Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Mar. 25, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	NOVATION COMPANIES, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001025953
Trading Symbol	novc
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		101,577,893
Entity Public Float			$ 1,888,796
Entity Shell Company	false
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false