Accounts Receivable, Third Parties, Current Represents the amount of receivables arising from transactions with third parties due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Accounts receivable from third parties Financial Services [Member] Represents information pertaining to financial services segment of the entity. Financial Services Home Loan Servicing Solutions Ltd [Member] Represents information pertaining to Home Loan Servicing Solutions, Ltd. HLSS Mortgage Services [Member] Represents information pertaining to mortgage services segment of the entity. Mortgage Services Ocwen Financial Corporation [Member] Represents information pertaining to Ocwen Financial Corporation. Ocwen Operating Agreement [Member] Represents information pertaining to the operating agreement of the entity. Operating agreement Award Type [Axis] Tax Amortizable Goodwill The amount of tax amortized goodwill during the reporting period. Amount amortized Amortization of tax-deductible goodwill Tax Deductible Goodwill Unamortized Amount Represents the amount of tax deductible goodwill yet to be amortized. Remaining balance of Component 2 goodwill Tax Deductible Goodwill Unamortized Amount, Expected Tax Benefit Represents the amount of tax benefit expected from unamortized portion of tax deductible goodwill. Reductions of intangible assets generated by Component 2 goodwill that can be realized for U.S. tax purposes Technology Services [Member] Represents information pertaining to technology services segment of the entity. Technology Services Amendment Description Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Table] Information related to various accounting policies of the entity. Amendment Flag Mortgage Partnership of America LLC [Member] MPA Represents information pertaining to the acquisition of Mortgage Partnership of America, L.L.C. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] Basis of Presentation Related Party Transaction, Revenue as Percentage of Segment Revenue Related party revenue as a percentage of segment revenue Represents the related party revenue as a percentage of revenue for each segment of the entity. Related Party Transaction, Revenue as Percentage of Consolidated Revenue Related party revenue as a percentage of consolidated revenue Represents the related party revenue as a percentage of consolidated revenue of the entity. Related Party Transaction, Percentage of Stock Owned by Management Percentage of outstanding stock of related party owned by chairman Represents the percentage of related party stock owned by the management. Prepaid Maintenance, Current Maintenance agreements Represents the current portion of the carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of costs paid in advance under maintenance agreements; such amounts will be charged against earnings within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Prepaid Software License Fees Current Prepaid software license fees Represents the current portion of the carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of software license fees paid in advance; such amounts will be charged against earnings within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Collections due to Clients Current Collections due to clients Represents the current portion of the carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of collections due to the clients. Facility Closure Costs [Abstract] Facility Closure Costs Cost of Revenue [Text Block] The entire disclosure of cost of goods produced and sold and services rendered. COST OF REVENUE The entire disclosure of costs related to selling products and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Disclosure [Text Block] Document and Entity Information Number of Facilities Closed Number of facilities closed Represents the number of facilities closed by the entity during the year. Reversal of Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense Reversal of share-based compensation expense (in dollars) Represents the reversal of expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements with employee; directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees. Service Based Options [Member] Service-based Options Represents information pertaining to service-based options awarded by the entity to its employees as a form of equity-based compensation. Market Based Options [Member] Market-based Options Represents information pertaining to market-based options awarded by the entity to its employees as a form of equity-based compensation. Current Fiscal Year End Date Ordinary Performance Grant [Member] Ordinary performance grants Represents information pertaining to ordinary performance grants, a component of market-based options awarded by the entity to its employees as a form of equity-based compensation. Extraordinary Performance Grant [Member] Extraordinary performance grants Represents information pertaining to extraordinary performance grants, a component of market-based options awarded by the entity to its employees as a form of equity-based compensation. Represents the portion of market-based options subject to ordinary performance criteria. Share Based Compensation, Arrangement by Share Based Payment, Award, Portion of Market Based Options, Granted Subject to Ordinary Performance Conditions Market-based options subject to ordinary performance achievement (as a percent) Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Percentage of Compounded Annual Gain of Stock Price Over Exercise Price Required for Award to Vest Percentage of compounded annual gain of stock price over exercise price required for the award to vest Represents the percentage of compounded annual gain of stock price over exercise price required for the award to vest. Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Stock Price on Exercise Price Multiplier Multiplier of stock price over exercise price as a condition for the award to vest Represents the multiplier of stock price on exercise price which is an essential criteria for vesting of an award. Vesting Rights Percentage Vesting percentage for awards that vest upon achievement of criteria Description of award terms as to how many shares or portion of an award are no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, thereby giving the employee the legal right to convert the award to shares, shown as a percentage. Cumulative vesting percentage for awards that vest in equal annual installments Description of award terms as to how many shares or portion of an award vest in equal annual installments, thereby giving the employee the legal right to convert the award to shares, shown as a percentage. Cumulative Vesting Rights Percentage Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Number of Annual Installments, Vesting of Award Number of equal annual installments for vesting of award Represents the number of equal annual installments in which the awards vest. Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Estimated Forfeiture Rate Estimated forfeiture rate (as a percent) Represents the estimated forfeiture rate applied to determine the amount of compensation expense to be recognized for an equity-based award. Share Based Compensation, Arrangement by Share Based Payment, Award, Portion of Market Based Options Granted Subject to Extraordinary Performance Conditions Market-based options subject to extraordinary performance achievement (as a percent) Represents the portion of market-based options subject to extraordinary performance criteria. Outside fees and services Represents the fees paid to external providers for provision of services. Fees Paid for Provision of Services Document Period End Date Schedule of Selling, General and Administrative Expense [Table Text Block] Schedule showing the components of selling, general and administrative expenses Tabular disclosure of the components of costs related to selling products or services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Corporate Items and Eliminations Represents information pertaining to corporate items and eliminations. Corporate is a component of the entity that provides financial and operational oversight and administrative support for other segments. Eliminations include items resulting from intersegment transactions. Corporate Items and Eliminations [Member] Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Options Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term [Abstract] Weighted average contractual term (in years) Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Options Intrinsic Value [Abstract] Aggregate intrinsic value Share Based Compensation Arrangements by Share Based Payment Award Options Expiration Term Expiration term The period of time, from the grant date until the time at which the share-based option expires. Contractual life Represents the contractual term of share-based compensation awards. Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Contractual Term Schedule of Cost of Revenue [Table Text Block] Schedule of components of cost of revenue Tabular disclosure of the components of cost of revenue. Black Scholes Options Pricing Model [Member] Black-Scholes option pricing model Represents the information pertaining to Black-Scholes options pricing model, a valuation method used in the computation of fair value of service-based stock options. Binomial Lattice Model [Member] Lattice (binomial) model Represents the information pertaining to Binomial-lattice options pricing model, a valuation method used in the computation of fair value of market-based stock options. Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Number of Components of Award Number of components of an award Represents the number of components of vesting of an award. Correspondent One SA [Member] Represents information pertaining to Correspondent One S.A. Correspondent One Selling, General and Administrative Expense, Depreciation and Amortization Depreciation and amortization Represents the depreciation and amortization of non-operating assets directly related to selling, general and administrative expense during the reporting period. May 2010 Share Repurchase Program [Member] May 2010 share repurchase program Represents details concerning the May 2010 share repurchase program. Share Repurchase Program 2012 [Member] Represents details concerning the 2012 share repurchase program. 2012 Share Repurchase Program Support Services Agreement [Member] Support Services Agreement Represents information pertaining to Support Services Agreement with the related party. Initial term of the agreement with the related party Represents the initial term of the agreement with the related party. Related Party Transaction Initial Agreement Term with Related Party Extended term of the agreement with the related party through 2020 Represents the extended term of the agreement with the related party. Related Party Transaction Extended Agreement Term With Related Party Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Total Accounts payable and accrued expenses Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Current Entity Public Float Accounts receivable from related parties Accounts Receivable, Related Parties, Current Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Accounts payable and accrued expenses Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Billing Status, Type [Axis] Document Type Total Accounts receivable, net Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Accounts receivable, gross Accounts Receivable, Gross, Current ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts Payable, Accrued Liabilities, and Other Liabilities Disclosure, Current [Text Block] Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Accounts receivable, net Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] Income taxes payable, net Accrued Income Taxes, Current Accrued expenses - general Accrued Liabilities, Current Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Additional paid-in-capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Additional Paid-in Capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Reconciling items: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Share-based compensation expense Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition Share-based compensation expense (in dollars) Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense Allowance for doubtful accounts Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Amortization expense for definite lived intangible assets Amortization of intangible assets Amortization of Intangible Assets Options excluded from the computation of diluted EPS (in shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Total current assets Assets, Current Total assets Assets Overdrafts Bank Overdrafts Basis of Presentation Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Billed Billed Revenues [Member] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Capital lease obligations - current Capital Lease Obligations, Current Capital lease obligations - non-current Capital Lease Obligations, Noncurrent Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Non-cash investing and financing activities Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Class of Treasury Stock [Table] Variable Interest Entity, Classification [Domain] COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitment and contingencies (Note 15) Commitments and Contingencies. Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common stock ($1.00 par value; 100,000 shares authorized; 25,413 issued and 23,363 outstanding as of September 30, 2012; 25,413 issued and 23,405 outstanding as of December 31, 2011) Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Technology and communications Communications and Information Technology Computer Equipment [Member] Computer hardware and software COST OF REVENUE Compensation and benefits Cost of Services, Direct Labor Depreciation and amortization Cost of Services, Depreciation and Amortization Reimbursable expenses Cost of Reimbursable Expense Cost of revenue Cost of Services Total Customer lists Customer Lists [Member] Schedule of prepaid expenses and other current assets Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Table Text Block] PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred tax assets, net Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Current Deferred revenue Deferred Revenue, Current Deferred tax assets, net Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Noncurrent Security deposits Deposits Assets, Noncurrent Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Depreciation and amortization expense, inclusive of capital lease obligations SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION Payable to Ocwen Due to Related Parties, Current Diluted (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract] Earnings per share Basic (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic EARNINGS PER SHARE Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Earnings per share: EARNINGS PER SHARE Accrued salaries and benefits Employee-related Liabilities, Current Weighted-average remaining requisite service period for stock options over which unrecognized compensation costs would be recognized Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition Estimated unrecognized compensation costs (in dollars) Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Stock Options INVESTMENT IN EQUITY AFFILIATE Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block] Investment in equity affiliate Equity Method Investments Ownership percentage Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage Equity Component [Domain] Equity Method Investee, Name [Domain] INVESTMENT IN EQUITY AFFILIATE Stock Repurchase Authorization Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items] Amounts held in escrow Escrow Deposit Facility Closing [Member] Facility closure costs Change in fair value of put option Fair Value, Option, Changes in Fair Value, Gain (Loss) Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block] ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET Financing Receivables [Text Block] Weighted average estimated useful life Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] 2016 Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five Gross carrying amount Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Intangible