Bates Numbering
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Bates Configuration
Organize legal discovery effortlessly. Our Bates Numbering Tool allows paralegals and attorneys to stamp sequential identification numbers onto thousands of PDF pages in seconds—without uploading sensitive client data.
What is Bates Numbering?
Bates numbering (or stamping) is the standard method for indexing legal documents. It assigns a unique, sequential alphanumeric identifier to every page (e.g., CASE-0001, CASE-0002) to ensure that no page goes missing and every document can be retrieved instantly.
How it Works
We iterate through every page of your uploaded PDFs. Starting from your chosen number, we draw a text overlay in the margin of the page. If you upload multiple files, the numbering continues sequentially from the end of the first file to the beginning of the second.
How to Apply Bates Stamps
- Upload: Select one or multiple PDF files (e.g., exhibits).
- Configure: Set your prefix (e.g., "DEFENDANT-"), starting number, and digit length.
- Position: Choose where the stamp appears (usually bottom-right).
- Process: Download your stamped files individually or as a ZIP archive.
Key Features
- Batch Processing: Upload 50 different files and number them continuously (File 1 ends at 10, File 2 starts at 11).
- Custom Formats: Support for prefixes, suffixes, and padding (001 vs 00001).
- Client-Side Security: Vital for legal work. Files are processed locally on your specific device.
Specifications
- Input: Multiple PDF files.
- Output: Bates-stamped PDFs.
- Font: Standard Helvetica (for clarity and compatibility).
Legal & Business Use
- Discovery: Labeling thousands of emails and contracts for court.
- Medical Records: Indexing patient history files for insurance claims.
- Corporate Mergers: Tracking due diligence documents in a data room.
Security & Confidentiality
Zero-Knowledge Processing. We understand legal privilege. Because our tool runs in your browser using WebAssembly, your documents never touch a third-party server. You can even disconnect your internet after the page loads and the tool will still work.
Free vs Premium
Free Version: Stamp unlimited pages with standard formatting.
Premium Version: (Future) Custom fonts, colors, and bates-stamping existing file names
onto the page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove Bates numbers later?
Once stamped and saved, the text becomes part of the PDF page content. You would need a PDF editor to manually delete them.
What if I change the order of files?
The numbering follows the order you upload or sort the files. Ensure your files are in the correct sequence before processing.
Does it cover existing text?
The stamp is placed in the margins. If your document has no margins (full-bleed), it might overlap content.
Related Tools
Documents ready? Merge PDF to combine exhibits into one binder, Compress PDF to meet court e-filing size limits, or Flatten PDF to prevent further editing.
Quick Summary
PDFPlug Bates Numbering is the secure, free alternative to expensive legal software.
Last updated: January 2026