Top-Notch ID Document Processing Worldwide: Azerbaijan

Located at the crossroads of West Asia and Eastern Europe, Azerbaijan incorporates features from neighboring countries into its passports, identity cards, and driver’s licenses, while still maintaining its national identity. 

Here are the most prominent characteristics of Azerbaijani IDs you may encounter in your verification flows:

Since 2013, Azerbaijani passports have been biometric, with polycarbonate data pages. In 2024, the series was updated—though the layout, data fields, and overall design remained nearly the same. 

The update mainly focused on dynamic security features, which are key to detecting document liveness. The 2024 passport introduces a new Multiple Laser Image (MLI) below the main portrait. It still includes the expiration date in one layer, but no longer features the ghost portrait. Above the MLI, there is an Optically Variable Printed Image showing the crescent and eight-pointed star—national symbols of Azerbaijan.

In the latest series, the hologram on the top right—previously showing the coat of arms—has been replaced by a transparent window displaying the ghost portrait from the adjacent page, which is visible when held up to the light.

Now, the hologram is positioned next to the main portrait. This placement can cause glare when scanned with a smartphone, making it harder for software to read the data accurately.

Both passport series include the standard dataset, with information in Azerbaijani and English. One standout feature is the inclusion of the patronymic—a name component based on the holder’s father’s name—common in Azerbaijani identity documents. The patronymic appears only in Azerbaijani and is not encoded in the machine-readable zone (MRZ). However, it’s usually stored in the chip along with other personal data, MRZ information, and a photo.

Azerbaijani is a Turkic language, closely related to Turkish, and uses a Latin-based script with specific characters like ç, ğ, ö, and ə. Historically, the language also used Cyrillic and Perso-Arabic scripts. This linguistic background means your Optical Character Recognition (OCR) engine should support Azerbaijani to ensure proper data extraction.

As a coastal nation, Azerbaijan issues a special identity document used for crew members of sea vessels. This seafarer’s travel document is a professional ID in ID-1 format, recognized as legal proof of identity at ports worldwide. It allows holders to access international port territories and is valid for five years.

The current version in circulation dates back to 2008. It includes personal information such as the holder’s name, nationality, and date of birth. On the reverse side, it features a PDF417 barcode containing data from the visual inspection zone (VIZ), along with an MRZ code. Both the barcode and MRZ should be read and cross-checked with the VIZ during document authentication.

Originally intended as a domestic ID, Azerbaijani identity cards are mandatory for all citizens aged 15 and older. They can also be used for travel to Türkiye, thanks to the strong linguistic and cultural ties between the two countries. Turkish and Azerbaijani are highly similar, which helps given that the card’s data is written in Azerbaijani, with field labels also shown in English.

Azerbaijan issues two types of ID cards: one for citizens under 16, and another for those 16 and older. Among others, the card includes the holder’s full name with the patronymic, date of birth, personal number, gender, and validity period. Cards for minors additionally list the parents’ names. 

The MRZ is located on the reverse side of the card along with the blood group and place of birth.

Notably, the card’s validity period varies. It must be renewed if lost or stolen, or when the holder reaches the ages of 25, 35, and 50.

The Azerbaijani driver’s license, one of the most commonly used domestic IDs, is updated more often than other documents. The recent series was introduced in 2024, but licenses from the 2013 and 2020 series are still in use, as they remain valid for ten years.

All text on the license is in Azerbaijani. In the 2013 and 2020 series, all data, including the photo, is presented on the front. The reverse side represents information about the text fields and vehicle categories. If the document is a reissue, field 11 may show details of the previous license, including the serial number and expiration date.  

The 2024 series has another layout, similar to the driver’s licenses issued by EU member states. For example, alongside the regular field numbering, there are fields (4a and 4b) that show the issuance and expiration dates. Additionally, the document features a QR code that includes the license number, expiration date, and the holder’s date of birth, all of which can be read during verification.

The latest design also includes visual updates. For instance, a composite image of Gobustan petroglyphs appears at the bottom of the front side, referencing the famous carvings from the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape Reserve. 

A geometric hologram over the photo adds a layer of security but may interfere with scanning during document checks.

While Azerbaijan continues to modernize its passports and driver’s licenses to meet current security and design standards, its IDs still reflect distinct national features. To verify Azerbaijani documents accurately and efficiently, your IDV solution must support the following:

• Advanced OCR for Azerbaijani—All national IDs are issued in Azerbaijani. Although it’s based on the Latin script, the language includes many diacritic characters—such as ç, ə, and ğ—that are often misread in blurry or low-quality scans. 

• Reading machine-readable elements—From MRZs and barcodes to embedded chips, your system must extract data from all available sources to perform a thorough check.

• NFC verification—Since both series of Azerbaijani passports are biometric, reading the electronic chips is critical during document authentication.

• Document liveness detection—With deepfakes and AI-generated forgeries on the rise, verifying document authenticity is essential—especially in countries like Azerbaijan that have multiple valid versions in circulation (e.g., two passport series and three driver’s license formats).

• Recognition of rare document types—Less common documents, like the seafarer’s ID, still serve as valid proof of identity. Your solution should be trained to recognize and process all Azerbaijani ID types with high precision. 

Regula supports you in tackling these verification challenges. With the world’s largest database of over 15,500 document templates from 254 countries and territories, plus powerful technologies that work cross-platform and 100% on-premises, our solution ensures both accuracy and data security.