The field map
What each fixed position in the MRZ means.
An MRZ is not free text. Every field starts at a fixed position on a fixed line. The toolkit colours each field so a misread character is easy to place.
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Document code | Type of document and, where used, subtype |
| Issuing State | Three-letter code of the issuing State |
| Name | Primary identifier then '<<' then secondary identifier |
| Document number | Number of the document, plus a check digit |
| Nationality | Three-letter nationality code |
| Date of birth | YYMMDD |
| Sex | M, F or '<' |
| Date of expiry | YYMMDD |
| Personal number | Optional; not present on visas |
| Composite check digit | Guard over several fields joined together |
Fillers ('<') pad fields shorter than their fixed width. A date such as 1 May 1990 becomes 900501; a day that is unknown may be filled as '<<'.
Source: Doc 9303 Part 3 — common field definitions — reference/9303-standands/Doc 9303 - Part 3 - Machine Readable Travel Documents (1).html