The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing sheet material, in particular bank notes, papers of value and the like.In the inventive apparatus, an automatic return of sheet material to a second or, generally speaking, further check is provided, which obtains relief for an operator of the apparatus. The relief results from a reduction of the rate of indeterminable cases or the total sheet material to be manually reworked, since any disturbances or faulty operating conditions existing at the time of a first or, generally speaking, prior check of sheet material normally no longer exist, or exist in a changed form, at the time of a second or, generally speaking, further check of the sheet material. The correct check and assignment of the sheet material is thus possible in the second or, generally speaking, further check.