Schedule I - Balance Sheets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 196,471		$ 117,196
Receivables:
Notes	8,483		10,394
Other, including $3 and $191 from affiliates	56,311		39,660
Allowance for uncollectible amounts	(12,823)		(16,056)
Total receivables	100,688		88,761
Property and equipment, at cost:
Buildings	26,887		23,823
Furniture and equipment	241,694		234,262
Accumulated depreciation	(219,715)		(208,077)
Total property and equipment, at cost	54,714		56,437
Title plant, at cost	77,360		77,406
Investments in subsidiaries, on an equity method basis	13,891		18,055
Goodwill	220,955		214,492		206,861
Other assets	56,229		52,096
Total assets	1,291,177		1,156,141
Liabilities
Convertible senior notes	64,687		64,513
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, including $3 and $104 from affiliates	116,617		86,389
Total Liabilities	710,805		692,684
Contingent liabilities and commitments
Stockholders' equity
Additional paid-in capital	133,685		132,446
Retained earnings	391,447		284,097
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	12,169		9,250
Treasury stock - 352,161 and 352,161 common shares, at cost	(2,666)		(2,666)
Total stockholders' equity	580,372		463,457
Liabilities and Equity	1,291,177		1,156,141
Common Stock
Stockholders' equity
Common Stock	18,706		18,606
Class B Common Stock
Stockholders' equity
Common Stock	1,050		1,050
Stewart Information Services Corporation - Parent Company
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	10,725		4,170
Receivables:
Notes	14		15
Other, including $3 and $191 from affiliates	43		476
Allowance for uncollectible amounts	(14)		(15)
Total receivables	43		476
Property and equipment, at cost:
Buildings			2,287
Furniture and equipment	3,109		3,209
Accumulated depreciation	(2,347)		(2,429)
Total property and equipment, at cost	762		3,067
Title plant, at cost	48		48
Investments in subsidiaries, on an equity method basis	626,994		504,897
Goodwill	8,470		8,470
Other assets	16,797		17,136
Total assets	663,839		538,264
Liabilities
Convertible senior notes	64,687		64,513
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, including $3 and $104 from affiliates	30,346		23,537
Total Liabilities	95,033		88,050
Contingent liabilities and commitments
Stockholders' equity
Additional paid-in capital	133,685		132,446
Retained earnings	391,447	[1]	284,097	[1]	282,666	296,116
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	12,169		9,250
Unrealized investment gains	14,415		7,431
Treasury stock - 352,161 and 352,161 common shares, at cost	(2,666)		(2,666)
Total stockholders' equity	568,806		450,214
Liabilities and Equity	663,839		538,264
Stewart Information Services Corporation - Parent Company | Common Stock
Stockholders' equity
Common Stock	18,706		18,606
Stewart Information Services Corporation - Parent Company | Class B Common Stock
Stockholders' equity
Common Stock	$ 1,050		$ 1,050

[1] Includes undistributed earnings of subsidiaries of $466,442 in 2012 and $344,376 in 2011.