Schedule I - Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Reconciliation of net earnings (loss) to cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	$ 109,182	$ 2,348	$ (12,582)
Add (deduct):
Depreciation and amortization	17,783	19,542	21,422
Provision for bad debt	3,201	1,318	4,186
Other losses (gains)	(7,578)	(2,302)	(21,782)
Decrease (increase) in receivables - net	(16,133)	(6,748)	46,642
Increase in other assets - net	(2,779)	(189)	308
Increase (decrease) in payables and accrued liabilities - net	29,278	(5,602)	(11,871)
(Earnings) loss from subsidiaries	(4,253)	(1,710)	(2,427)
Other - net	2,426	1,645	2,760
Cash provided (used) by operating activities	120,522	23,409	41,194
Investing activities:
Cash paid for loan guarantee obligation		(4,318)
Collections on notes receivables	959	721	1,001
Cash (used) provided by investing activities	(36,528)	(29,219)	235,160
Financing activities:
Cash (used) provided by financing activities	(18,120)	(7,034)	(238,790)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	67,695	(13,647)	38,390
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	140,843	154,490	116,100
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	208,538	140,843	154,490
Supplemental information:
Income taxes paid	6,747	19,259	(41,528)
Interest paid	4,427	4,557	4,775
Stewart Information Services Corporation - Parent Company
Reconciliation of net earnings (loss) to cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	109,182	2,348	(12,582)
Add (deduct):
Depreciation and amortization	802	893	862
Provision for bad debt	(1)	(2)	(96)
Other losses (gains)	3,358	3,770	(3,109)
Decrease (increase) in receivables - net	433	(218)	1,173
Increase in other assets - net	(229)	(1,171)	(130)
Increase (decrease) in payables and accrued liabilities - net	16,747	3,941	(1,007)
(Earnings) loss from subsidiaries	(123,898)	(14,039)	3,418
Other - net	1,899	3,213	2,735
Cash provided (used) by operating activities	8,293	(1,265)	(8,736)
Investing activities:
Cash paid for loan guarantee obligation		(4,318)
Proceeds from the sale of (purchases of) property and equipment - net	1,593	3,070	(3,016)
Collections on notes receivables	1	9	12,842
Proceeds from the sale of land and buildings			6,323
Contributions to subsidiaries	(1,500)
Cash (used) provided by investing activities	94	(1,239)	16,149
Financing activities:
Dividends paid	(1,832)	(917)	(868)
Cash (used) provided by financing activities	(1,832)	(917)	(868)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	6,555	(3,421)	6,545
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	4,170	7,591	1,046
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	10,725	4,170	7,591
Supplemental information:
Income taxes paid	149	82
Interest paid		$ 3,900	$ 3,900