Schedule I - Balance Sheets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 194,289		$ 208,538		$ 140,843	$ 154,490
Receivables:
Notes	4,075		8,483
Other, including $0 and $3 from affiliates	55,737		56,311
Allowance for uncollectible amounts	(9,871)		(12,823)
Total receivables	104,667		100,688
Property and equipment, at cost:
Furniture and equipment	213,585		241,694
Accumulated depreciation	(191,657)		(219,715)
Total property and equipment, at cost	54,266		54,714
Title plant, at cost	76,822		77,360
Investments in subsidiaries, on an equity method basis	9,892		13,891
Goodwill	231,838		220,955		214,492
Other assets	62,775		56,229
Total assets	1,326,058		1,291,177
Liabilities
Convertible senior notes	27,119		64,687
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, including $2 and $3 from affiliates	119,961		116,617
Total Liabilities	662,969		710,805
Contingent liabilities and commitments
Stockholders' equity
Additional paid-in capital	171,915		133,685
Retained earnings	452,314		391,447
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	5,350		12,169
Treasury stock - 352,161 and 352,161 common shares, at cost	(2,666)		(2,666)
Total stockholders' equity	663,089		580,372
Liabilities and Equity	1,326,058		1,291,177
Common Stock
Stockholders' equity
Common Stock	21,803		18,706
Class B Common Stock
Stockholders' equity
Common Stock	1,050		1,050
Stewart Information Services Corporation - Parent Company
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	4,196		10,725		4,170	7,591
Receivables:
Notes	12		14
Other, including $0 and $3 from affiliates	138		43
Allowance for uncollectible amounts	(12)		(14)
Total receivables	138		43
Property and equipment, at cost:
Furniture and equipment	2,893		3,109
Accumulated depreciation	(2,301)		(2,347)
Total property and equipment, at cost	592		762
Title plant, at cost	48		48
Investments in subsidiaries, on an equity method basis	677,485		626,994
Goodwill	8,470		8,470
Other assets	16,153		16,797
Total assets	707,082		663,839
Liabilities
Convertible senior notes	27,119		64,687
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, including $2 and $3 from affiliates	24,665		30,346
Total Liabilities	51,784		95,033
Contingent liabilities and commitments
Stockholders' equity
Additional paid-in capital	171,915		133,685
Retained earnings	452,314	[1]	391,447	[1]	284,097	282,666
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	5,350		12,169
Unrealized investment gains	5,532		14,415
Treasury stock - 352,161 and 352,161 common shares, at cost	(2,666)		(2,666)
Total stockholders' equity	655,298		568,806
Liabilities and Equity	707,082		663,839
Stewart Information Services Corporation - Parent Company | Common Stock
Stockholders' equity
Common Stock	21,803		18,706
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 $534,494 in 2013 and $466,442 in 2012.