What types of documents work best?

Family letters, vital records, military papers, diplomas, diaries, newspaper clippings, legal declarations, manuscripts, and census pages. Handwritten cursive, typed forms, and mixed layouts are all supported. Very large missing areas or extremely damaged originals may need a human specialist — we can point you there.

What file types can I upload?

JPG, PNG, WebP, and PDF up to 50MB. Multi-page PDFs are split into individual pages automatically. For best results, use a flat, well-lit scan or photo with the full page in frame.

How fast is document restoration?

Most single-page documents finish in about 60 seconds. Multi-page PDFs are processed page by page. Very large files or busy periods can take a bit longer, but you can leave the tab open and we will update your preview as each page completes.

What types of damage can you fix?

We routinely improve fading ink, yellowed paper, foxing, stains, mild water damage, creases, folds, uneven lighting, and low contrast. We preserve original paper texture rather than replacing the document with a sterile white sheet.

How accurate is the transcription?

We provide a diplomatic transcript — spelling, abbreviations, and archaic forms stay as written. Uncertain words are flagged with confidence marks so you can verify them against the scan. Suggested reconstructions are shown separately and are never merged silently into the transcript.

Does the AI invent missing text?

No. We flag uncertainty prominently. If a word is illegible, we mark it rather than guess. Any suggested completions are clearly labeled for your review and kept separate from the diplomatic transcript.

What is a diplomatic transcript?

A diplomatic transcript records the text exactly as it appears on the original, including old spellings, line breaks, and abbreviations. It is the standard approach in genealogy and archival work when fidelity to the source matters more than modernized readability.

Do you support multi-page PDFs?

Yes. PDFs are split client-side, then each page is restored and transcribed individually. You pay one document price that includes up to three pages, with a per-page rate for additional pages in the same upload.

How does pricing work?

One document costs $9.99 and includes restoration plus transcription for up to three pages. Each additional page in the same document is $3.33. You see the total before you pay — no surprise add-ons at checkout. Example: a 7-page diary upload is $9.99 for the first three pages plus $3.33 × 4 extra pages = $23.31 total.

Can I preview before paying?

Yes. Page one is restored and transcribed so you can judge quality before you unlock the full document. The preview is watermarked; after payment you get full-resolution images, the complete transcript, exports, and any additional pages.

Are document credits separate from photo credits?

Yes. Photo restoration and document restoration use separate wallets. Photo credits cannot pay for documents and vice versa. Signed-in users can buy document credit packs from the document dashboard when that is the better fit for their workflow.

Do you have document credit packs?

Yes, for returning users and small batches: • 1 page — $2.99 • 3 pages — $5.99 • 10 pages — $9.99 • 50 pages — $29.99 Bundle discounts apply when you buy the pack — not when you pay per document three separate times. Large archives and professionals should reach out for custom pricing.

I am a family historian or genealogist — is this for me?

Absolutely. The product is built for people reading inherited letters, vital records, and family archives. You get a readable image, a faithful transcript, damage notes, and contextual hints — without mailing originals to a lab.

I am an archivist, librarian, or professional — do you have options for me?

Yes. Professionals working with larger collections can book a free consultation to plan volume, output formats, preservation priorities, and workflow. We also offer custom restoration for complex projects. Email pro@imagerestoreai.com or use our special request form with sample pages and your project scope.

I have a large archive or special project — how do I reach out?

Use our special request form on this page to describe your collection, timeline, and output needs — you can attach sample scans. For faster routing on professional or high-volume work, email pro@imagerestoreai.com. We typically respond within 24–48 hours with next steps or a personalized quote.

Can I request human-led or custom restoration?

Yes. When AI alone is not the right fit — heavy damage, unusual scripts, exhibit-quality output, or a curated family book — submit a custom request through our special request form. Our lead restorer reviews the material and follows up with options and pricing.

Why AI instead of a manual transcription service?

Manual transcription and conservation are unmatched for the hardest cases. For most family and archive scans, AI is faster, far more affordable, and available immediately. You still get human support for edge cases, refunds, and custom projects.

Why choose ImageRestoreAI for documents?

We combine restoration and transcription in one pass, preserve historical fidelity, show confidence on uncertain words, and let you preview before you pay. Unlike plain OCR tools, we repair the page image — not just extract text.

Can I use this for legal or official purposes?

This tool helps you read, organize, and preserve records. It does not certify legal validity, chain of custody, or courtroom admissibility. Always verify important conclusions against the original document and consult a qualified professional when stakes are high.

