An image collating apparatus includes a storage device and a processor. The storage device stores data representing a sensing image, data representing a template image, and a program. The processor detects exclusion areas in the sensing image to be excluded from the image collation operation based on classification of image patterns. The processor determines whether or not the sensing image and the template image are derived from the identical object by performing template-matching operations to evaluate similarity between the template image and partial images of the sensing image in different levels with increasing the size of area covered by the partial image to be matched with the template image level by level. At least in one level the processor performs the template-matching operation with respect to the partial image where the exclusion areas are excluded.