Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Nov. 11, 2021
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Central Index Key	0001025953
Entity Registrant Name	NOVATION COMPANIES, INC.
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2021
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-13533
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MD
Entity Tax Identification Number	74-2830661
Entity Address, Address Line One	9229 Ward Parkway, Suite 340
Entity Address, City or Town	Kansas City
Entity Address, State or Province	MO
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	64114
City Area Code	816
Local Phone Number	237-7000
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		116,155,893