How to Add Bates Numbering
Bates numbering is the standard identification system used in legal discovery, court filings, and regulatory document production to assign a unique sequential identifier to every page in a document set. Each page receives a stamp like 'SMITH-001234' that permanently marks it for reference during depositions, trial testimony, and legal correspondence. SublimePDF applies Bates stamps with customizable prefixes, suffixes, digit padding, and positioning.
Follow the step-by-step instructions below, then use the free tool directly — no registration or download required.
Open Tool →How to Add Bates Numbering — Step by Step
Upload your documents
Open the Bates Numbering tool and upload one or more PDFs that need sequential stamping. If uploading multiple files, arrange them in the order they should be numbered — the sequence continues across files.
Set the Bates number format
Configure the prefix (e.g., 'SMITH-', 'CASE2024-', 'EXH-'), starting number (usually 000001), number of digits for zero-padding (6 digits is standard for large productions), and an optional suffix.
Position the stamp
Choose where the Bates number appears on each page — bottom right is the legal convention, but you can select any corner or center position. Set the font size (8–10pt), color (black is standard), and margin offset from the page edge.
Configure page range
Apply numbering to all pages or exclude specific pages like cover sheets or separator pages. For multi-document uploads, preview the numbering sequence to verify continuity across file boundaries.
Preview and verify
Scroll through the preview paying attention to the first and last page of each document to confirm the sequence is continuous and formatted correctly. Verify that the stamp doesn't overlap existing content.
Apply and download
Click 'Apply Bates Numbers' to stamp every page. Download individual files (each retaining its original name) or a combined single PDF. The tool provides a Bates index log showing which numbers correspond to which document and page.
Pro Tips
- 💡 Use 6-digit padding (e.g., 000001) even for small document sets — it keeps numbers uniform and avoids having to redo numbering if additional documents are produced later.
- 💡 Include the case name or party identifier in the prefix to prevent confusion when multiple cases or parties produce documents with overlapping number ranges.
- 💡 Save the Bates index log alongside your documents. Opposing counsel and the court will reference specific Bates numbers during depositions and hearings, and the log maps numbers to source files.
- 💡 Place Bates stamps in the footer area with sufficient margin (at least 0.5 inches from the bottom edge) so they don't interfere with existing page numbers or document content.
Privacy & Security
All processing happens directly in your browser. Your files are never uploaded to any server — they remain on your device throughout the entire process. SublimePDF uses WebAssembly technology for fast, secure, client-side processing.
Works Everywhere
This tool works on any modern browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge — on desktop, tablet, or mobile. No software to install. PDF is an open ISO standard supported by all major platforms.
How to Add Bates Numbering — FAQ
What is Bates numbering used for?
Can I continue Bates numbering across multiple PDFs?
Is there a standard format for Bates numbers?
Can I add Bates numbers to scanned documents?
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