A sheet-handling apparatus is disclosed that reliably separates sheet-like articles and prevents double take-outs, regardless of the thickness of the sheet-like articles that are taken out. The sheet-handling apparatus includes a take-out portion (1) to take out sheet-like articles (P), a feeding portion (51) to feed the sheet-like articles (P) that have been taken out by the take-out portion (1), and a separation portion (31) facing the feeding portion (51) across a gap (33), the separation portion (31) being adapted to separate sheet-like articles (P) that have been taken out by the take-out portion (1) in an overlapping state into individual sheet-like articles (P), wherein the separation portion (31) is adapted to elastically deform depending on a thickness of the sheet-like articles (P) and vary the size of the gap (33).