Abstract: The apparatus has separating elements (1) which are fastened at regular intervals to a rotating endless V-belt (21) and which, at the counting station (34), individually separate the note to be counted and temporarily keep it in the counting position. The notes bundled to form a packet rest on edge on a packet holder (35 to 38) which is displaceable transversely relative to the direction of movement of the separating elements (1). The separating elements (1) have a suction face (2) which, during the straight run past the counting station (34), sucks up an upper edge strip of the note to be counted and is made curved in such a way that the edge strip at the same time experiences torsional deformation, thereby being lifted off from the remaining packet. As a result of the spring-back force intrinsic to the notes and counted to torsional deformation, separating errors are reliably prevented in this way.