A substrate holding apparatus can meet the request for a smaller-sized compact apparatus while ensuring a sufficient immersion depth of a substrate in a processing liquid. The substrate holding apparatus includes: a substrate holder (84) for supporting a substrate (W) by bringing a peripheral portion of a surface of the substrate (W) into contact with a first sealing member (92); and a substrate pressing section (85) for lowering relative to the substrate holder (84) so as to press the substrate (W) held by the substrate holder (84) downward, thereby bringing the first sealing member (92) into pressure contact with the substrate (W); wherein the substrate pressing section (85) is provided with a second ring-shaped sealing member (170) which makes pressure contact with an upper surface of a ring-shaped holding section of the substrate holder (84), thereby sealing the peripheral region of the substrate pressing section (85).