An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier; a toner image forming section; a transfer section which transfers the toner image onto a transfer sheet; a separation section which separates the transfer sheet from the image carrier; and a process cartridge which holds the image carrier, the toner image forming section, the transfer section, and the separation section as a unit detachable from a main unit of the image forming apparatus. The separation section includes a resin guide member which is a base for the separation section, a separation pawl for separating a transfer sheet from the image carrier, a metal reference plate fixed to the resin guide member and a resin engaging member fixed to the reference plate. The resin engaging member engages with a process cartridge member which supports the separation section allowing the separation section to move in an axial direction of the image carrier.