB), which is located in each member country.
- Submitting a Request. Law enforcement agencies submit a request to the INTERPOL National Central Bureau for the issuance of a Blue Notice. The request must clearly state the purpose of the notice, as well as provide all necessary information about the individual in question (name, photographs, fingerprints, last known location, and other identifying details).
- Compliance Check. For a blue notice request to be accepted by Interpol, it must meet certain criteria. Specifically, the notice must pertain to an individual who is significant to an investigation. It’s crucial that the request is justified and based on factual information. Interpol reviews the request to ensure it complies with international law requirements and does not violate Interpol’s principles, particularly the principle of political neutrality.
- Issuing a blue notice. After reviewing the request, Interpol issues a blue notice, which is distributed to all member countries through a specialized system. This message becomes available to law enforcement agencies, which can assist in gathering the necessary information.
After issuing a blue notice, law enforcement agencies of the member countries begin gathering information, which will later be forwarded to Interpol. The data collected can be used for further investigation.
Comparing Interpol’s Red Notice and Blue Notice
A Red Notice and a Blue Notice have different purposes.
A Red Notice is used to seek the location and provisional arrest of a person wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence. It is usually connected to extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. INTERPOL makes clear that even a Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant, and each country decides what legal value to give it under national law.
A Blue Notice is different. It is used to collect additional information about a person’s identity, location, or activities in connection with a criminal investigation. It does not ask member countries to arrest the person.
The main difference is therefore simple: a Red Notice is connected with locating and provisionally arresting a wanted person; a Blue Notice is used to gather information.
However, a Blue Notice can still matter. It may lead to increased police attention, border checks, surveillance, or further information being shared with the requesting country. In some cases, the information gathered through a Blue Notice may later support a Red Notice, extradition request, or national criminal proceeding.
If you need advice about an Interpol Blue Notice, our law firm can assess the risks, review whether the notice complies with INTERPOL’s rules, and advise whether a CCF request should be prepared.
Is it possible to remove an Interpol Blue Notice?
As mentioned before, an Interpol Blue Notice doesn’t automatically lead to an arrest. However, individuals under suspicion might find themselves under unwanted surveillance or monitoring. This raises the question: Is it possible to remove an Interpol Blue Notice?
First off, you need to accurately determine if a blue notice has been issued in your name. Qualified and experienced Interpol lawyers can do this by submitting a request for information to the relevant authorities.
After receiving a positive response, it’s crucial to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the specific situation, assess the legality and justification of the notification. After gathering all necessary evidence and documents to prove your innocence or the illegitimacy of the notification, lawyers will prepare an official request to the Interpol Files Control Commission.
Let’s look at the most common legal avenues for appealing or removing a blue notice:
- Request to the CCF. The Interpol Files Control Commission reviews requests for the deletion and appeal of notices. An individual against whom a blue notice has been issued can submit a request to the CCF arguing that this notice is unlawful, violates their rights, or is unjustified.
- Contesting the grounds for issuance. To successfully remove a blue notice, it’s necessary to provide clear evidence that the notice was issued in violation of Interpol’s rules or international law. If the notice was issued based on information that turned out to be false or unreliable, this could also be grounds for its removal.
Consulting with an experienced attorney on Interpol matters is a crucial step for successfully removing a blue notice. An attorney can help gather the necessary evidence, prepare a well-founded request to the CCF, and defend your rights during the case review. Additionally, a legal expert can offer advice on potential risks and consequences associated with challenging a blue notice.
How can our Interpol lawyers help you?
Our lawyers assist clients with Blue Notices and other INTERPOL-related issues. We can help determine whether INTERPOL may be processing data about you, assess the risks, and explain what legal steps are available.
We assist with:
- checking whether a Blue Notice or other INTERPOL alert may exist;
- preparing CCF requests for access to data;
- reviewing whether the notice complies with INTERPOL’s rules;
- challenging inaccurate, abusive, or unlawful data;
- collecting supporting documents and evidence;
- responding to risks connected with travel, border checks, banking, immigration, or reputation;
- coordinating with lawyers in the requesting country where needed.
We do not treat a Blue Notice as a minor issue simply because it is not a Red Notice. In some cases, it can be the first sign of a wider criminal investigation or future extradition risk.
If you believe that an Interpol Blue Notice may have been issued in your name, contact our Interpol lawyers for a confidential consultation. We will review your situation, explain the risks, and help protect your rights before the matter escalates.
