A personal identification apparatus includes an image sensing device, collation determination circuit, and recognition unit. The image sensing device senses at least part of the face of an identification target. The collation determination circuit collates image pattern information output from the image sensing device with registered pattern information of at least part of the face and outputs an authentication result. The recognition unit causes the identification target to recognize that at least part of the face is located in the focus range of the image sensing device. The recognition unit includes a point source, and a light-shielding member. The light-shielding member is arranged between the point source and the identification target to make the point source invisible or visible from the identification target only when at least part of the face is located in the focus range of the image sensing device and make the point source visible or invisible at another portion.