Article 02 · 7 min read
Start with the substrate
Genuine passports are printed on specialized security substrates using intaglio printing, guilloche patterns, and optically variable inks. Before examining any single detail, get a feel for the paper and print quality of an authentic document. Counterfeits and alterations often reveal themselves first through flat, photocopied-looking printing or a substrate that feels wrong.
Read the machine-readable zone
The two lines of characters at the bottom of the bio page — the MRZ — encode the holder’s data along with check digits. Recomputing those check digits and confirming they match the printed data is one of the fastest ways to catch a manipulated document. A mismatch between the visual zone and the MRZ is a serious red flag.
Inspect laminate and the bio page
Look closely at the laminate for lifting, bubbling, or re-application around the photo. Photo substitution frequently disturbs the laminate and the surrounding security overlay. Check that holograms shift correctly with angle, that the photo edges are sealed, and that the biometric data page is consistent with the rest of the booklet.
Confirm document-to-bearer consistency
Finally, compare the document to the person in front of you and across its own pages: fonts, spacing, and data should be uniform throughout. Page substitution and erasures leave inconsistent typography and alignment. Document everything you observe using a privacy-safe workflow, and escalate — never guess — when indicators point to fraud.