Choosing a Bates Numbering Format: Prefixes, Padding, and Suffixes

The Three Parts of a Bates Number

A typical Bates number breaks down into a prefix, a sequential number, and sometimes a suffix — for example, ABC-000142-CONF. Each part serves a distinct purpose, and getting them right up front avoids having to redo a production later.

The Prefix

Usually identifies the producing party, case, or document custodian — something like SMITH, PLAINTIFF, or a client's initials. Keep it short (long prefixes eat into visible page space) and unambiguous if multiple parties or custodians are involved in the same matter, so the prefix alone tells you at a glance whose production a page came from.

Digit Padding

Padding pads the sequential number with leading zeros to a fixed width — 000001 instead of 1. This keeps every number the same visual length, which matters for sorting and scanning a list of references quickly. Choose enough digits to comfortably cover your anticipated total page count with room to spare; running out of digits partway through a large production forces an awkward format change mid-case.

Suffixes

An optional suffix can flag special handling — -CONF for confidential, -ATT for attorney's eyes only, or similar designations tied to a protective order. If your case involves a confidentiality designation scheme, building it into the Bates format itself makes the designation visible on every page at a glance, rather than relying solely on a separate stamp or legend.

Consistency Matters More Than Any Specific Choice

There's no single "correct" format — what matters is settling on one before your first production and staying consistent with it for the life of the case. A format that changes partway through creates exactly the kind of ambiguity Bates numbering exists to prevent.