Machine-Readable Zone (MRZ)

The Machine-Readable Zone (MRZ) is a specially formatted section on passports and some IDs that contains key personal information, such as name, date of birth, and document number. Designed for quick digital processing, the MRZ uses standardized spacing, fonts, and characters so machines can easily scan and interpret the data without manual input. This system helps streamline border checks, security screenings, and identity verification, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in processing travelers. The MRZ typically appears as two or three lines of printed characters at the bottom of a passport or ID document.