ICAO MRZ Line 2 (Passport Data Line) Regex for Python

What this pattern does

This page provides a comprehensive, battle-tested regular expression for matching icao mrz line 2 (passport data line), ported and verified for Python. Identity and credential patterns need both correctness and safety, since they're frequent targets for adversarial input. The snippet below is ready to drop into your Python project — whether you're validating in a Django view, a FastAPI endpoint, or a standalone data processing script.

Python Implementation

# ICAO MRZ Line 2 (Passport Data Line)
# ReDoS-safe | RegexVault — Identity & PII > Passport Numbers

import re

icao_mrz_line_2_passport_data_line_pattern = re.compile(r'^([A-Z0-9<]{9})([0-9<])([A-Z]{3})(\d{6})([0-9<])([MFX<])(\d{6})([0-9<])([A-Z0-9<]{14})([0-9<])([0-9<])$')

def validate_icao_mrz_line_2_passport_data_line(value: str) -> bool:
    return bool(icao_mrz_line_2_passport_data_line_pattern.fullmatch(value))

# Example
print(validate_icao_mrz_line_2_passport_data_line("L898902C36UTO7408122F1204159ZE184226B<<<<<11"))  # True

Test Cases

When to use this pattern

This pattern is drawn from the Identity & PII > Passport Numbers category and carries a ReDoS-safe certification. That matters for Python developers because particularly important in Python web servers where CPU-bound regex operations can stall concurrent request handling. RegexVault audits patterns against known backtracking attack vectors, ensuring you have the necessary context before using this regex in a high-stakes production environment.

Common Pitfalls

Technical Notes

MRZ Line 2: 9-char passport number + check digit + 3-char nationality + 6-char DOB (YYMMDD) + check digit + gender (M/F/X/< ) + 6-char expiry + check digit + 14-char optional data + check digit + overall check digit. Capture groups: 1=passport number, 3=nationality, 4=DOB, 6=gender, 7=expiry.