Abstract: To identify the orientation of specified documents, such as checks bearing magnetic ink markings, steps are taken to magnetize ink markings associated with the document, and to then detect magnetized ink markings on the document to develop electrical signals which can then be subjected to processing for identifying the orientation of the document based upon certain preestablished criteria. The result is a stand-alone device adapted to operate upon documents which are contained within envelopes to be subjected to an extraction procedure, prior to extraction from the envelopes, achieving a pre-processing of envelopes to identify those which contain the specified documents, and the orientation of the identified documents. The device is similarly adapted to operate upon the extracted documents, to identify those requiring special handling, and their orientation.