How to Bates Number a PDF

Bates numbering applies a unique, sequential identifier to every page of a document so it can be referenced exactly during litigation. Here's how to add Bates numbers to your PDFs in your browser, with nothing uploaded to a server.

  1. Upload your PDF — or several PDFs at once. Your files stay on your device and are never uploaded.
  2. Set your prefix (for example, SMITH), your starting number, and the number of digits (six is standard, producing numbers like 000001).
  3. Reorder your files if needed. The numbering runs continuously across all of them, so the second file picks up where the first ended.
  4. Choose where the stamp appears — bottom right is the standard position.
  5. Click Stamp, then download your numbered PDFs. You'll see the first and last Bates number so you know where to start your next batch.

Because everything runs in your browser, your confidential documents never leave your computer — making this safe for privileged material and documents under a protective order.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bates numbering?
Bates numbering is a method of applying a unique, sequential identifier to each page of a document set, commonly used in legal discovery so that any page can be precisely referenced later. A Bates number usually combines an optional prefix with a zero-padded number, such as SMITH000001.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. BatesStamp processes your PDFs entirely in your browser. Your files are never uploaded to a server, never stored, and never seen by anyone but you. This makes it safe for confidential and privileged legal documents.
Is BatesStamp free?
Yes. You can Bates number documents up to 25 pages for free. An affordable license unlocks unlimited pages and a downloadable CSV audit log that maps each file to its Bates range.
What format should Bates numbers use?
There is no single official format, but the common convention is a prefix followed by a six-digit zero-padded number, placed in the bottom-right corner of each page — for example, ABC000457. BatesStamp lets you set your own prefix, starting number, and padding.
Can I Bates number multiple PDFs at once?
Yes. You can upload several files, arrange their order, and the numbering runs continuously across all of them, so the sequence never breaks between documents.
Does Bates numbering work on scanned documents?
Yes, the number is stamped onto every page including scanned images. Note that if a scanned PDF has no text layer, the stamp itself won't be searchable text — consider running OCR first if you need the numbers to be machine-readable.
How is this different from Adobe Acrobat?
Adobe Acrobat includes Bates numbering but requires a paid subscription and uploads or syncs files to its cloud. BatesStamp is a focused, lower-cost tool that runs entirely in your browser, so your files stay private and you don't need heavyweight software for a quick task.