Belgium Passport OCR with the StructOCR Python SDK

Challenges with Belgian Passport Verification

Extracting accurate information from Belgian passports presents unique challenges. The newest generation features complex polycarbonate data pages and highly detailed, comic-strip-themed background artwork (such as Tintin or the Smurfs) designed to thwart forgery. Additionally, the multi-language field descriptors (Dutch, French, German, and English) require specialized parsing. These factors can significantly hinder manual data entry and traditional OCR methods, making a specialized passport extraction api essential for reliable processing.

Why StructOCR for Belgian Passports

StructOCR offers unparalleled accuracy for Belgian passport data extraction, thanks to our advanced machine learning models trained on a vast dataset. Our solution is specifically engineered to overcome the common obstacles found in these EU-standard documents. Whether you need a powerful passport extraction api or a comprehensive fintech identity verification software, StructOCR delivers robust performance via our direct API service. For the fastest Python integration, install the official StructOCR SDK and see the Python SDK documentation.

Built for High-Compliance Industries

• Travel & Aviation: Our API serves as a critical verification solution for travel, enabling faster check-ins, Schengen Area border management, and automated eGate processing for Belgian citizens. This speeds up passenger throughput and enhances the overall travel experience.
• Financial Services: By integrating our sophisticated fintech identity verification software, financial institutions can automate their KYC onboarding workflows with confidence, ensuring compliance with strict EU Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and NBB regulations. This reduces manual review times and mitigates fraud risk.

Belgium Passport OCR with the Python SDK

The official Python SDK handles file encoding, API communication, and structured passport results. Use the SDK directly or open the FastAPI tab for a server endpoint. Keep your API key in STRUCTOCR_API_KEY.

Prerequisite: `pip install structocr`; set the server-side `STRUCTOCR_API_KEY` environment variable.

Prefer another stack? Open the Node.js SDK + Express integration.

import os
from structocr import StructOCR

# Initialize StructOCR Client
client = StructOCR(os.environ["STRUCTOCR_API_KEY"])

def scan_belgium_passport():
    image_path = "belgium_passport_sample.jpg"

    try:
        print(f"Scanning {image_path}...")
        result = client.scan_passport(image_path)

        if result.get('success'):
            data = result['data']
            print("✅ Passport Extraction Successful!")
            print(f"Passport #:  {data.get('passport_number')}")
            print(f"Name:        {data.get('given_names')} {data.get('surname')}")
            print(f"Nationality: {data.get('nationality')}")
            print(f"DOB:         {data.get('date_of_birth')}")
        else:
            print(f"❌ Extraction Failed: {result.get('error')}")

    except Exception as e:
        print(f"Error: {e}")

if __name__ == "__main__":
    scan_belgium_passport()

JSON Response Example

The Python SDK returns a dictionary matching this normalized JSON structure.

{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "type": "passport",
    "country_code": "BEL",
    "nationality": "BEL",
    "passport_number": "EP123456",
    "surname": "PEETERS",
    "given_names": "JAN",
    "sex": "M",
    "date_of_birth": "1990-07-21",
    "place_of_birth": "BRUSSEL",
    "date_of_issue": "2022-05-15",
    "date_of_expiry": "2029-05-14",
    "issuing_authority": "FOD BUIZA / SPF AFET"
  }
}