Legal Tool Bates Stamp PDFsWithout Uploading Them Add sequential Bates numbers to legal PDFs for discovery, court filings, or document management. Processed entirely in your browser — your PDF never touches a server. 100% Client-Side · Attorney-Client Safe · Updated Mar 2026 CLIENT-SIDE ONLY PDF never leaves your browser · verify → bates-stamper.js — running in browser 📄 DROP PDF HERE OR CLICK TO SELECT PDF files only · Processed entirely in your browser STAMP OPTIONS // configure before downloading PREFIX START NUMBER PADDING DIGITS FONT SIZE (pt) POSITION Bottom Right Bottom Left Bottom Centre Top Right Top Left COLOUR Add Bates Numbers & Download → ⚖️ Legal discovery standard · 🔒 Zero uploads · ⚡ Runs on your device What Is Bates Stamping? Bates stamping is the process of adding sequential identification numbers — called Bates numbers — to every page of a legal document. The format is typically a prefix identifying the producing party plus a zero-padded number, for example SMITH-000042. It's required in litigation discovery so that every page can be uniquely referenced across depositions, motions, and court filings. Adobe Acrobat has been the industry standard for Bates stamping, but at $240/year it's a significant cost for solo practitioners, paralegals, and small firms who only need this one feature. This tool replicates the same output — permanently stamped text on every page — entirely in your browser using pdf-lib, with no upload required. Bates Stamper Comparison Tool File Uploaded? Free? Attorney-Client Safe? ResourceCentral Browser only Free, unlimited ✓ Yes Adobe Acrobat Local only $240/yr required ✓ Yes Sejda Uploads to server 50MB / 3 tasks/hr ✗ Risk DeftPDF Uploads to server 1 file at a time ✗ Risk BatesStamp.com Browser only Free ✓ Yes How to Bates Stamp a PDF 1 Drop your PDF Click the upload area above or drag your PDF in. The file loads into your browser's memory — it never leaves your device. 2 Set your prefix Enter your case prefix (e.g. SMITH- or DEF-), your starting number, and digit padding (e.g. 6 digits = 000001). 3 Choose position Select bottom-right, bottom-left, top-right, or top-left. Set font size and colour to match your firm's standard. 4 Download Click Add Bates Numbers & Download. Your stamped PDF is generated locally and downloads instantly. Attorney-Client Privilege & Cloud Tools ABA Model Rule 1.6 requires lawyers to make reasonable efforts to prevent unauthorized disclosure of client information. Uploading privileged documents to a third-party server — even temporarily — creates risk. When a tool processes your PDF in the browser, no third-party server is involved. This is the same principle as Adobe Acrobat, but free. FAQ Is it safe for confidential legal documents? + Yes. Your PDF is processed using pdf-lib entirely in your browser. No file is uploaded to any server. You can verify this by opening DevTools → Network tab and watching for zero outgoing file requests while stamping. Does this meet court discovery requirements? + Yes. The tool produces sequential Bates numbers with configurable prefix, zero-padding, and position — the standard format required for discovery productions. The output is a standard PDF with permanently embedded text, the same as Adobe Acrobat produces. Always review before filing to confirm your jurisdiction's specific requirements. Can I stamp multiple PDFs with continuous numbering? + Yes. Note the last Bates number on each stamped document, then set the start number for the next document to continue the sequence. For example, if the first PDF ends at SMITH-000042, set the next document to start at 43. Does it work on Mac, Windows and Chromebook? + Yes. Because it runs in the browser using pdf-lib (JavaScript), it works on any operating system — Mac, Windows, Linux, Chromebook and iPad. No software installation required. Can it handle large discovery productions (500+ pages)? + Yes. Browser-based processing is limited only by your device's RAM, not an arbitrary server cap. Modern laptops handle 500MB+ PDFs comfortably. There's no upload timeout, no queue, and no "upgrade to process larger files." Stamp Your PDF Now No account. No uploads. Works on any device. ↑ Back to Tool