Abstract: A method for reading and sorting documents is provided which generally comprises staging each document for processing, capturing a digital image of the front side and the back side of each document, determining the physical orientation of each document using digital orientation recognition software and possibly hardware, reading the information from a digital image of each document, sorting the documents by orientation, and then communicating the information read from each document to a posting system. Additionally, the image of the document can be automatically oriented and then read. The documents, among other things, can include checks and coupons. When the document is a bank check, the method further comprises endorsing the check, printing an audit trail for the check, sorting the check by orientation, preparing a cash letter and sending the check to the bank.