CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF AMERIS BANCORP (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 14,148	$ 15,627	$ 1,308	$ 9,764	$ 10,580	$ 11,663	$ 8,130	$ 8,350	$ 40,847	$ 38,723	$ 20,018
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Stock-based compensation expense									1,485	2,057	1,041
(Increase) decrease in interest payable									(327)	(49)	199
Decrease in tax receivable									9,033	(7,221)	(1,420)
Provision for deferred taxes									(344)	6,516	3,543
Other operating activities									12,904	5,104	1,749
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities									(25,223)	(5,596)	21,849
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Net cash provided by investing activities									(167,860)	31,170	63,253
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issuance of common stock									114,889	0	0
Purchase of treasury shares									732	474	116
Dividends paid preferred stock									0	286	1,400
Dividends paid common stock									6,439	4,016	0
Proceeds from other borrowings									0	118,963	175,000
Repayment of other borrowings									39,881	257,060	177,741
Repurchase of preferred stock									0	28,000	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									413,287	(123,154)	(91,096)
Net change in cash and due from banks									220,204	(97,580)	(5,994)
Cash and due from banks at beginning of year				78,036					78,036
Cash and due from banks at end of year	118,518				78,036				118,518	78,036
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the year for interest									15,183	14,667	9,938
Cash paid during the year for income taxes									5,828	19,281	16,925
Parent Company [Member]
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income									40,847	38,723	20,018
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Stock-based compensation expense									1,485	2,058	1,041
Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries									(34,740)	(13,831)	(19,531)
(Increase) decrease in interest payable									20	(214)	(5,300)
Decrease in tax receivable									(2,656)	(256)	(813)
Provision for deferred taxes									188	(426)	39
Other operating activities									866	(1,558)	(2,686)
Total adjustments									(34,837)	(14,227)	(27,250)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities									6,010	24,496	(7,232)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Investment in subsidiary									(60,000)	0	0
Net cash proceeds received from (paid for) acquisitions									(49,940)	144	249
Net cash provided by investing activities									(109,940)	144	249
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issuance of common stock									114,889	0	0
Purchase of treasury shares									(732)	(474)	(116)
Dividends paid preferred stock									0	(286)	(1,400)
Dividends paid common stock									(6,439)	(4,016)	0
Proceeds from other borrowings									0	14,000	10,000
Repayment of other borrowings									0	(9,005)	0
Repurchase of preferred stock									0	(28,000)	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options									1,191	459	410
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									108,909	(27,322)	8,894
Net change in cash and due from banks									4,979	(2,682)	1,911
Cash and due from banks at beginning of year				$ 868				$ 3,550	868	3,550	1,639
Cash and due from banks at end of year	$ 5,847				$ 868				5,847	868	3,550
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the year for interest									4,793	4,772	1,523
Cash paid during the year for income taxes									$ 0	$ 0	$ 0