UAE compliance guide
MRZ passport explained
What the MRZ on a passport is, what data it holds, how check digits work and how MRZ and NFC chip reading support identity verification.
Short answer
The MRZ (machine readable zone) is the block of two or three lines of characters at the bottom of a passport or ID card. It encodes the holder's name, document number, nationality, date of birth, sex and expiry date, with check digits that detect errors. Verification systems read the MRZ to extract data and to unlock the chip in ePassports.
Last reviewed by the ITSEC compliance team. General information, not legal advice.
What standard defines the MRZ?
ICAO Document 9303 defines the format for machine readable travel documents.
How does MRZ relate to NFC?
Data from the MRZ is used as a key to read the encrypted chip in an ePassport. Chip data is digitally signed by the issuing state, which gives stronger assurance than reading the printed page alone.
Frequently asked questions
- Can the MRZ be faked?
- The printed MRZ can be altered, which is why checks compare it against the visual page and, where possible, the signed chip data.
- Does the Emirates ID have an MRZ?
- Yes, the Emirates ID card carries a machine readable zone on the reverse.
Official sources
Related on VerifiX
See VerifiX on your own onboarding flow
A 30-minute walkthrough with a compliance engineer, or a request for sandbox access.