Regula has expanded its proprietary identity document template database to 16,000 templates.
According to the company, with this latest update, Regula ensures full readiness for major global changes taking effect in 2026, including the new ICAO requirement for unified two-letter passport type codes and updated biometric photo standards.
“Outdated document data is one of the biggest risks in identity verification,” explained Ihar Kliashchou, Chief Technology Officer at Regula.
“When a new passport design or security feature appears, fraudsters exploit the gap before verification systems catch up.
“By continuously monitoring global document changes and updating our database immediately, we close that vulnerability window.
“Reaching 16,000 templates means our customers always verify against the latest, most accurate information and stay a step ahead of evolving fraud.”
Starting January 2026, ICAO’s Doc 9303 mandates a uniform two-letter code for all machine-readable passports (MRPs) of different types (e.g. diplomatic and official).
These new standardized codes will affect how automated border control systems, e-gates, inspection platforms and IDV solutions read and validate passports.
The change requires system-level updates to MRZ reading and parsing, document classification logic and verification workflows.
Many countries have already switched to the new ICAO-compliant codes.
All newly issued documents from such countries are now incorporated into Regula’s updated database, ensuring that organizations worldwide can verify them.
Regula says that it also fully supports the latest ICAO biometric photo standard, which requires e-passport chips to store not only the basic facial image but also additional metadata, including detailed facial landmarks, precise eye and hair color, and other biometric attributes.
This standard comes into full effect in 2026 and modernizes the storage and quality requirements for face images embedded in ePassport chips.
Regula says that its update also includes these newly released documents:
Identity cards from:
Driver’s licenses from: