INTERPOL CCF Portal 2026: A Guide for UK Applicants and Solicitors

INTERPOL launched its new dedicated online portal for CCF requests on 26 March 2026 at 10:00 CET. The change is significant: email and postal submissions are no longer accepted except in exceptional circumstances under Rule 25(2) of the CCF Operating Rules. For UK applicants — solicitors, barristers, and individuals acting for themselves — the portal is now the only standard route to challenge a Red Notice, request access to personal data, or seek correction of INTERPOL records.

The Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) is INTERPOL’s independent oversight body. It reviews personal data held in the INTERPOL Information System — Red Notices, Diffusions, and other database entries — and has the authority to order their deletion, correction, or suspension. It operates under its own Statute, separate from the INTERPOL General Secretariat.

For UK nationals and UK residents targeted by foreign states through INTERPOL, the CCF is the primary international legal remedy. A successful deletion application removes the Red Notice from INTERPOL’s database and triggers notification to member states. It does not automatically remove data from national databases or private compliance systems such as World-Check — those require separate steps — but CCF deletion is typically the first objective in any defence strategy.

The portal handles four distinct request types. Each is submitted separately — the CCF does not accept combined submissions covering multiple request types in a single application.

Access request. Confirms whether INTERPOL holds personal data about the applicant and identifies which databases contain that data. No grounds are required. Processing typically takes two to four months. This is usually the first step for individuals uncertain whether they are listed in INTERPOL’s system — border alerts and travel difficulties do not always originate from INTERPOL, and an access request clarifies the position without requiring the applicant to make any allegations.

Correction request. Seeks to fix inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated information in INTERPOL files. The applicant must provide evidence — court records, official documents, or other materials demonstrating the inaccuracy. Processing typically takes four to eight months, with substantive decisions made at formal CCF plenary sessions, which convene four times per year.

Deletion request. The most significant remedy: requests removal of data from INTERPOL’s Information System. Grounds must be stated and documented. Recognised grounds include unlawful processing, political motivation, disproportionality between the alleged offence and the international measure, fair trial concerns, and non-compliance with INTERPOL’s Rules on the Processing of Data. Timeline ranges from six to eighteen months or longer for contested cases. The CCF’s written reasons explain the outcome either way.

Revision application. Filed under Article 42 of the CCF Statute when new facts emerge after a previous CCF decision. The portal accepts an initial two-page summary; the CCF may request further documents after its preliminary review. This route is available where circumstances have changed materially — for example, a prosecution discontinued, charges dropped, or new evidence of political motivation obtained.

Note on preemptive requests: The ability to file a preemptive request — before a Red Notice is formally issued — has been removed from the new portal. This option is no longer available through standard CCF procedures.

Step 1: Access the portal. Go to www.interpol.int and navigate to the CCF section. Download the Portal User Guide for Applicants (available as a PDF). The portal requires registration with a valid identity document before any submission can be made.

Step 2: Identify the correct request type. Access requests require no supporting grounds. Correction, deletion, and revision requests require documentary evidence. Before filing, determine what INTERPOL data the applicant is dealing with — this shapes the strategy. If the position is unclear, an access request first establishes the factual basis.

Step 3: Prepare the file. As of March 2026, the CCF applies a ten-page limit for correction, deletion, and revision request summaries. This is a significant constraint for complex cases. The written summary must be precise and legally grounded — the CCF is not a court and does not conduct oral hearings. The written file is the entirety of the applicant’s case.

Step 4: Submit through the portal. UK-based solicitors can submit on behalf of clients. The submission generates a reference number and acknowledgement. The CCF confirms receipt and may request additional materials before the formal review.

Step 5: Await the outcome. The CCF notifies the applicant (or their representative) of the decision in writing. For deletion requests, a successful outcome results in notification to INTERPOL member states. For access and correction requests, the CCF sets out what data it holds or what changes it has made.

Post-Brexit, the UK is no longer part of EU information-sharing frameworks in the same form, but INTERPOL membership and CCF access are not affected. UK nationals and residents submit CCF requests through the same portal as any other applicant internationally. There is no distinction in the CCF process between EU and non-EU applicants.

However, UK applicants should be aware that CCF deletion does not automatically resolve all consequences of an INTERPOL listing. The UK National Crime Agency (NCA) maintains its own records. UK Border Force systems may retain data independently. Private compliance databases — Refinitiv World-Check, Dow Jones Risk & Compliance, and others — update on their own cycles and require separate contact and evidence submissions to amend their records.

For individuals with pending UK visa, ILR, or naturalisation applications, a Red Notice creates specific complications under the Home Office’s good character requirement. That is a separate legal process from the CCF procedure and should be assessed in parallel, not sequentially.

Our extradition solicitors work with CCF applications for UK-based clients and internationally. If you are dealing with an INTERPOL Red Notice, a Diffusion, or uncertain data in INTERPOL’s system, contact us for a confidential assessment.