Schedule I - Parent Company Financial Information - Balance Sheets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 179,067	$ 200,558	$ 194,289	$ 208,538
Receivables:
Notes - due from subsidiaries	3,744	4,031
Other, including $120 and $4, respectively, from affiliates	49,453	60,654
Allowance for uncollectible amounts	(9,833)	(9,193)
Total receivables	81,671	98,674
Property and equipment, at cost:
Furniture and equipment	214,350	215,344
Accumulated depreciation	(169,870)	(171,914)
Total property and equipment, at cost	71,369	75,353
Title plant, at cost	75,743	76,779
Investments in subsidiaries, on an equity-method basis	9,628	9,880
Goodwill	217,722	251,868	231,838
Other assets	43,237	46,510
Total assets	1,321,587	1,392,478
Liabilities
Notes payable	102,399	71,180
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, including $4 and $0, respectively, to affiliates	118,082	111,965
Total Liabilities	$ 684,459	$ 692,025
Contingent liabilities and commitments
Stockholders’ equity
Additional paid-in capital	$ 156,692	$ 179,205
Retained earnings	455,519	479,733
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(13,360)	(2,215)
Treasury stock – 352,161 common shares, at cost	(2,666)	(2,666)
Total stockholders’ equity	637,128	700,453	663,089	580,372
Liabilities and Equity, Total	1,321,587	1,392,478
Common Stock
Stockholders’ equity
Common Stock	22,643	23,308
Class B Common Stock
Stockholders’ equity
Common Stock	1,050	1,050
Stewart Information Services Corporation - Parent Company
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	832	15,210	4,196	10,725
Receivables:
Notes - due from subsidiaries	68,382	46,885
Other, including $120 and $4, respectively, from affiliates	1,093	497
Allowance for uncollectible amounts	(7)	(10)
Total receivables	69,468	47,372
Property and equipment, at cost:
Furniture and equipment	2,893	2,893
Accumulated depreciation	(2,625)	(2,463)
Total property and equipment, at cost	268	430
Title plant, at cost	48	48
Investments in subsidiaries, on an equity-method basis	653,519	688,858
Goodwill	8,470	8,470
Other assets	17,457	16,499
Total assets	750,062	776,887
Liabilities
Notes payable	98,000	60,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, including $4 and $0, respectively, to affiliates	22,781	23,702
Total Liabilities	120,781	83,702
Contingent liabilities and commitments	0	0
Stockholders’ equity
Additional paid-in capital	156,692	179,205
Retained earnings	455,519	479,733	$ 452,314	$ 391,447
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(13,360)	(2,215)
Unrealized investment gains	9,403	14,770
Treasury stock – 352,161 common shares, at cost	(2,666)	(2,666)
Total stockholders’ equity	629,281	693,185
Liabilities and Equity, Total	750,062	776,887
Stewart Information Services Corporation - Parent Company | Common Stock
Stockholders’ equity
Common Stock	22,643	23,308
Stewart Information Services Corporation - Parent Company | Class B Common Stock
Stockholders’ equity
Common Stock	$ 1,050	$ 1,050