A form processing apparatus extracts layout information and character information from a form document. A candidate extracting unit extracts word candidates from the character information. A frequency digitizing unit calculates emission probability of a word candidate from each element. A relation digitizing unit calculates transition probability that relationship between word candidates is established. An evaluating unit calculates an evaluation value indicative of a probability of appearance of word candidates in respective logical elements. A determining unit determines the element and a word candidate thereof as the element and a character string thereof in the form document, based on the evaluation value.