A verification apparatus includes: a detection section that detects some or all of junction points, endpoints and turning points of a physical trait of a body part on an input image as feature points, the physical trait being used for verification; and a search section that searches a registered image of the physical trait for a pattern that is the same as or similar to a pattern of the feature points in a center area of the image whose vertical center line is perpendicular to the direction of motion of the physical trait that horizontally moves on a surface on which the body part is put, the registered image being taken along a curved surface of the body part and the center area being between two lines each of which is a predetermined distance away from the center line in opposite directions.