The present invention relates to an apparatus (1) for examining documents (2), in particular banknotes. Therein the apparatus (1) comprises at least one light source (3), at least one spectral device (8) and at least two detection devices (9, 10, 11, 24). By means of the light source (3) the document (2) is irradiated and the light emitted and/or reflected and/or transmitted by the document (2) is subsequently divided into spectral components by means of the spectral device (8). The spectral components are separately detected by the detection devices. The spectral division of the light (4) emanating from the light source (3) can also be carried out before the light impinges on the document (2). The apparatus (1) is designed so as to individually weight the spectral components to be detected respectively by the detection devices (9, 10, 11, 24).