Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	$ 57,644	$ 49,412
Other comprehensive income (OCI), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	2,963	10,271
Postretirement healthcare plan adjustments	263	(182)
Comprehensive income	60,870	59,501
TSYS Shareholders
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	56,395	48,790
Other comprehensive income (OCI), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	3,671	10,172
Postretirement healthcare plan adjustments	263	(182)
Comprehensive income	60,329	58,780
Noncontrolling Interests
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	1,249	622
Other comprehensive income (OCI), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(708)	99
Comprehensive income	$ 541	$ 721

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the economic entity, including both controlling (parent) and noncontrolling interests. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, including any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

+ References+ Details

The increase (decrease) in accumulated comprehensive income during the period related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans, after tax. While for technical reasons this element has no balance attribute, the default assumption is a credit balance consistent with its label.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into the reporting currency of the reporting entity, net of tax.

+ References

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+ Details

- Definition

The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

+ References

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+ Details