What Is MRZ Code and How Does It Work?

Imagine you’re rushing through airport security, juggling your passport, boarding pass, and carry-on. The agent takes your passport, glances at it, and in just a second, a machine scans the bottom of the page. You barely notice it, but that quick scan just verified your identity, cross-checked it with global databases, and ensured you’re not on a watchlist—all before you even put your shoes back on. That little block of text and numbers at the bottom of your passport? That’s the MRZ code. It may look like a random mix of letters and digits, but it’s actually a compact, standardized way for machines to instantly read and process identity information.
In this article, we’ll break down what MRZ codes are, the different types, why they matter for security and fraud prevention, and how they power some of the most critical identity verification processes worldwide.

What is MRZ Code?

MRZ stands for Machine Readable Zone, a standardized section on identity documents such as passports, visas, and ID cards. It contains alphanumeric characters encoded in Optical Character Recognition (OCR) format, allowing machines to quickly scan and process personal data.
The MRZ code is typically located at the bottom of a passport's data page or on the back of an ID card. It includes essential information such as:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Document number
• Expiry date
• Nationality
• Check digits for data integrity verification

By using MRZ codes, authorities and businesses can automate identity verification processes, reducing the risk of human error and fraud.

MRZ Types

MRZ codes follow specific formats defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Document 9303. The most common types are:
TD1 Format
Used in ID cards, residence permits, and some driver’s licenses.Three lines of 30 characters each.Stores personal and document-related data.
TD2 Format
Found in visas and some travel documents.Two lines of 36 characters each.Provides extended space for document details.
TD3 Format (Passport MRZ)
Used in standard passports.Two lines of 44 characters each.Contains a check digit to validate data accuracy.These formats ensure interoperability, allowing border control, banks, and other entities to scan and verify identity documents globally.

Advantages of MRZ Code

1. Speed and Efficiency
MRZ scanning significantly reduces processing times compared to manual data entry. Automated identity verification helps streamline border control, financial transactions, and KYC processes.
2. Accuracy and Data Integrity
MRZ codes include check digits that verify the integrity of the extracted data, minimizing errors and reducing the risk of identity fraud.
3. Security and Fraud Prevention
Since MRZ codes adhere to ICAO standards, they include security features that make them difficult to forge. When combined with biometric verification, MRZ scanning enhances fraud prevention.
4. Global Standardization
MRZ codes follow international standards, enabling seamless cross-border identity verification and compliance with global regulations.
5. Automation in KYC and AML
Financial institutions and regulatory bodies use MRZ scanning in automated workflows to comply with KYC and AML regulations, reducing manual intervention and operational costs.

How Machines Read MRZ Codes

The MRZ formats, standardized by the ICAO, enable machines to leverage OCR technology to swiftly scan and verify critical details from identity documents. This process typically unfolds in three key stages.
Step 1
The MRZ is scanned using a suitable device, such as a passport reader at an airport, a smartphone camera at home, or any machine equipped for text recognition.
Step 2
Thanks to the standardized structure of MRZ text, essential data can be quickly extracted. This includes the document holder’s name, gender, date of birth, and nationality, along with issuing country details, document number, and expiration date to confirm its validity.
Step 3
The system calculates the document’s checksum using the check digits within the MRZ to detect potential forgeries. The extracted information and checksums are then cross-referenced against databases, allowing automated systems to flag any irregularities for further investigation.
MRZ codes offer the advantage of near-instant data extraction, significantly improving compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Their efficiency not only aids in fraud prevention but also ensures a seamless verification process for both users and service providers.

The Role of MRZ in AML and Fraud Prevention

MRZ codes were originally introduced in the aviation sector to streamline border control procedures while maintaining high-security standards. However, with technological advancements since the 1980s, this innovation has found applications in various fields, including AML compliance and fraud prevention. The widespread adoption of OCR technology across smartphones, tablets, and computers has made MRZ-based verification more accessible than ever.
By extracting text from identity documents, OCR technology enables real-time cross-checking against sanctions lists and criminal databases, flagging potential risks automatically. Additionally, the ability to verify checksums and encoded information enhances MRZ’s effectiveness as a fraud prevention tool, making it invaluable for AML and KYC compliance processes.
With mobile and desktop cameras, users can seamlessly verify their identities when accessing regulated services, such as crypto exchanges or age-restricted products. This ensures businesses remain compliant with identity verification regulations while reducing fraud risks. MRZ technology allows Sumsub to provide fast and reliable ID verification, preventing drop-offs and supporting a frictionless onboarding experience for users worldwide.
Ultimately, MRZ codes contribute to faster and more secure identity verification, ensuring businesses and users benefit from streamlined compliance without sacrificing accuracy or efficiency.

Conclusion

In a world where security, speed, and seamless digital interactions are the norm, having identity verification that just works isn’t a luxury—it’s an expectation.
Whether you’re boarding a flight, opening a bank account, or passing through border control, MRZ codes power the behind-the-scenes processes that keep things moving. Without them, verification would be slower, less reliable, and more prone to fraud.
As identity verification technology evolves, businesses and regulators that leverage MRZ scanning effectively will stay ahead—ensuring both security and convenience without compromise.