Add Bates Numbering to PDF Documents
Apply Bates numbering to PDF documents — add sequential, prefixed page numbers to a court bundle, disclosure pack, or evidence file with full control over format and position.
Why teams use Bates Numbering PDF
Bates numbering is the standard way to identify pages within legal disclosure: every page gets a unique sequential number, usually prefixed with a case identifier or party name. This tool stamps your PDFs with Bates numbers in a configurable format — prefix, starting number, number length (zero-padded), suffix, and font size — and positions the number in any corner of the page or in a header/footer. Multiple files can be processed in a single run with the numbering continuing across files in the order you drop them.
Common formats handled out of the box: SMITH000001, ABC-CASE-00045, DEF/2024/000123. Numbering can skip pages that are already exhibits (preserving their original references), restart at a chosen number for each file, or run continuously across an entire bundle. The stamped numbers are added as flattened text so they cannot be removed accidentally and are visible in every PDF reader, including print.
Used by litigation teams, in-house legal counsel, regulatory submissions to the FCA/SFO/HMRC, and forensic accountants preparing evidence bundles. Files are uploaded over TLS, deleted within an hour, and never logged — important when the documents being numbered are subject to litigation privilege.
How it works
- Upload Documents — Drop your PDFs
- Configure Numbering — Set prefix and starting number
- Download Numbered PDF — Ready to share
Key benefits
- Sequential Bates numbering on every page
- Customizable prefix (e.g., SMITH-0001)
- Useful for document review workflows
- Flexible placement options
- Confidential processing
- Files auto-deleted — no storage
Common use cases
- Document review and production
- Exhibit preparation
- Reference numbering for bundles
Frequently asked questions
- Is Bates Numbering PDF free to use?
- Yes — your first conversion is free with no signup. For heavier use, DocumePro offers a £9.99 24-hour Day Pass and a £39.99/month Professional plan with unlimited conversions.
- Are my files kept after I use Bates Numbering PDF?
- No. Every uploaded file is permanently deleted from DocumePro servers within 60 minutes under our Non-Persistence Guarantee. Nothing is retained, shared, or used to train AI models.
- Do I need to install any software?
- No — Bates Numbering PDF runs entirely in your browser. There's nothing to install and no plug-in required. It works on Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.
- Is DocumePro suitable for UK legal, finance and accounting teams?
- Yes. DocumePro is UK GDPR-aligned, hosted on UK/EU infrastructure, and built specifically for solicitors, accountants, bookkeepers and finance teams that handle sensitive client documents.
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Upload your bundle PDFs above, set the Bates prefix and starting number, and download the stamped, sequentially numbered files — ready for disclosure.