Blog
Scan Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) On Identification Cards and Travel Documents
Many identification cards and travel documents around the world include a Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) to facilitate automated data entry, streamlining processes at borders, airports, and other checkpoints. Whether it’s a passport, national ID card, or visa, MRZs ensure that vital information is captured and processed efficiently.
To harness the power of MRZ scanning, Dynamsoft offers the MRZ Scanner SDK, a robust software development kit designed to quickly and accurately read MRZs from various documents.
See it in action: Online MRZ Scanner Demo >
Here are some common types of ID cards and documents that have an MRZ:
1. Passports
Most passports have an MRZ, typically found at the bottom of the identity page.
The MRZ in a standard passport typically consists of two lines, each 44 characters long. This format is known as the TD3 format. It includes information such as the passport number, issuing country, full name, nationality, date of birth, sex, and expiration date.
Some countries issue passport cards that have an MRZ with three lines of 30 characters each, known as the TD1 format. These are usually smaller than a standard passport book and are often used for specific types of travel, such as land and sea travel within certain regions.
Source: https://www.icao.int/publications/Documents/9303_p4_cons_en.pdf
2. National ID Cards
National ID cards with a Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) are increasingly being adopted by many countries as a secure and convenient means of verifying an individual’s identity.
Examples of Countries Issuing MRZ-Enabled National ID Cards:
European Union Countries:
Countries like Germany, France, Italy, and Spain issue national ID cards with MRZ, which can be used for travel within the EU/Schengen Area.
German identity card
_R%C3%BCckseite.jpg)
National identity card (France)
Italian electronic identity card
National identity card (Spain)
.webp)
Turkish identity card
.png)
Source:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_identity_card#/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_identity_card_%28France%29
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_electronic_identity_card
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Documento_Nacional_de_Identidad_%28Spain%29
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_identity_card
South American Countries:
Countries like Argentina and Brazil issue national ID cards that can be used for travel within the Mercosur region.
Other Regions:
Countries such as Malaysia (MyKad), Singapore, and South Korea issue national ID cards with MRZs, and while these cards are primarily used domestically, they may be accepted in certain neighboring countries or regions.
3. Visa Stickers
Visas issued by many countries for entry into their territory may contain an MRZ to expedite processing at border controls.
Source: https://www.icao.int/publications/Documents/9303_p7_cons_en.pdf