Quick answer: A Red Notice is a formal, published request to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition. A Diffusion is similar but sent directly between countries without full Interpol review, so it can appear faster and with less scrutiny. A Blue Notice is used to locate or identify a person, without requesting arrest.
What Is a Red Notice?
A Red Notice is issued at the request of a member country and asks law enforcement worldwide to locate a person and provisionally arrest them pending extradition. Before publication, it goes through a review process intended to check compliance with Interpol's Constitution, including Article 3, which prohibits Interpol involvement in matters of a political, military, religious, or racial character.
Red Notices are recorded in Interpol's databases and, in some circumstances, portions of the notice are made publicly accessible.
What Is a Diffusion?
A Diffusion serves a similar practical purpose to a Red Notice — requesting that a person be located and provisionally arrested — but is sent directly from one member country to others through Interpol's secure communications channels, without the same centralized review before circulation.
Because Diffusions bypass the more formal Red Notice review, they are sometimes used by requesting states when a Red Notice request has been refused or is expected to face scrutiny — making them a common area of concern in extradition defense work.
What Is a Blue Notice?
A Blue Notice is used to collect additional information about a person's identity, location, or activities in relation to a criminal investigation. Unlike a Red Notice or Diffusion, a Blue Notice does not request arrest — its function is informational and investigative.
Why the Difference Matters
The distinction affects how you find out about a notice, what legal options are available, and how urgently you need to act:
- Visibility. Diffusions are less visible than Red Notices and may not surface until you're stopped at a border.
- Challenge process. Red Notices can be formally challenged before the CCF; Diffusions can also be challenged, though the evidentiary approach can differ.
- Urgency. Because Diffusions can be issued and acted on quickly, cases involving them often require faster legal intervention.
All three notice types can be challenged before Interpol's CCF, but the right strategy depends entirely on which one actually applies to your case.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Outcomes depend on the specific facts of a case and the jurisdictions involved. Readers facing an actual or anticipated matter should seek advice from qualified counsel before making decisions.