An image forming apparatus is provided that easily allows for removal of paper jams, reduces space for disposing a locking means of a cover, and saves production costs relative to the locking means of a cover. The image forming apparatus forms an image on a printing medium and has a feeding unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, and an out-feed unit. The image forming apparatus includes a scanning unit that optically reads an image on a paper sheet and creates an electrical image signal. A rear cover is disposed downwardly of the scanning unit and substantially perpendicular to a flat surface of the scanning unit in an opening and closing manner. A top cover is disposed downwardly of the scanning unit and substantially parallel to the scanning unit. The top cover is connected to the rear cover in an opening and closing manner.