Bates Numbering

In litigation, every page produced in discovery needs a unique identifier, and Bates numbering is how the legal world does it. A prefix, a sequential number, and suddenly "the email about the invoice" becomes ABC-000147 — citable in a deposition, traceable in a privilege log, unambiguous in court. This tool applies Bates numbering online, stamping every page of your PDF in seconds.

You control the format. Set a custom prefix such as "SMITH-" or your case number, choose the starting number so a new production picks up where the last one ended, and pick how many digits of zero-padding you want — 000001 rather than 1. Then choose where the stamp sits: bottom right, bottom left or bottom center. The tool numbers every page in order and hands back the stamped file.

For law firms, the privacy model matters most: the PDF is processed entirely in your browser and is never uploaded, so privileged and confidential documents stay on your machine. Free, no signup, no watermarks, no page limits.

How to add Bates numbers online

1. Drag your PDF into the tool — it opens locally in your browser, so client documents are never transmitted.
2. Enter your prefix, for example "ABC-" or a case identifier like "DOE2026-".
3. Set the start number. Use 1 for a first production, or continue from your last stamped page for a supplemental one.
4. Choose the zero-padding digits — six digits produces ABC-000001, ABC-000002 and so on.
5. Pick the stamp position: bottom right, bottom left or bottom center.
6. Click to stamp every page and download the Bates-numbered PDF, then log the number range in your production index.

When to use this tool

• A paralegal stamps 400 pages of email printouts as PLAINTIFF-000001 through PLAINTIFF-000400 before a discovery production.
• A solo attorney Bates stamps a PDF of medical records so opposing counsel can cite specific pages in a personal injury deposition.
• A corporate legal team numbers internal documents responsive to a subpoena, continuing the sequence from a prior rolling production.
• An accountant applies sequential stamps to audit workpapers so every page can be referenced unambiguously in the final report.
• A records clerk numbers exhibits for an administrative hearing, using a different prefix per exhibit set.
• A compliance officer stamps policy binders page by page so revisions can be tracked against a fixed page identifier.

Tips for the best results

• Keep a running log of the last Bates number used in each matter — the next production should start at the following number, never reuse one.
• Six digits of padding is the common convention in US discovery; it keeps numbers aligned and sorts correctly in any file list.
• Choose a prefix that identifies the producing party, like "SMITH-" or "DEF-", so pages from different parties never collide.
• Stamp position matters: pick a corner that will not cover footers or page numbers already printed on the documents.
• Bates stamp a copy, not your only original — keep the clean version in case the formatting requirements change mid-case.