To provide a processing method for a silver halide color photosensitive material by which white background properties corresponding to various types of printing papers can be reproduced, and which enhances image determination accuracy; and also to provide an image forming apparatus for a silver halide color photosensitive material.

In the processing method for a silver halide color photosensitive material in which a silver halide color photosensitive material having a yellow developing layer, a magenta developing layer and a cyan developing layer on a reflective support is processed using an automatic processor while replenishing a replenisher solution; a washing step or a stabilizing step has a plurality of processing tanks; at least one processing tank in the washing step or the stabilizing step has a mechanism for independently controlling processing conditions; an independent means to replenish a replenisher solution and a waste liquid means; and the white background of the silver halide color photosensitive material is controlled by the mechanism for controlling processing conditions and the means to replenish a replenisher solution.