Request for Access to Information in INTERPOL’s System

Requesting information from Interpol information systems is often a lengthy and highly bureaucratic legal procedure that requires professional help. With the right guidance, you can navigate this complex process effectively, request access to Interpol’s files, and challenge unjust entries. That’s where our expert Interpol lawyers come in.

Beyond protecting your reputation and ensuring fair treatment, we access and correct your INTERPOL records to restore your freedom to travel, work, and live without the shadow of uncertainty. Our lawyers can help you send inquiries to Interpol to determine whether you’re the subject of any notice and challenge unlawful entries.

Designed to enhance police cooperation in member countries, Interpol has a comprehensive database with information on serious crimes. An interpol access request is a duly prepared legal petition by an individual submitted to the Commission for the Control of Files (CCF) to obtain:Designed to enhance police cooperation in member countries, Interpol has a comprehensive database with information on serious crimes. An interpol access request is a duly prepared legal petition by an individual submitted to the Commission for the Control of Files (CCF) to obtain:

The information on INTERPOL’s database can cause arrest at border crossings, refusal of entry or visa issuance, freezing of bank accounts, as well as reputational and business risks. However, the accused might not be aware of the existence of an Interpol notice, especially if it concerns the public or national security. Only an official request to the CCF can provide accurate and reliable information.

The following categories of persons can submit such requests:

If you are uncertain about your status or want to ensure the safety of international travel, contact our lawyers. We will prepare an official petition to the CCF, obtain a response, and, if necessary, initiate an appeal and deletion procedure. Act preventively — protect yourself before border control becomes an unexpected obstacle.

All access requests for personal data in INTERPOL’s system must be submitted to a specialized body — the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF), an independent oversight structure at INTERPOL’s headquarters in Lyon, France. The CCF considers applications from individuals, including confirmation of the presence of personal data in INTERPOL’s system, information on the nature of notices (if any), as well as the right to rectification, restriction, or deletion of data in case of human rights violations.

Here’s the applicable procedure to request access to your information from Interpol files:

The request must include an application written in one of INTERPOL’s official languages, specifying the applicant’s personal details (full name, date and place of birth, nationality, address, and contact details). A copy of the identity document must be attached. If submitted by a representative, a power of attorney is required. The request format is not strictly fixed, but it is recommended to use the application form available on the CCF website.

Postal address:
Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files
200 quai Charles de Gaulle, 69006 Lyon, France

The relevant information can also be submitted by email listed on the CCF website, but it is recommended to duplicate the request by post.

The CCF confirms receipt of the request and may ask for additional documents. The commission analyses the request within 3–6 months, depending on the complexity of the case and the volume of requested information. The final decision is sent to the applicant in writing. If your data is present in INTERPOL’s database, this will be confirmed, after which you may initiate the process of rectification or deletion.

Requests may be submitted personally by the applicant or through a representative (e.g., a lawyer) with a power of attorney. Filing through an international lawyer significantly increases the chances of a positive outcome, especially in cases involving politics or human rights. However, the CCF statute requires the commission to consult the data source before disclosing information connected to such requests.

The request must include a copy of a valid international passport and a notarized translation. The application must be submitted in writing in English or French. INTERPOL recommends using the special template from the CCF website.

An admissible request must include:

Although the right of access is unconditional, a brief justification speeds up the review (frequent international travel, migration plans, visa application, participation in international programs, foreign business activity, past refusals of entry or arrests). However, the CCF might consult the Interpol National Central Bureau of the country that published the information and other law enforcement authorities when reviewing the request.

If submitted by a lawyer or representative, a duly signed power of attorney with the authority to correspond and receive responses from the CCF must be attached.

Additional documents for further information may include:

These documents strengthen the applicant’s legal position and justify the necessity of the request. Refusal to provide information connected to the request in written form may limit the commission’s competence as it doesn’t conduct oral hearings.

The CCF also refuses if the request is not submitted in the prescribed form or through unofficial channels. Applications from third parties without a power of attorney are not considered. The official template from INTERPOL’s website should be used, and submissions must be sent only to the official address or email of the CCF.

The CCF only considers requests within its competence. If the request does not concern INTERPOL’s database or falls outside the commission’s mandate, it will be rejected. The commission may also request additional information connected to the request from the Interpol General Secretariat or other government entities.

If a similar request has already been submitted and officially reviewed by the requests chamber, a repeated submission without new data may be deemed an abuse of rights and rejected. New documents should be submitted as supplements to an existing case, not as a separate request.

Keep copies of all submissions and responses from the CCF, and consult with lawyers before resubmitting.

Usually, the review by the CCF typically takes 2 to 6 months from when the Interpol request was declared admissible. During this time, the request is registered, documents are checked, national authorities are contacted, and the official response is prepared.

The timeframe for the CCF to generally decide on the request may increase if:

If the official CCF response states that your personal data has been entered into INTERPOL’s database, this means that a notice exists against you. You are in the international wanted system, and authorities of other countries may use this information to check you at border crossings, as well as in banking or other verifications. In this case, it is necessary to immediately take legal measures to protect your rights, especially if the data processed by Interpol is erroneous or violates your rights.

When the information provided confirms that your personal data is not in INTERPOL’s database, it means that no notices exist against you, at least at the time of review. Thus, you can cross borders, use banking services, and apply for visas as usual (excluding other restrictions unrelated to INTERPOL).

Please keep this response letter as confirmation of your status. If necessary, it may be presented to migration authorities or banks. If you have previously encountered issues, such as entry refusals, you can request an official written explanation from the competent authority of that country, referring to INTERPOL’s verification results.

One of the most common reasons for CCF refusal is an incorrectly or legally flawed application. A lawyer will help prepare the request in accordance with Interpol’s constitution and CCF procedural requirements. The lawyer will select appropriate wording consistent with international law, properly describe the situation, and clearly state your “legitimate interests.”

A properly prepared request is processed faster and facilitates further steps, such as filing an objection against a Red Notice. A lawyer familiar with Interpol’s constitution and CCF practice knows:

Without such knowledge, there is a high risk that your request will be returned or “stalled” for several months without progress.

If the CCF refuses your request, this is not the end. An experienced lawyer will help analyze the reasons for refusal, prepare additional explanations, or file a reasoned appeal. In cases of erroneous notices, they will initiate the procedure for challenging and deleting the data. Without legal assistance, it is extremely difficult to respond promptly and strategically, especially in politically sensitive cases.

Our team has many years of experience working with CCF applications. We help prepare and submit access requests, gather and translate necessary documents, monitor the review process, and challenge the information held in compliance with INTERPOL’s rules.

After receiving INTERPOL’s response, you may submit an official request to the CCF for deletion of the notice. The commission’s statute allows deletion if the request violates your fundamental human rights, is excessively punitive or unjustified, relates to a case where your innocence has been proven, or is connected to political, religious, or racial persecution. Your request must be supported by legal reasoning and documentary evidence.

If the notice cannot be deleted, another option is to restrict access to it. INTERPOL may block access for certain countries, limit its publication in the private sector, and record your comments and statements in the case. This is especially important for those who have obtained refugee or political protection status. In such cases, INTERPOL may restrict access to the notice in the country of origin or partner countries.

Our team is ready to assist you from the moment of filing an access request to the deletion of the notice from INTERPOL’s database. We provide professional, personalized, and individual support, protecting your rights at every stage. Contact us today for an initial consultation and protection of your rights at the international level.