An optical scanning apparatus scans a surface to be scanned in a main scanning direction by simultaneously using a plurality of optical spots formed of a plurality of optical beams emitted from an illuminant, comprising: a light path deflecting part deflecting a light path of at least one of the optical beams, wherein the light path deflecting part is provided in light paths of the optical beams wherein the light path deflecting part may use a liquid crystal deflecting element formed of a liquid crystal element being controllable by an electronic signal to deflect the light path of the one of the optical beams.