An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit configured to form an image onto an image forming medium based on received print data by using a cartridge removably provided, a cartridge determination unit configured to determine whether an MICR cartridge is inserted as the cartridge, a determination unit configured to compare a password input by an password input unit and a password registered in a password storage unit and determine whether an image forming process of the received print data is allowed to be performed, and a control unit configured to temporarily stop processing the print data, cause the notification unit to send the notification to input the password, and perform an MICR image forming control process that causes the image forming unit to resume the processing of the print data.