Schedule I - Parent Company Financial Information - Balance Sheets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 185,772	$ 179,067	$ 200,558	$ 194,289
Receivables:
Notes - due from subsidiaries	3,402	3,744
Allowance for uncollectible amounts	(9,647)	(9,833)
Total receivables	71,776	81,671
Property and equipment, at cost:
Furniture and equipment	217,105	214,350
Accumulated depreciation	(173,119)	(169,870)
Total property and equipment, at cost	70,506	71,369
Title plant, at cost	75,313	75,743
Investments in subsidiaries, on an equity-method basis	9,796	9,628
Goodwill	217,094	217,722	251,868
Other assets	42,975	43,807
Total assets	1,341,724	1,321,587
Liabilities
Notes payable	106,808	102,399
Accounts payable and other liabilities	115,640	118,082
Total Liabilities	692,876	684,459
Contingent liabilities and commitments
Stockholders’ equity
Additional paid-in capital	157,176	156,692
Retained earnings	471,788	455,519
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(16,727)	(13,360)
Treasury stock – 352,161 common shares, at cost	(2,666)	(2,666)
Total stockholders’ equity	648,848	637,128	700,453	663,089
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	1,341,724	1,321,587
Common Stock
Stockholders’ equity
Common Stock	23,783	22,643
Class B Common Stock
Stockholders’ equity
Common Stock	0	1,050
Stewart Information Services Corporation - Parent Company
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	2,890	832	15,210	4,196
Receivables:
Notes - due from subsidiaries	40,879	68,382
Receivables from affiliates	848	1,093
Allowance for uncollectible amounts	(4)	(7)
Total receivables	41,723	69,468
Property and equipment, at cost:
Furniture and equipment	2,733	2,893
Accumulated depreciation	(2,512)	(2,625)
Total property and equipment, at cost	221	268
Title plant, at cost	48	48
Investments in subsidiaries, on an equity-method basis	688,837	653,519
Goodwill	8,470	8,470
Other assets	16,698	17,457
Total assets	758,887	750,062
Liabilities
Notes payable	92,875	98,000
Accounts payable and other liabilities	24,812	22,781
Total Liabilities	117,687	120,781
Contingent liabilities and commitments	0	0
Stockholders’ equity
Additional paid-in capital	157,176	156,692
Retained earnings	471,788	455,519	$ 479,733	$ 452,314
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(16,727)	(13,360)
Unrealized investment gains	7,846	9,403
Treasury stock – 352,161 common shares, at cost	(2,666)	(2,666)
Total stockholders’ equity	641,200	629,281
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	758,887	750,062
Stewart Information Services Corporation - Parent Company | Common Stock
Stockholders’ equity
Common Stock	23,783	22,643
Stewart Information Services Corporation - Parent Company | Class B Common Stock
Stockholders’ equity
Common Stock	$ 0	$ 1,050