Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	May 12, 2021
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	NOVATION COMPANIES, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001025953
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		116,655,893
Entity Shell Company	false
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2021
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Title of 12(g) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value