<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2015-10-15</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000883980</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FIRST DATA CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FDC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001327751</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Nevels James E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O FIRST DATA CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>225 LIBERTY STREET, 29TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10281</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>18673</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>12.65</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2024-11-12</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>158182</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares of Class B common stock (&quot;Class B Common Stock&quot;) of First Data Corporation (the &quot;Issuer&quot;) are convertible into shares of Class A common stock of the Issuer (&quot;Class A Common Stock&quot;) on a one-for-one basis at any time at the option of the holder with the prior written consent of the Issuer, automatically upon transfer, with certain exceptions, and upon certain other events.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes 18,673 shares of restricted Class B Common Stock, including 9,886 of which will vest on November 12, 2017 and 8,787 of which (i) 20% will vest upon the expiration of the 180-day lock-up period in connection with the Issuer's initial public offering, (ii) 40% will vest on February 24, 2017 and (iii) 40% will vest on February 24, 2018, subject to continued service through the applicable vesting dates.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">These stock options vest in equal annual installments on each of the first three anniversaries of November 12, 2014, subject to continued service through each applicable vesting date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>Exhibit 24 - Power of Attorney</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: /s/ Gretchen A. Herron, attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2015-10-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