What about living persons in documents?

We recommend uploading historical records. Please respect privacy when sharing restored content publicly, especially for recent documents that may identify living people.

Will you change my original upload?

No. We work on a copy in private storage. Your upload is never overwritten. You control deletion from your account when you are finished.

Who owns the restored document and transcript?

You do. After unlock, the restored images, transcript, and exports are yours to download, print, and share.

Is my data private and secure?

Yes. Files are encrypted in transit, stored in private buckets, and accessed only through ownership-aware signed URLs. We do not sell or share your documents.

How long do you keep my files?

Documents stay in your private archive while your account is active so you can re-download results. You can delete items when you no longer need them.

Can I download print-ready files and exports?

Yes — after unlock you can download restored images, plain text, and combined reports suitable for printing or sharing with family members.

What if I am not happy with the result?

Contact support@imagerestoreai.com within 14 days for a free re-run or refund. Include your document ID if you have it. We want the transcript to be genuinely useful, not just technically complete.

I have more questions — how do I contact you?

Real people here. Email support@imagerestoreai.com, message us on Messenger or Instagram, or use our special request form for project-specific questions. Professionals and large projects: pro@imagerestoreai.com. We typically reply within a few hours.

4.9from 1,500+ reviews✦ 250,000+ documents restoredTrusted by genealogists, archivists & family historians

ImageRestoreAI

Restore Old Documents.We restore letters, certificates, diplomas, diaries, journals, newspapers, records, and manuscripts.

Upload a scan or photo of a letter, certificate, or archive page. We repair fading, tears and stains, extract an exact transcript with confidence marks, and add historical context — without inventing history.

Upload your document for free

Drag & drop or click to browse

JPG, PNG, WEBP, PDF up to 50MB

No credit card needed · Private · Files stay private & secure

“I finally read my great-grandmother's letters. The transcript caught names I had missed for years — and flagged the words it wasn't sure about.”
Melissa R.
Family Historian · Chattanooga, Tennessee

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What We Restore

Restored Image

Repair tears, stains, and fading while preserving original paper texture.

Readable Transcription

AI-extracted, searchable text from faded handwriting and print.

Confidence Marks

Uncertain words highlighted — we never hide what we are not sure about.

Contextual Notes

Historical clues to help you understand what you are reading.

Print-Ready Downloads

High-resolution files suitable for framing or archive binders.

Searchable Text

Find names and dates across your entire document collection.

The Archive

See the Transformation

01 · Letters & Correspondence

Before

After

← Drag anywhere →

Wartime Letter

United Kingdom · 1942

96% recovered

02 · Certificates & Diplomas

Before

After

← Drag anywhere →

West Point Diploma

United States · 1917

94% recovered

03 · Military Records & Discharge Papers

Before

After

← Drag anywhere →

Revolutionary Muster Roll

United States · 1780

90% recovered

04 · Diaries & Journals

Before

After

← Drag anywhere →

Winter Journal

United Kingdom · 1809

92% recovered

05 · Newspaper Clippings

Before

After

← Drag anywhere →

Election Front Page

United States · 1936

95% recovered

06 · Legal & Court Documents

Before

After

← Drag anywhere →

The U.S. Constitution

United States · 1787

93% recovered

07 · Manuscripts & Historical Notes

Before

After

← Drag anywhere →

Charles Dickens Letter

United Kingdom · 1864

97% recovered

Why Choose Us

Better technology.
More history. Truer results.

We never hide uncertainty. Suggested reconstructions stay separate from the exact transcript.

Features	Generic OCR	Photo Editors
Restores physical damage (tears, stains, folds)		partial
Restores faded handwriting
Multi-script & cursive reading	partial
Preserves original paper texture
Adds contextual historical notes
Instant preview before payment
No need to mail originals
Download & print-ready output	partial

Frequently Asked Questions

Uploads, transcription, pricing, privacy, professional projects, and how to reach our team.

Upload a scan or photo of a historical document — a letter, certificate, diary page, or archive record. Our AI repairs fading, stains, folds, and legibility issues, then produces a readable restored image plus an exact transcript with confidence marks. You preview page one first; unlock the full document when you are ready.

Ready to restore your documents?

Preserve today. Inspire tomorrow.

Upload your document for free

Drag & drop or click to browse

JPG, PNG, WEBP, PDF up to 50MB

No credit card needed · Private · Files stay private & secure