Schedule I - Balance Sheets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 200,558	$ 194,289	$ 208,538	$ 140,843
Receivables:
Notes	4,031	4,075
Other, including $4 and $0 from affiliates	60,654	55,737
Allowance for uncollectible amounts	(9,193)	(9,871)
Total receivables	98,674	104,667
Property and equipment, at cost:
Furniture and equipment	215,344	213,585
Accumulated depreciation	(171,914)	(191,657)
Total property and equipment, at cost	75,353	54,266
Title plant, at cost	76,779	76,822
Investments in subsidiaries, on an equity-method basis	9,880	9,892
Goodwill	251,868	231,838	220,955
Other assets	46,510	62,775
Total assets	1,392,478	1,326,058
Liabilities
Notes payable	65,562	5,827
Convertible senior notes	0	27,119
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, including $0 and $2 from affiliates	117,583	119,961
Total Liabilities	692,025	662,969
Contingent liabilities and commitments
Stockholders’ equity
Additional paid-in capital	179,205	171,915
Retained earnings	479,733	452,314
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(2,215)	5,350
Treasury stock – 352,161 and 352,161 common shares, at cost	(2,666)	(2,666)
Total stockholders’ equity	700,453	663,089	580,372	463,457
Liabilities and Equity, Total	1,392,478	1,326,058
Common Stock
Stockholders’ equity
Common Stock	23,308	21,803
Class B Common Stock
Stockholders’ equity
Common Stock	1,050	1,050
Stewart Information Services Corporation - Parent Company
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	15,592	4,196	10,725	4,170
Receivables:
Notes	46,885	12
Other, including $4 and $0 from affiliates	115	138
Allowance for uncollectible amounts	(10)	(12)
Total receivables	46,990	138
Property and equipment, at cost:
Furniture and equipment	2,893	2,893
Accumulated depreciation	(2,463)	(2,301)
Total property and equipment, at cost	430	592
Title plant, at cost	48	48
Investments in subsidiaries, on an equity-method basis	688,858	677,485
Goodwill	8,470	8,470
Other assets	16,499	16,153
Total assets	776,887	707,082
Liabilities
Notes payable	60,000	0
Convertible senior notes	0	27,119
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, including $0 and $2 from affiliates	23,702	24,665
Total Liabilities	83,702	51,784
Contingent liabilities and commitments	0	0
Stockholders’ equity
Additional paid-in capital	179,205	171,915
Retained earnings	479,733	452,314	391,447	284,097
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(2,215)	5,350
Unrealized investment gains	14,770	5,532
Treasury stock – 352,161 and 352,161 common shares, at cost	(2,666)	(2,666)
Total stockholders’ equity	693,185	655,298
Liabilities and Equity, Total	776,887	707,082
Stewart Information Services Corporation - Parent Company | Common Stock
Stockholders’ equity
Common Stock	23,308	21,803
Stewart Information Services Corporation - Parent Company | Class B Common Stock
Stockholders’ equity
Common Stock	$ 1,050	$ 1,050