Exports and court submissions.
Create professional, court-ready exhibit packets with Bates numbering and authentication.
Quick export
Select evidence → click Export → choose format → download
Print ready
Generate print-optimized packets with separator pages
Creating export packets
Export packets bundle your evidence into court-ready packages with professional formatting and authentication.
Creating an export
- Select evidence: Check the items to include (or select all)
- Click "Export" from the toolbar
- Configure options:
- Bates numbering prefix and starting number
- Include or exclude authentication certificates
- Output format (PDF, ZIP, or both)
- Generate: Processing takes 1–5 minutes depending on size
- Download: Links are sent via email and available in the dashboard
What's included
Each export packet contains:
- Index/table of contents: Numbered list with descriptions
- Evidence files: Original files with Bates stamps
- Authentication certificates: Per-item verification (optional)
- Chain of custody report: Complete audit trail (optional)
- Summary sheet: Case and export details
Bates numbering
Bates numbering assigns unique identifiers to each page for easy reference during proceedings.
Configuration options
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Prefix | Text before the number (e.g., "SMITH-" → SMITH-0001) |
| Starting number | First number in sequence (default: 1) |
| Digits | Zero-padding (4 digits = 0001, 6 = 000001) |
| Suffix | Optional text after number |
| Position | Where stamp appears (bottom-right default) |
Best practices
- Use a case-specific prefix (party name or case number)
- Leave room for growth — if you expect 500+ pages, use 6 digits
- Keep consistent formatting across all case exports
- Document your numbering scheme in case notes
Example: With prefix "JONES-" and starting number 1, your first exhibit would be JONES-0001, second JONES-0002, etc.
Export formats
Choose the format that works best for your court's requirements.
Available formats
PDF package
All evidence combined into a single PDF with bookmarks and index. Best for email submission and e-filing.
- Bates stamps embedded on each page
- Clickable table of contents
- OCR-searchable text
- Reduced file sizes for images
ZIP archive
Original files in a compressed folder structure. Best when original quality matters.
- Original files preserved exactly
- Organized in numbered folders
- Includes index spreadsheet (CSV)
- Certificates as separate PDFs
Print-ready
Optimized for physical printing with proper margins and sizing.
- High-resolution output
- Consistent page sizing
- Tab/separator pages included
- Color and black-and-white options
Court requirements
Different courts have specific requirements for evidence submission. Family Evidence supports common standards.
Common requirements
| Requirement | How we handle it |
|---|---|
| PDF/A format | Available for long-term archival compliance |
| File size limits | Split option for large packages |
| OCR text | Searchable text layer added automatically |
| Bookmarks | Per-exhibit bookmarks in combined PDFs |
| Certification | Authentication certificates included |
E-filing compatibility
Our exports are compatible with major e-filing systems:
- CM/ECF (federal courts)
- Tyler Odyssey
- File & Serve
- State-specific systems
Check your jurisdiction: Court requirements vary. Always verify local rules for evidence submission format before filing.