Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Earnings (Loss) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Title insurance:
Direct operations	$ 187,574	$ 165,841	$ 339,209	$ 305,070
Agency operations	251,139	213,829	447,460	405,638
Real estate information	40,502	22,564	72,961	53,949
Investment income	3,408	3,882	6,535	7,742
Investment and other gains (losses) - net	1,089	(1,233)	2,533	(1,101)
Total revenues	483,712	404,883	868,698	771,298
Expenses
Amounts retained by agencies	207,014	177,301	369,562	335,748
Employee costs	131,090	116,587	259,323	234,513
Other operating expenses	70,429	64,249	135,292	123,375
Title losses and related claims	38,113	34,984	69,498	66,185
Depreciation and amortization	4,563	4,762	9,088	9,592
Interest	1,286	1,294	2,650	2,572
Total expenses	452,495	399,177	845,413	771,985
Earnings (loss) before taxes and noncontrolling interests	31,217	5,706	23,285	(687)
Income tax expense (benefit)	3,175	(1,942)	5,998	1,189
Net earnings (loss)	28,042	7,648	17,287	(1,876)
Less net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	3,131	1,708	4,533	2,477
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Stewart	24,911	5,940	12,754	(4,353)
Other comprehensive earnings:
Foreign currency translation	(3,973)	(270)	(478)	3,269
Change in unrealized gains and losses	5,246	5,775	8,773	3,361
Reclassification of adjustment for gains and losses included in net income	(777)	(1,391)	(1,545)	(1,745)
Other comprehensive earnings, before taxes	496	4,114	6,750	4,885
Income tax expense related to items of comprehensive earnings	2,292	1,734	2,292	2,895
Other comprehensive (loss) earnings, net of taxes	(1,796)	2,380	4,458	1,990
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Stewart	$ 23,115	$ 8,320	$ 17,212	$ (2,363)
Basic average shares outstanding (000)	19,299	19,216	19,277	19,024
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Stewart	$ 1.29	$ 0.31	$ 0.66	$ (0.23)
Dilutive average shares outstanding (000)	24,388	24,326	24,367	19,024
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Stewart	$ 1.05	$ 0.28	$ 0.59	$ (0.23)