The invention relates to a method and a device (1) for verifying luminescent value documents (BN), particularly banknotes, by means of a luminescence sensor (12). The value document that is to be verified is irradiated in order to excite luminescent radiation, and the luminescent radiation emitted by the value document is detected in a spectrally resolved manner. In order to be able to effectively measure also value documents emitting very little luminescent radiation, the value document (BN) that is to be verified and is conveyed past the luminescence sensor (12) in the direction of conveyance (T) is illuminated with an illumination area (35) which extends in the direction of conveyance (T).
