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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 wRjd5C/4hKUIfwt5+i7ybw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000036047-03-000005.txt : 20030711
<SEC-HEADER>0000036047-03-000005.hdr.sgml : 20030711
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030711161747
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000036047-03-000005
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030710
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030711

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			VALDES MAX O
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001219307

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13585
		FILM NUMBER:		03783945

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1 FIRST AMERICAN WAY
		CITY:			SANTA ANA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92707

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FIRST AMERICAN CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000036047
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TITLE INSURANCE [6361]
		IRS NUMBER:				951068610
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1 FIRST AMERICAN WAY
		CITY:			SANTA ANA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92707
		BUSINESS PHONE:		714-800-3000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1 FIRST AMERICAN WAY
		CITY:			SANTA ANA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92707

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	FIRST AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	FIRST AMERICAN TITLE INSURANCE & TRUST C
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19690515
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>val186.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
	<periodOfReport>2003-07-10</periodOfReport>
	<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000036047</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FIRST AMERICAN CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>(FAF)</issuerTradingSymbol>
	</issuer>
	<reportingOwner>
		<reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001219307</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>VALDES MAX O</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
			<isDirector>0</isDirector>
			<isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
			<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
			<isOther>0</isOther>
			<officerTitle>Vice President</officerTitle>
		</reportingOwnerRelationship>
	</reportingOwner>
	<derivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>Employee Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<value>21.890</value>
		</conversionOrExercisePrice>
		<transactionDate>
			<value>2003-03-12</value>
		</transactionDate>
		<transactionCoding>
			<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
			<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
			<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
		</transactionCoding>
		<transactionAmounts>
			<transactionShares>
				<value>7500</value>
			</transactionShares>
			<transactionValue>
				<value>0</value>
			</transactionValue>
			<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
				<value>A</value>
			</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
		</transactionAmounts>
		<exerciseDate>
			<value>2004-03-12</value>
			<footnoteId id="F1"/>
		</exerciseDate>
		<expirationDate>
			<value>2013-03-12</value>
		</expirationDate>
		<underlyingSecurity>
			<underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<value>Common Stock</value>
			</underlyingSecurityTitle>
			<underlyingSecurityShares>
				<value>7500.000</value>
			</underlyingSecurityShares>
		</underlyingSecurity>
		<postTransactionAmounts>
			<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
				<value>7500.000</value>
			</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
		</postTransactionAmounts>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</derivativeSecurity>
	<derivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>Employee Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<value>24.670</value>
		</conversionOrExercisePrice>
		<transactionDate>
			<value>2003-04-01</value>
		</transactionDate>
		<transactionCoding>
			<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
			<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
			<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
		</transactionCoding>
		<transactionAmounts>
			<transactionShares>
				<value>7500</value>
			</transactionShares>
			<transactionValue>
				<value>0</value>
			</transactionValue>
			<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
				<value>A</value>
			</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
		</transactionAmounts>
		<exerciseDate>
			<value>2004-04-01</value>
			<footnoteId id="F2"/>
		</exerciseDate>
		<expirationDate>
			<value>2013-04-01</value>
		</expirationDate>
		<underlyingSecurity>
			<underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<value>Common Stock</value>
			</underlyingSecurityTitle>
			<underlyingSecurityShares>
				<value>7500.000</value>
			</underlyingSecurityShares>
		</underlyingSecurity>
		<postTransactionAmounts>
			<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
				<value>7500.000</value>
			</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
		</postTransactionAmounts>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</derivativeSecurity>
	<footnotes>
		<footnote id="F1">The option vests in five equal annual increments commencing 3/12/04, the first anniversary of the grant.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F2">The option vests in five equal annual increments commencing 04/01/04, the anniversary of the grant.</footnote>
	</footnotes>
	<ownerSignature>
		<signatureName>By: Kathleen M. Collins, Attorney In Fact For</signatureName>
		<signatureDate>2003-07-11</signatureDate>
	</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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