PURPOSE: To provide the method and device for molding an optical element which allow to precisely mold a resin layer so as to have the desired surface shape without developing the separations between glass member and the resin layer and between a mold member and the resin layer at the molding of the resin layer.

CONSTITUTION: The molding method of the optical element concerned is equipped with a first process for placing a glass member 30 on a supporting means 14, a second process for holding the surface 30a of the glass member 30 apart from the molding surface 12b of a mold member 12 by the predetermined distance and a thir process for relatively moving the mold member 12 and the supporting means 14 so as to independently support the glass member 30 on the resin layer 32 after the resin material, which is filled in a space predetermined between the molding surface 12b and the surface 30a, hardens up to the predetermined degree of polymerization.