HomeINTERPOL Blue Notices Thailand – What They Are and How to Get Rid of Them
Interpol Blue notices are crucial tools for national law enforcement agencies to share critical crime-related information, locate or confirm the identity of persons of interest. While this international alert isn’t an arrest warrant, it can be a step towards criminal proceedings. Possible consequences include immigration detention, questioning, visa denial, or restrictions on business activities.
For individuals listed in the Interpol blue notice list, you’ll need experienced international lawyers to navigate the legal complexities of challenging such alerts. Our legal team specialize in Interpol notices, helping clients analyze the contents of an alert, prepare a petition to the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF), prove violations of INTERPOL’s Constitution, seek removal of the notice, and protect your rights abroad.
What Is an INTERPOL Blue Notice?
A Blue Notice is one of INTERPOL’s official tools used to assist member countries gather or share relevant information in criminal investigations. Unlike the more widely known Interpol Red Notice, a Blue Notice is not related to criminal prosecution or an arrest warrant. It is used to locate and verify a person’s identity, or obtain additional information about a person of interest to law enforcement agencies like the International criminal court or international criminal tribunals.
The purpose of a Blue Notice is to help Interpol member countries establish the current location of a person, track their movements, identify unknown individuals (e.g., those using forged documents), and establish links with persons connected to crimes under investigation—without filing charges.
Important: A person subject to an Interpol Blue Notice is not necessarily a suspect or accused. They may be a witness, a person of interest, someone connected to a parallel case, or simply an individual about whom authorities need more information.
Typically, a Blue Notice contains the following:
- Full name, date/place of birth, nationality
- Photograph and physical description
- Reason for issuing: location, identity confirmation, or information gathering
- Requesting authority details
- Connection of the person to the investigation
- Additional data (passport information, travel routes, etc.)
A Blue Notice does not authorize detention or arrest, is not linked to extradition, and does not imply guilt. However, it may trigger attention at border crossings, immigration checks, visa applications, or banking processes. In some international investigations, it serves as a preliminary step toward an Interpol Red Notice or Green Notice.
Who Can Be Targeted by a Blue Notice?
- Witnesses with valuable information for an ongoing investigation related to serious crimes. Their names may be included for purposes of location, questioning, or information gathering.
- Persons under suspicion when there is insufficient evidence for an arrest warrant or charges. These may include individuals at the early stage of an international investigation, close associates of a suspect, or people who fled before criminal proceedings began.
- Foreign nationals whose whereabouts are unknown are often tracked through immigration records, border crossings, or identity verification. It helps to locate individuals evading justice in Interpol member countries.
- Missing persons — individuals missing under suspicious circumstances or abroad, even if they are not fugitives.
Thus, Blue Notices are often used broadly for investigative support, not only for fugitives.
How Is a Blue Notice Interpol Issued?
Only law enforcement agencies of INTERPOL member states can request a Blue Notice. Typical initiators include national police, prosecutors, investigative agencies, or special units like the International criminal court. Additionally, the UN Security Council Sanctions Committees can request this international alert for assistance with different sanctions.
The process of issuing a Blue Notice involves:
- A request is submitted via the country’s National Central Bureau (NCB).
- The request is transmitted through INTERPOL’s secure global communications system I-24/7, accessible 24/7 by authorities in 195 member states.
- INTERPOL’s General Secretariat in Lyon reviews the request for:
- Technical compliance (does it fit the scope of a Blue Notice?)
- Legality (does it comply with INTERPOL’s Constitution?)
- Completeness (is sufficient data provided?)
- If approved, the Blue Notice is published in I-24/7 and accessible to law enforcement worldwide.
Unlike some Red Notices, Blue Notices are not public, especially in an ongoing investigation. This means the individual may remain unaware of their existence until confronted at a border, during a visa process, or in a bank.
Can a Blue Notice Turn Into a Red Notice?
Yes. An Interpol Blue Notice may escalate into a Red Notice if new evidence arises or if the person’s status changes (e.g., from witness to suspect). Once charges or a national arrest warrant exist, the requesting country can apply for an Interpol Red Notice.
This underscores the importance of early legal action during the Blue Notice stage to prevent escalation.
How to Remove an INTERPOL Blue Notice
Before filing a complaint, it is crucial to understand why the Interpol notice was issued and whether there are grounds for deletion. Valid arguments before the CCF may include:
- Political motivation (e.g., persecution of opposition figures)
- Human rights violations (risk of torture, unfair trial, discrimination)
- Abuse of the INTERPOL system (using a Blue Notice as a tool of intimidation)
- Factual errors or lack of legal basis
- Recognized refugee status in another country
Required documentation:
- National arrest warrant or proof of its absence
- Court or prosecutorial records proving political or administrative nature
- Refugee/asylum decision
- Reports by international organizations
- Lawyer/NGO letters or expert assessments
- Personal data: passport copy, biography, travel routes
All documents submitted through the Interpol notice system must be submitted in one of INTERPOL’s official languages (English, French, Spanish, or Arabic).
Filing:
- Complaints are submitted to:
Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF)
200, quai Charles de Gaulle
69006 Lyon, France - In some cases, electronic submission is possible (via a lawyer).
- After submission, the CCF registers the complaint, may request additional information, and reviews the case (usually 4–9 months).
Possible outcomes:
- Complete removal of the Interpol Blue Notice
- Rejection of the complaint
- Limitation of access or correction of certain data
Legal Assistance With a Blue Notice
The INTERPOL system is complex, governed by its own rules and constitution. Complaints to the CCF require proper knowledge of Interpol’s rules, international law, and effective evidence presentation.
Attempting to challenge an Interpol Blue Notice without expert help carries serious risks: incomplete evidence, procedural errors, or missed deadlines can result in rejection.
Our legal services include:
- Early-stage consultation and risk assessment
- Verification of the notice (direct and indirect methods)
- Evidence collection and legal argument preparation
- Drafting and filing complaints with full translations
- Assistance in cases of border detention or visa denial
- Case monitoring and representation before the CCF
- Defense against politically motivated abuse of the INTERPOL system
We operate globally, with a strong network of partner law firms, ensuring immediate response to detentions, cooperation with local lawyers, and rapid defense strategies.
Contact us immediately for expert advice and protection of your rights.
Interpol Blue Notice FAQs
What does a Blue Notice mean?
A Blue Notice is a request by an INTERPOL member state to locate a person, confirm their identity, or collect additional information. Unlike a Red Notice, it does not request arrest. However, it can reveal critical information about a person’s criminal activities, which may result to other interpol notices.
How can I find out if a Blue Notice is issued against me?
Interpol Blue Botices aren’t public. These alerts are intended for national and international law enforcement agencies to share critical information during criminal investigations and you only find out indirectly at borders, visa denial, or during a bank check. For official confirmation, an official request must be filed with the CCF, usually through a lawyer.
Can an Interpol Blue Notice lead to arrest?
No, an Interpol Blue Notice isn’t an international arrest warrant. However, it may trigger questioning by local authorities and heightened border checks. In some cases, it can escalate into an Interpol Red Notice, which results to the provisional arrest of a person.
How can an Interpol Blue Notice be removed?
The International Criminal Police Organization alows individuals to challenge biased or erroneous Interpol Blue Notices. Individuals can file a complaint to the CCF with evidence of political motivation, human rights violations, or errors in the request. Supporting documents must be provided in an official INTERPOL language.
Can am Interpol Blue Notice become a Red Notice?
Yes. If new evidence emerges or charges are filed, the requesting country may escalate the case to a Red Notice, which carries serious legal consequences.
