Surrogate document indicator and methods of using same. A surrogate document image encoded on a storage medium as part of a database or repository of images includes a surrogate document image indicator. In example embodiments, images within the system, including surrogate document images are stored in tagged image file format (TIFF) and the TIFF header includes the surrogate document image indicator. When images are retrieved by an application from an archive or a check image management system, each one is programmatically examined to detect the presence of the surrogate document image indicator. If necessary, the image with the indicator is treated as an exception.