eMRTD Connector

The configurable eMRTD Connector handles fast communication between the chip of an eMRTD and the DocVal Service for ICAO-compliant ID verifications

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Connect an eMRTD with the secure DocVal Service

Rapidly capture selected data from an NFC enabled chip on an eMRTD

An electronic Machine Readable Travel Document (eMRTD) stores the various identification details of the holder on the integrated chip, including a photograph with mandatory and optional identification elements. An eMRTD has a contactless integrated circuit embedded in it and the capability of being used for biometric identification of the MRTD holder, in accordance with the ICAO standards.

The DocVal Service is fully compliant with ICAO Doc 9303 standards. This makes it a perfect fit for KYC solutions. It is the basis for the secure reading of data from the chip on the eMRTD. This can be individually configured to read selected data groups, making the verification process faster and enabling purpose-specific data handling and data minimization. Supported access control protocols include Basic Access Control (BAC) and Password Authenticated Connection Establishment (PACE).

Fully compliant with relevant standards, the eMRTD connector can be used for travel documents following the ICAO 9303 standard.

How the eMRTD Connector reads data from the chip

The eMRTD contains an RFID chip that can be read by NFC. Spread across different data groups, this chip stores data from the travel document’s data page and the holder’s mandatory biometric: the photo.

To read the data from the chip on an eMRTD, the eMRTD Connector uses the data captured from the MRZ Scanner to securely access the chip, and then to read and verify the data stored on the chip. The data groups can be read according to pre-defined selections or individually customized. Reading less data groups can significantly increase the speed of the verification process. The data is passed over to the Document Validation Service (DocVal Service).

Reading an NFC enabled chip involves these steps

  1. Access to the chip
  2. Reading the selected data
  3. Authentication of the chip and data
  4. Parse data into structures
  5. Transfer of data from DocVal Service to customer server

Access to the Chip

To read the contents of the eMRTD chip, access control must be established. The access control mechanism will ensure that the data on the eMRTD chip will not be read without the knowledge of the holder of the travel document.

The ICAO has defined two Access Control Protocols, Basic Access Control (BAC) and Password Authenticated Connection Establishment (PACE).

Both access control protocols use an access key. The access key is generated from the document number, date of birth and date of expiry stored in the MRZ.

Inspect Chip on Passport

Once access control was established, the chip allows access to the selected data groups stored on the chip.

They can be read according to pre-defined selections or individually customized. The quantity of data groups read has a direct impact on the speed of the document verification process.

Important to know: In any pre-defined or individual selection, the SOD is read every time, and the selection will never affect the authenticity checks: DG14 (Chip Authentication) and DG15 (Active Authentication) are always read whenever the document carries them.

Authentication of the Chip

Chip authentication proves that data has been read from the original chip and that the chip has not been replaced or cloned. To verify that the following steps are performed

  1. Access Control (BAC or PACE)
  2. Chip Authentication (CA)

According to the ICAO Standard from 1st January 2018, PACE or BAC are required, while CA and AA are optional.

The eMRTD Connector together with the DocVal Service supports all the above-mentioned protocols.

Authentication of Data

With Passive Authentication, the integrity and authenticity of the data (like MRZ info, photo of face) is verified based on a list of trusted country certificates.

CSCA-Certificates

kinegram.digital provides a Docker container that includes data authentication certificates to its customers.

Many countries make their certificates available in the ICAO Public Key Directory. It is possible to retrieve a list of appropriate certificates from this directory.

The DIGITAL SEAL app and the Document Validation Service use the Country Signing Certificate Authority Masterlist provided by the BSI.

Integration of the eMRTD Connector into mobile or web apps

The eMRTD Connector is part of the kinegram.digital MOBILE CHIP SDK (available for iOS and Android). With the SDK, you are able to enrich your apps with the capability to securely read and validate the chip and the selected data groups stored on the chip of an eMRTD.

The eMRTD Connector connects the DocVal Service with the chip.

Experience seamless identity document verification in an instant

Instantly verify passports and ID cards to really know your customers.

Smooth identity verification

The kinegram.digital eMRTD Connector is part of the MOBILE CHIP SDK  (available for iOS and Android) and ensures a secure and seamless user experience. It is designed to make identity verification easy, fast and fraud-proof.

See how easy identity verification can be

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