The present invention concerns a method and an apparatus for accepting bank notes.In accepting bank notes by means of an apparatus for accepting bank notes it is assumed that the bank notes are inserted in an input pocket, the bank notes are singled by means of a singling device and transported by means of a transportation device, in order to check the individual bank notes by means of a sensor device, and, in dependence on the checking, store them in at least one storage container or return them in the case that it is impossible to check them, wherein returned bank notes can be inserted in the input pocket again, and an instruction to accept and store the returned bank notes is inputted, whereupon these are accepted and stored in the at least one storage container.