Request for access

Facing an international arrest warrant or any other notice issued by INTERPOL can be a daunting experience. While INTERPOL’s constitution mandates a strict procedure for issuing and deleting notices, effectively challenging them requires a thorough understanding of the process and solid information. Simply checking INTERPOL’s “Most Wanted List” on their website is not enough to alleviate all concerns.

If you suspect that an INTERPOL notice may have been issued against you, seeking the expertise of an international criminal lawyer is crucial. At Interpol Law Firm – Collegium of International Lawyers, our legal experts are dedicated to helping you navigate these complexities, check your status, and obtain further information on outstanding warrants in INTERPOL’s database.

This article explains the procedure we use to check for outstanding warranties from Interpol, how to submit a request for information, and the corresponding rules.

What is a Request for Access to Information from Interpol?

Being subjected to an international arrest warrant or any other notice issued by INTERPOL can be a daunting experience. Although INTERPOL’s constitution enforces strict procedures for issuing and deleting notices, challenging them effectively requires well-grounded prior information. Simply checking INTERPOL’s “Most Wanted List” online may not suffice to alleviate your concerns.

Who can Request Access to Information from Interpol?

If you are worried about being listed in an INTERPOL notice, it is crucial to seek legal assistance from an international criminal lawyer. Legal experts at the Interpol Law Firm – Collegium of International Lawyers can assist you in navigating this complex process. Our team can help you request information from INTERPOL’s database and provide insights into any outstanding warrants.

How long does it take to get a response from Interpol?

Here’s a detailed explanation of our approach to checking for outstanding warrants and submitting a request for information from INTERPOL:

Time taken to recognize the admissibility of the request

According to Article 32 of the Statute, the Requests Chamber shall examine the admissibility of each request and inform the applicant, at the earliest opportunity and no later than one month from its receipt by the Commission, whether the request is admissible.

Time to receive a main response

CCF shall generally decide on a request within two months for access requests and nine months for requests for deletion and/or correction of data, starting from the date on which requests were declared admissible.

Note to clients*

The deadlines mentioned in this article are usually not obeyed by the Commission, so the general timeframe for receiving letters from the Commission may be longer.

How to Request Information from Interpol?

The process to request access to information is detailed and requires submitting an application to the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files (CCF). The request must include personal identification documents and a thorough explanation for the request. After submission, the CCF will review the request for compliance with Interpol’s rules and issue a decision, which typically takes a few months.

The Commission analyses and handles requests only based on the information provided through written arguments and documents submitted. However, it conducts oral hearings only in rare situations.

Before submitting an application to the Commission, the applicant must verify that their request is in compliance with the Commission’s role as outlined in the Commission’s Statute, fulfills the admissibility requirements specified by the Interpol’s Rules, and includes all needed documents.

The request can be sent in two ways:

• You can send a letter to the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files at 200 Quai Charles de Gaulle, 69006 Lyon, France.
• Alternatively, you may contact us using the e-mail address shown on the application forms (see below).

Requirements for submitting a requesting information provided

The requirements for requesting information from Interpol are as follows:

• The request is made according to the form on the Interpol website

• The request must be made in one of Interpol’s working languages (English: French, Spanish, Arabic)

• The request must be accompanied by a document confirming the identity of the applicant (passport, driving license, etc.)

• If the application is submitted by a representative, it must be accompanied by a power of attorney.
• It is essential to indicate in the application the country or countries which you believe have entered your data in the Interpol information system.

Request for Access to Information: Applicable Procedure

Upon receipt of an admissible request for accessing the data processed in the INTERPOL Information System (IIS), the Commission first checks whether any data concerning the applicant are being processed in the INTERPOL Information System. After that, before disclosing information connected with a request, the CCF shall consult the owner of that information – Interpol National Central Bureau of the relevant country.

When CCF cannot execute the application?

As provided for in Article 35 of the Statute of the Commission, information connected with a request is accessible to the applicant, subject to restrictions required by any source of the data.

In some cases, the (NCB) of INTERPOL of the relevant country may restrict the communication of any information including the existence or the absence of data concerning the client in the INTERPOL Information System.

In this case, the Commission’s competence will be limited from sharing the information with the applicant due to the established restrictions. However, in our experience, such restrictions are imposed on active INTERPOL notices, so there is nothing to prohibit you from requesting the deletion of data.

For other cases, the CFF may seek clarification from the Interpol General Secretariat and all entities involved in a case. That’s why having an experienced international legal practitioner is important when requesting further information on your case.

You Receive the Information: What’s Next?

If you have received a data disclosure and found out that you have an outstanding INTERPOL notice, you should carefully prepare to proceed to the next step – requesting data deletion.

It is imperative that you contact an Interpol lawyers to get a professional explanation of the data you have received from the Interpol File Control Commission. The process of challenging data is quite complex and requires a qualified approach to writing a complaint and submitting documents to the Commission.

Legal Assistance during the process

Given the complexity of Interpol’s procedures and the potential legal implications of being subject to an Interpol notice, having experienced legal guidance is crucial. Don’t let the uncertainty of an INTERPOL notice cause you undue stress. Contact our Interpol Law Firm – Collegium of International Lawyers today for expert assistance. We are here to help you understand your status, clear any unwarranted notices, and provide the legal support you need to protect your rights and reputation. We’ve successfully navigated numerous clients through this process, ensuring they understand their status and can take necessary actions based on the information obtained.