Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 6) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013 item	Mar. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 item	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012 item
Income (Loss) Per Share-Basic and Diluted
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	$ 27,538		$ 41,441	$ 45,888	$ 102,514
Total (loss) income from discontinued operations (see Note 10)	(98)		(2,524)	2,086	(7,617)
Net income (loss) attributable to Iron Mountain Incorporated	26,564		38,055	45,950	93,405
Weighted-average shares-basic	190,823,000		171,296,000	190,518,000	171,308,000
Effect of dilutive potential stock options (in shares)	1,337,423		753,385	1,366,265	737,087
Effect of dilutive potential restricted stock, RSUs and PUs (in shares)	408,103		181,292	455,039	181,580
Weighted-average shares-diluted	192,569,000		172,231,000	192,339,000	172,227,000
Earnings (Losses) per share-basic:
Income (Loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.14		$ 0.24	$ 0.24	$ 0.60
Total (loss) income from discontinued operations (see Note 10) (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00		$ (0.01)	$ 0.01	$ (0.04)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Iron Mountain Incorporated (in dollars per share)	$ 0.14		$ 0.22	$ 0.24	$ 0.55
Earnings (Losses) per share-diluted:
Income (Loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.14		$ 0.24	$ 0.24	$ 0.60
Total (loss) income from discontinued operations (see Note 10) (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00		$ (0.01)	$ 0.01	$ (0.04)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Iron Mountain Incorporated (in dollars per share)	$ 0.14		$ 0.22	$ 0.24	$ 0.54
Antidilutive stock options, RSUs and PUs, excluded from the calculation (in shares)	319,158		1,885,060	289,728	1,965,338
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Credit Memo Reserves
The general period to charge-off uncollectible balances of receivable, as circumstances warrant, is no later than this period of time past due				1 year
Income Taxes:
Effective tax rates (as a percent)	48.60%		54.20%	58.50%	42.00%
Federal statutory tax rate (as a percent)	35.00%		35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Increase in effective income tax rate (as a percent)	2.50%		10.20%	12.80%	0.90%
Discrete tax benefit attributable to the exception of certain foreign earnings from U.S. federal taxation		4,025
Increase (reduction) in gross interest and penalties recorded	176		247	721	(2)
Accrued interest and penalties recorded	4,166			4,166		3,554
Book over tax outside basis differences related to Canadian subsidiaries						577
Reclassification of long-term deferred income tax liabilities	20,658			20,658
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Number of global banks with cash, cash equivalent and restricted cash held on deposit	5			5		5
Number of "Triple A" rated money market funds with cash, cash equivalent and restricted cash held on deposit	6			6		2
Maximum investment limit in any one mutual fund				50,000
Maximum investment limit in any one financial institution				75,000
Cash, cash equivalent and restricted cash	292,479			292,479		277,027
Money market funds and time deposits	$ 231,245			$ 231,245		$ 218,629