-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 s97T1vWwn9xs3p+pIj+amg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-09-023117.txt : 20091119
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-09-023117.hdr.sgml : 20091119
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20091119202655
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-09-023117
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20091118
FILED AS OF DATE:		20091119
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20091119

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SKILLING DAVID VAN
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001193396

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13585
		FILM NUMBER:		091197046

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		125 NETAS COURT
		CITY:			PALM DESERT
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92260

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:		714-250-3000

	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>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-11-18</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000036047</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FIRST AMERICAN CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FAF</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001193396</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SKILLING DAVID VAN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1 FIRST AMERICAN WAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SANTA ANA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92707</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-11-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4613</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>37842</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Nonemployee Director Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>43.33</value>
                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-11-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1450</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2009-11-18</value>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-11-18</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1450</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1450</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Nonemployee Director Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>48.59</value>
                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-11-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2900</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2009-11-18</value>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-11-18</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2900</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2900</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Nonemployee Director Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>47.49</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2006-12-08</value>
                <footnoteId id="F10"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-12-08</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares of the issuer received in exchange for Class A common stock of First Advantage Corporation pursuant to accelerated vesting of restricted stock units in connection with the merger of a wholly owned subsidiary of the issuer into First Advantage Corporation on November 18, 2009.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The consideration received in the merger was 0.58 of a common share of the issuer for each share of Class A common stock of First Advantage Corporation, plus cash in lieu of any fractional share.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Includes 2,547 unvested restricted stock units (including shares acquired through automatic dividend reinvestment) acquired pursuant to a grant of 2,489 restricted stock units vesting in three equal annual increments commencing 3/4/10, the first anniversary of the grant.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Includes 1,200 unvested restricted stock units (including shares acquired through automatic dividend reinvestment) acquired pursuant to a grant of 1,707 restricted stock units vesting in three equal annual increments commencing 6/20/09, the first anniversary of the grant.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Includes 378 unvested restricted stock units (including shares acquired through automatic dividend reinvestment) acquired pursuant to a grant of 1,049 restricted stock units vesting in three equal annual increments commencing 3/5/08, the first anniversary of the grant.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Stock option received in exchange for an option to acquire Class A common stock of First Advantage Corporation in connection with the merger of a wholly owned subsidiary of the issuer into First Advantage Corporation on November 18, 2009.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">The exercise price is equal to the exercise price of the assumed option to acquire Class A common stock of First Advantage Corporation, divided by the exchange ratio 0.58.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">Stock options to acquire Class A common stock of First Advantage Corporation were assumed by the issuer and converted into options to acquire shares of the issuer using a ratio of 0.58 of a common share of the issuer per share of Class A common stock of First Advantage Corporation.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F9">Pursuant to the terms of the First Advantage Corporation 2003 Incentive Compensation Plan, the option became fully exercisable immediately prior to the merger.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F10">The option vested 12/8/06, the first anniversary of the grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Jeffrey S. Robinson, Attorney-in-Fact for David Van Skilling</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-11-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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