Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Numerator
Net earnings attributable to Stewart	$ 34,668	$ 4,542	$ 47,422	$ 189
Interest expense, net of tax effects	785	785	2,354
If-converted net earnings attributable to Stewart	$ 35,453	$ 5,327	$ 49,776	$ 189
Denominator (000):
Basic average shares outstanding (000)	19,309	19,234	19,288	19,095
Dilutive average number of shares relating to convertible senior notes	5,047	5,047	5,047
Dilutive average number of shares relating to restricted shares grant	43	63	43
Dilutive average shares outstanding	24,399	24,344	24,378	19,095
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Stewart	$ 1.45	$ 0.22	$ 2.04	$ 0.01