There are 4 or 5 letter/digit codes on e.g. US passport stamp (here 1943):
and Canada passport stamp (here 50174):
and Australia passport stamp (here 098U):
What is the meaning of these codes?
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7Usually, the serial number of the stamp or the number of the agent it is assigned to.– xngtngJan 28, 2022 at 7:53
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4Or agents pick a stamp at random on each shift, and then stamp a log to record which stamp they used that day– CSMJan 28, 2022 at 9:52
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1 Answer
It's a control number identifying the stamp for the purposes of detecting and deterring forgery as well as to identify the officer who placed the stamp in the document should that prove necessary.
As an example, here is an excerpt from the Schengen Practical Handbook for Border Guards (PDF) (emphasis added):
4.7 Different types of stamps are used to furnish proof of entry and exit (a rectangular stamp for entry, a rectangular stamp with rounded corners for exit). These stamps contain the letter(s) designating the country as well as indicating the border post, date, check number and a pictogram indicating the mode of travel used upon entry and exit (overland, by air or by sea).
Queries about entry and exit stamps, as well as documentation relating to forged, counterfeit, lost or incorrectly affixed stamps, can be asked to the contact point established by each Schengen State for this purpose.
4.8 Each border crossing point must keep record of the entry and exit stamps handed over to and returned by each border guard carrying out the checks. This will also include the reference of each respective stamp, which may need to be used for comparative purposes at a later date.
When the stamps are not used, they must be locked and access to them must be limited to the authorised border guards.
4.9 The security codes on the stamps must be changed at regular intervals not exceeding one month.
