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How to prepare exhibits for a court filing

Combine, Bates-number, and archive your exhibits into one court-ready PDF.

For: Paralegals, litigators, and self-represented filers assembling an exhibit bundle
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STEP BY STEP

The workflow

1
Combine the exhibits in order
Merge each exhibit into one file in the order they're referenced. Drag the thumbnails to lock the sequence before you combine.
Open Merge PDFs
2
Apply Bates numbering
Run Bates Numbers to stamp sequential identifiers (e.g. ABC-000001) across every page — the standard way courts and opposing counsel cite a specific page.
Open Bates Numbering
3
Add a page-number footer (optional)
If your jurisdiction wants plain page numbers in addition to Bates stamps, add them as a footer positioned so it won't collide with the Bates field.
Open Add Page Numbers
4
Convert to PDF/A for filing
Many e-filing systems require PDF/A for archival integrity. Convert as the final step so fonts and layout are embedded and locked.
Open Convert to PDF/A
WHY IT MATTERS

The case for doing this

An exhibit bundle only works if every page can be cited unambiguously and rendered identically by the court, opposing counsel, and the record years later. That's what this workflow delivers: a single merged file in the referenced order, Bates numbering as the citation backbone so 'ABC-000142' always points to the same page, and PDF/A output that embeds fonts and locks layout the way most e-filing systems require. Getting the order and the numbering right before you file matters — a late re-order shifts every Bates number and breaks your references. Because merging and the page tools run in your browser, privileged and sealed material stays on your device. This is a document-preparation workflow, not legal advice: confirm page-size, numbering, and format requirements against your court's local rules before filing.

COMMON MISTAKES

What to avoid

Bates-numbering before the order is final
Stamp last. If you re-order or add an exhibit after Bates numbering, every downstream number shifts and your citations break.
Letting Bates stamps overlap content
Place the Bates field in a clear margin — bottom-right is conventional — so it never covers exhibit text or a signature.
Ignoring the court's format rules
Page-size, PDF/A, and numbering conventions vary by court. Check the local rules first — the tools handle the mechanics, not the jurisdiction's requirements.
TIPS FOR THE BEST RESULTS

What works

Keep an un-stamped master
Bates-number a copy, not your only file, so you can re-stamp cleanly if the exhibit list changes.
Make scanned exhibits searchable first
If exhibits are scans, OCR them so the whole bundle is text-searchable for everyone working the case.
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FAQ

Questions about this workflow

A sequential page identifier — usually a prefix plus a zero-padded number — stamped on every page so any page can be cited unambiguously across a case.

Try the workflow on a real PDF

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