/MRZ Code on Passport: How to Verify and Scan It

What is an MRZ Code?

The Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) is a standardized section found in passports and identity documents. It consists of two or three lines of encoded characters, located at the bottom of the passport’s identity page. This section is designed to be scanned by machines using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology, enabling quick and accurate reading of the holder’s personal details.

MRZ codes include critical identity data such as:

• Full name
• Document number
• Nationality
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Document expiration date

These codes follow strict international standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), ensuring interoperability and global recognition. Their format includes letters, numbers, and special chevron characters (<<) to separate fields and maintain consistency.

Where is the MRZ Number on a Passport?

You can find the MRZ number on the identity page of your passport, usually at the bottom. In biometric passports, this area spans two lines and includes the holder’s key personal data in a compressed and machine-readable format. The MRZ is easy to locate and is clearly visible, helping both travelers and border agents expedite the verification process.

Why is the MRZ Needed at Airport Security?

At airports and border control points, MRZ scanning plays a pivotal role in security and operational efficiency. Here’s why:

• Speed: MRZ scanning accelerates identity checks, reducing queues.
• Security: The data is cross-verified with global immigration databases and watchlists.
• Fraud Prevention: MRZs help detect forged or tampered documents.

Authorities use the MRZ to instantly validate a traveler’s credentials, making it a vital part of modern international travel infrastructure.

How to Scan an MRZ Code

What Does Scan MRZ Mean?

Scanning an MRZ refers to reading the Machine Readable Zone using an electronic device capable of OCR. This process extracts the encoded data and transforms it into digital text, which can then be used for:

• Identity verification
• Authentication against secure databases
• Biometric matching

How to Scan Your Passport with a Phone

Modern smartphones can be used to scan the MRZ on a passport, but for high-assurance use cases (like digital onboarding or KYC), it’s essential to use a trusted identity verification provider like Veridas.

Here’s how the process works when partnering with Veridas:

1. The user accesses a company’s onboarding portal or mobile app.
2. The software prompts the user to scan the passport. Using the phone camera, the user aligns the MRZ lines within the guide frame on the screen.
3. Veridas’ OCR engine captures and reads the MRZ data automatically, extracting the document number, expiration date, and other relevant fields.
4. If the device has NFC, Veridas can read the chip embedded in biometric passports, accessing:
   • High-resolution biometric photo
   • Digital signature
   • Tamper-proof cryptographic data
5. The data is then cross-verified against the selfie provided, checking for liveness and matching facial biometrics, ensuring that the person presenting the document is its rightful holder.

This seamless flow enhances both user experience and security, reducing friction while maintaining the highest level of compliance with international standards.

MRZ Verification: Tips and Tools

MRZ verification is more than just reading the characters; it’s about ensuring document integrity and identity authenticity. Here’s how advanced tools enhance the process:

• Document Authenticity: Comparing MRZ data with visual inspection zone (VIZ) and chip data.
• Biometric Matching: Facial recognition or voice verification ensures the document matches the holder.
• Fraud Detection: Identifying signs of forgery, expired documents, or inconsistencies in data.

Tip for Businesses: If you operate in sectors like finance, travel, or e-government, using a reliable identity verification solution like Veridas ensures compliance with global standards (ISO/IEC 30107, GDPR) and mitigates risks related to impersonation or identity theft.

Veridas’ Identity Verification Solution goes beyond basic OCR. It uses AI to verify:

• Data consistency across MRZ, chip, and visual fields
• Passive and active liveness
• Deepfake resistance

MRZ Validation Tool by Veridas

When searching for a professional-grade “MRZ validation tool,” Veridas stands out as a leading provider. Our document verification solution combines OCR, MRZ decoding, and NFC chip reading into a seamless process that guarantees:

• Accurate parsing of all MRZ formats (TD1, TD2, TD3)
• Real-time validation against official identity templates
• Security checks using cryptographic chip data
• Integration with biometric modules (facial or voice)

With Veridas, businesses can automate and secure identity checks for:

• Onboarding (KYC/AML)
• Border and access control
• Government services
• Telecom, banking, and insurance processes

Veridas’ MRZ validation tool ensures both regulatory compliance and a frictionless user experience, making it ideal for industries that demand trust, speed, and scalability.

MRZ codes are not just lines of letters and numbers—they are the backbone of secure identity verification in the modern world. From airport check-ins to remote onboarding, their speed, reliability, and standardization make them essential for any process that requires proof of identity.