A sheet-handling apparatus is disclosed that reliably separates sheet-like articles and prevents double take-outs, regardless of the thickness of the sheet-like articles that are taken out. The sheet-handling apparatus includes a take-out portion to take out sheet-like articles; a feeding portion to feed the sheet-like articles that have been taken out by the take-out portion; and a separation portion facing the feeding portion across a gap, the separation portion being adapted to separate sheet-like articles that have been taken out by the take-out portion in an overlapping state into individual sheet-like articles; wherein the separation portion is adapted to elastically deform depending on a thickness of the sheet-like articles and vary the size of the gap.