In the UK
A representative of the British Red Cross will be happy to help you with your enquiry. When we begin to work on your behalf, you will be given your own reference number to make the process run smoothly. It would be helpful if you used this number when you contact us.
We can arrange an appointment with you at any of our offices. If you need assistance in speaking English, you can bring along an adult member of your family, a colleague, or a friend to help you. We will try to provide an interpreter, if you need one.
It may be that you choose to access our services through a solicitor or advice centre. If so, we need a letter of authorisation from you stating that the lawyer is your representative.
After you have first contacted us, we will reply to you within four weeks. If we are able to help you, we will keep you regularly informed about what we have done.
Abroad
Your message or request for a search is handled by our partners abroad – in conflicts by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and elsewhere by other Red Cross and Red Crescent societies.
When you sign the Red Cross Message or Tracing form you allow us to pass your details to these partners, as well as to the person you are trying to contact.
When we come back to you
As soon as we have information for you, we will contact you.
It is the choice of the person you are contacting if they want to give you their address. We will always respect their decision.
We cannot tell you how long an enquiry may take. | 
