Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Revenues Revenues [Abstract] Title Insurance [Abstract] Title insurance: Direct Operations Direct operations Direct operations Agency Operations Agency operations Agency operations Real Estate Information Real estate information Real estate information Investment income Net Investment Income Gain (Loss) on Investments Investment and other (gains) losses - net Investment and other gains (losses) - net Revenues Total revenues Revenues Expenses Benefits, Losses and Expenses [Abstract] Employee costs Labor and Related Expense Other operating expenses Other Cost and Expense, Operating Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Depreciation and amortization Interest Expense Interest Income tax expense (benefit) Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net earnings (loss) Net earnings (loss) Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Less net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net earnings (loss) attributable to Stewart Net earnings (loss) attributable to Stewart Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Other comprehensive earnings: Tax effects on other comprehensive income Income tax expense related to items of comprehensive earnings Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Stewart Assets [Abstract] Balance sheet information Assets Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at carrying value Short-term investments Other Short-term Investments Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract] Investments in debt and equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value: Statutory reserve funds Restricted Investments Available-for-sale Securities Total, Fair values Total, Fair values Receivables: Premiums and Other Receivables, Net [Abstract] Notes Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Gross Premiums from agencies Premiums Receivable, Gross Income taxes Income Taxes Receivable Other Receivables Trade and other receivables Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Premiums and Other Receivables Allowance for uncollectible amounts Premiums and Other Receivables, Net Total receivables Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract] Property and equipment, at cost Land Land Buildings Buildings and Improvements, Gross Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Accumulated depreciation Title Plants at Cost Title plants, at cost Title plants, at cost Investments in investees, on an equity method basis Equity Method Investments Goodwill Goodwill Other assets Other Assets Assets Total assets Identifiable assets Liabilities Liabilities [Abstract] Notes payable Other Notes Payable Convertible senior notes Convertible Notes Payable Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Deferred Income Tax Liabilities Deferred income taxes Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Stockholders' equity Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained earnings Treasury stock - 352,161 common shares, at cost Treasury Stock, Value Treasury stock, common shares Treasury stock, common shares Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Stockholders' equity attributable to Stewart Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling interests Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Total stockholders' equity (19,351,985 and 19,303,844 shares outstanding) Common Stock Shares Outstanding Common stock, shares outstanding Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Total liabilities and stockholder's equity Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Reconciliation of net loss to cash provided (used) by operating activities: Add (deduct): Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Provision for bad debt Provision for Doubtful Accounts Insurance Recoveries of Title Losses Insurance recoveries of title losses Insurance recoveries of title losses Increase (Decrease) in Receivables (Increase) decrease in receivables net Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Increase in other assets - net Decrease in payables and accrued liabilities - net Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Income Taxes Increase (decrease) increase in net deferred income taxes Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Net earnings from equity investees Dividends received from equity investees Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions Cash provided (used) by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Proceeds from investments available-for-sale matured and sold Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Available-for-sale Securities Payments to Acquire Available-for-sale Securities Purchases of investments available-for-sale Purchases of property and equipment and title plants - net Payments to Acquire Productive Assets Payments to Acquire Notes Receivable Increases in notes receivable Collections on notes receivable Proceeds from Collection of Notes Receivable Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Cash provided (used) by investing activities Financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Repayments of Notes Payable Payments on notes payable Proceeds from notes payable Proceeds from Notes Payable Payments to Noncontrolling Interests Distributions to noncontrolling interests Cash used by financing activities Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Supplemental information: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Fair value measurements Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Earnings per share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Contingent liabilities and commitments Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Segment information Regulatory and Legal Developments [Abstract] Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Period End Date Document Type Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Filer Category Entity Registrant Name Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Earnings (Loss) [Abstract] Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement [Table] Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Domain] Common Stock [Member] Common Stock Common Class B [Member] Common Stock Class B Statement [Line Items] Commitments and Contingencies Contingent liabilities and commitments Other Noncash Income (Expense) Other - net Investments In Debt And Marketable Equity Securities And Certain Trading Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Investments in debt and equity securities Interim financial statements [Abstract] Other Investments in Debt and Equity Securities Available for Sale Other Other Investments In Debt And Equity Securities Available For Sale. Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Benefits, Losses and Expenses Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents - statutory reserve funds Insurance Commissions Amounts retained by agencies Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Net Title losses and related claims Furniture and Fixtures, Gross Furniture and equipment Real Estate Held-for-sale Real estate, at lower of cost or net realizable value Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Intangible assets, net of amortization Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses Estimated title losses Increase (Decrease) in Other Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Payments for title losses less than (in excess of) provisions Liabilities Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Earnings (loss) before taxes and noncontrolling interests Earnings (loss) before taxes and noncontrolling interests Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and equivalents excluding restricted cash. Cash and cash equivalents Other - net Proceeds from Sale of Other Assets Total property and equipment, at cost Total Liabilities Total expenses Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Contingent Liabilities and Commitments [Abstract] Investments in Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract] Segment Information [Abstract] Share- Based Incentives [Abstract] Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Share-based incentives Cash paid for the acquisition of subsidiaries and other - net Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Changes in financial statement amounts due to the acquisition of subsidiaries: Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Net Nonmonetary Assets Acquired (Liabilities Assumed) [Abstract] Goodwill Acquired Goodwill Goodwill acquired. Liabilities Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Other Liabilities Assumed Cash paid for acquisitions of subsidiaries and other net Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Net Nonmonetary Assets Acquired (Liabilities Assumed) Stock Issued Settlement of wage and hour litigation through issuance of Common Stock Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Interim financial statements Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] Consolidation Managements Responsibility [Policy Text Block ] Management's responsibility Management's Responsibility. Reclassifications [Policy Text Block ] Reclassifications Reclassifications. Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block] Debt securities according to their contractual terms Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments [Table Text Block] Gross unrealized gains and losses Municipal Debt Securities [Member] Municipal [Member] Municipal debt securities. Corporate and Utilities [Member] Corporate and utilities [Member] Corporate and utilities. Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member] Foreign [Member] US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member] U.S. Government [Member] Amortized Costs and Fair Values [Abstract] Amortized costs and fair values Amortized costs and fair values. Debt securities Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis Equity securities Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities Debt securities, fair values total Debt securities, Fair values Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities Equity securities, Fair values Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis Total, Amortized costs Gross Unrealized Gains and Losses [Abstract] Gross unrealized gains and losses Gross unrealized gains and losses. Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains Gross unrealized gains Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses Gross unrealized losses Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Table] Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Domain] Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] Equity Securities [Member] Equity securities [Member] Debt Securities According to Their Contractual Terms [Abstract] Debt securities according to their contractual terms Debt securities according to their contractual terms. Gross unrealized losses on investments and the fair values of the related securities[Abstract] Investments in Debt and Equity Securities (Textual) [Abstract] Investments in Debt and Equity Securities (Textual) [Abstract] Investments in debt and equity securities. Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Table] Debt Security [Axis] Major Types of Debt Securities [Domain] Debt Securities [Member] Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Table] Fair Value by Measurement Frequency [Axis] Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain] Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Basic average shares outstanding (000) Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Stewart Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Dilutive average shares outstanding Dilutive average shares outstanding (000) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Stewart Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive earnings Cash Paid for Loss on Loan Commitment Cash paid for loan guarantee obligation Cash paid for loss on loan commitment. Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Common and Class B Common Stock and additional paid-in capital Amortized Costs and Fair Values [Table Text Block] Amortized costs and fair values Amortized costs and fair values. Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Axis] Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment, Category [Domain] Short-term Investments [Member] Legal Matters and Contingencies [Text Block] Regulatory and legal developments Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Amortized Cost Basis Amortized costs, In one year or less Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after One Through Five Years, Amortized Cost Basis Amortized costs, After one year through five years Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Amortized Cost Basis Amortized costs, After five years through ten years Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Amortized Cost Basis Amortized costs, After ten years Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Amortized Cost Basis Amortized costs, Total Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Fair Value Fair Values, In one year or less Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after One Through Five Years, Fair Value Fair Values, After one year through five years Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Fair Value Fair Values, After five years through ten years Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Fair Value Fair Values, After ten years Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value Fair Values, Less than 12 months Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value Fair Values, More than 12 months Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value Total Fair Values Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions Number of investments in an unrealized loss position Fair Value, Measurements, Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Share Based Incentives (Textual) [Abstract] Share-based incentives. Share-based incentives (Textual) [Abstract] Share Based Incentives (Additional Textual) [Abstract] Share-based Incentives (Additional Textual) [Abstract] Share-based incentives. Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Percentage of Shares to be Vested Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment percentage of shares to be vested. Percentage of vest in common stock Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Numerator [Abstract] Numerator. Numerator Denominator [Abstract] Denominator(000): Denominator. Interest on Convertible Debt, Net of Tax Interest expense, net of tax effects Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Conversion of Debt Securities Dilutive average number of shares relating to convertible senior notes Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements Dilutive average number of shares relating to restricted shares grant Schedule of Realized Gain (Loss) [Table Text Block] Gross realized investment and other gains and losses Available-for-sale Securities [Table Text Block] Proceeds from the sales of investments available-for-sale Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains Realized gains Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses Realized losses Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss) Total gross realized gains (losses) Loan Guarantee Obligation Loan guarantee obligation. Loan guarantee obligation Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Proceeds from sales of investments available-for-sale Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss) [Abstract] Gross realized investment and other gains and losses Gain (Loss) on Sale of Investments [Abstract] Proceeds from the sales of investments available-for-sale Statement of Operations Information [Table Text Block ] Statement of operations information Statement of operations information. Title [Member] Title [Member] Title. Real Estate Information [Member] REI [Member] Real estate information. Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract] Statement of operations information Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Statement, Business Segments [Axis] Segment [Domain] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Revenues Generated in Domestic and Foreign Country [Abstract] Revenues generated in domestic and foreign country. Revenues Generated in Domestic and Foreign Country Revenues Generated in Domestic and Foreign Country [Table Text Block ] Revenues generated in domestic and foreign country Revenues generated in domestic and foreign country. Unrestricted Common Stock [Member] Unrestricted common stock. Unrestricted Common Stock [Member] Domestic Country [Member] Foreign Country [Member] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period Stock option granted Restricted Stock [Member] Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent, Diluted If-converted net earnings (loss) attributable to Stewart Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Total Fair Value Fair value of fully vested common stock Diluted Earning Per Share Using If Converted Method [Table Text Block] Diluted earnings per share using if- converted method Diluted earning per share using if converted method. Contingent Liabilities for Guarantees of Consolidated Subsidiaries Contingent liabilities for guarantees of consolidated subsidiaries Contingent liabilities for Guarantees of consolidated subsidiaries . Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue Intersegment revenue Realized Gain from Debt Investment Available for Sale Realized gain from debt investment available for sale . Realized gain from debt investment available for sale Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Table Text Block] Balance sheet information Investment Income [Abstract] Investment Income Disclosure [Text Block] Investment Income Investment income. Schedule of Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments [Table Text Block] Gross unrealized losses on investments and the fair values of the related securities Investments, Fair Value Disclosure Investments, Fair value measurements Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure Available-for-sale securities, Fair value measurements Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses Losses, More than 12 months Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses Total Losses Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period Period of restricted common stock award Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses Losses, Less than 12 months Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss), before Reclassification and Tax Foreign currency translation Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, before Tax Change in unrealized gains and losses Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment for Sale of Securities Included in Net Income, before Tax Reclassification of adjustment for gains and losses included in net income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax Other comprehensive earnings, before taxes Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets Proceeds from the sale of land, buildings, and furniture and equipment Receipt of Partial Building Ownership in Exchange for Debt Forgiveness Receipt of partial building ownership in exchange for debt forgiveness. Receipt of partial building ownership in exchange for debt forgiveness Title Plants Acquired Title plants Title plants acquired. Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Other Assets Acquired Other Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition Value of Minority Interest Noncontrolling interests Noncash or part noncash acquisition value of minority interest. Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Axis] Plan Name [Axis] Plan Name [Domain] Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Other comprehensive (loss) earnings, net of taxes Contributions from Noncontrolling Interests Contributions from noncontrolling interests Regulatory And Legal Developments (Textual) [Abstract] Regulatory and legal developments. Regulatory and legal developments (Textual) [Abstract] Van Buren Estates Llc [Member] Van Buren Estates, LLC [Member] Van buren estates llc. Liability And Damages Concluded In Trial Total liability and damages concluded in the trial Liability and damages concluded in the trial. Cost To Cure Title Defect At Issue In Case Cost to cure the title defect at issue in the case Cost to cure the title defect at issue in case. Loss Contingency, Lawsuit Filing Date Action commencement date in the Superior Court of California Schedule of Regulatory Liabilities [Table] Regulatory Liability [Axis] Regulatory Liability [Domain] Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items] Interim Financial Statements [Abstract] Interim financial statements. Investments Significant investments Interim Financial Statements (Textual) [Abstract] Interim financial statements. Subsidiaries [Member] Unconsolidated investees [Member] Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Maximum [Member] Minimum [Member] Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage Loss Contingency, Claims Settled and Dismissed, Number Number of complaints dismissed during the period Loss Contingency, Number of Defendants Number of complaints in company/its affiliates as a defendant Loss Contingency, Damages Paid, Value Damage incurred due to the extra-contractual claims against STGC and STGM based on application of Mexican law Amount Decided in the Motion For Judgment Motion granted under Judgment Amount decided in the motion for judgment.