Assets, Net Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] 2014 Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Accumulated amortization Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization 2015 Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four 2013 Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Remainder of Fiscal Year 2012 Net book value Intangible assets, net Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Cash held for clients Funds Held for Clients Furniture and fixtures Furniture and Fixtures [Member] Loss on sale or disposal of fixed assets Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets Balance at the beginning of the period Goodwill Balance at the end of the period Goodwill GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Goodwill Goodwill [Line Items] Goodwill [Roll Forward] Changes in goodwill GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET Gross profit Gross Profit Instrument Type [Domain] Instrument [Axis] CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Income before income taxes and non-controlling interests Net loss on investment using the equity method Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Equity loss in affiliate Equity in losses of affiliate Income tax provision Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income taxes paid (refunded), net Income Taxes Paid, Net Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Accounts payable and accrued expenses Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Prepaid expenses and other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Other assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Other current and non-current liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities Change in restricted cash Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Interest income Interest Income, Other Interest expense Interest Expense Interest paid Interest Paid Compensation and benefits Labor and Related Expense Leasehold improvements Leasehold Improvements [Member] Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Total liabilities and equity Liabilities and Equity Maximum Maximum [Member] Minimum Minimum [Member] Non-controlling interests Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Distributions to non-controlling interest holders Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders Contributions from non-controlling interest holders Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Equity Issuance or Sale of Parent Equity Interest Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Cash flows from financing activities: Net cash flows provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Continuing Operations Net cash flows used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic Net income attributable to Altisource Net income attributable to Altisource (in dollars) Net cash flows used in financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Cash flows from investing activities: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Premises and equipment purchased on account Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Value of Assets Acquired Non-compete agreement Noncompete Agreements [Member] Total Other (expense) income, net Nonoperating Income (Expense) Number of reportable segments Number of Reportable Segments Non-controlling Interests Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Occupancy related costs Occupancy, Net Office equipment and other Office Equipment [Member] Income from operations Operating Income (Loss) ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block] Other Other Assets, Miscellaneous, Noncurrent Other receivables Other Receivables, Gross, Current Other current assets Other Assets, Current OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME, NET OTHER ASSETS Other Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Total Other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS Other Current Assets [Text Block] OTHER ASSETS OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME, NET Other Income and Other Expense Disclosure [Text Block] Other current liabilities Other Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Total Other current liabilities Other Liabilities, Current Other, net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other non-current liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other Other Selling, General and Administrative Expense Other Other Sundry Liabilities, Current Other prepaid expenses Other Prepaid Expense, Current Parent [Member] Altisource Equity ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES Purchase of treasury stock Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Additions to premises and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Investment in equity affiliate Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments Distributions to non-controlling interests Payments to Noncontrolling Interests Total Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Prepaid insurance Prepaid Insurance Prepaid facility costs Prepaid Rent Contributions from non-controlling interests Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests Proceeds from stock option exercises Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Professional services Professional Fees Net income Net income Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT, NET Total Premises and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT, NET Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Premises and equipment, gross Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Schedule of premises and equipment, net which includes amounts recorded under capital leases Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT, NET Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Bad debt expense Provision for Doubtful Accounts Range [Axis] Range [Domain] ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET Receivables Billing Status [Domain] TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES Related Party Transaction [Line Items] Amount billed by related party Related Party Transaction, Selling, General and Administrative Expenses from Transactions with Related Party Selling, general and administrative expenses Related Party [Domain] TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES Transactions with related parties included above: Related Party [Axis] Principal payments on capital lease obligations Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations Restricted cash Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent Restructuring Type [Axis] Restructuring Reserve, Current Facility closure cost accrual, current portion Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash Payments Restructuring Reserve, Noncurrent Less: Long-term portion Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] Restructuring costs Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items] Restructuring related costs Restructuring Reserve Balance at the beginning of the period Balance at the end of the period Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained Earnings Retained Earnings [Member] Amount billed to related party Revenue from Related Parties Revenue Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value Exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars) Expected option life Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Exercisable at the end of the period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Weighted average contractual term Revenue Sales Revenue, Services, Net Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Summary of the activity of the entity's stock options Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block] Summary of the weighted-average fair value of stock options granted, and the total intrinsic value of stock options exercised Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Grant Date Intrinsic Value [Table Text Block] Schedule of other (expense) income, net Schedule of Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Table Text Block] Schedule of the assumptions used to determine the fair value of options as of the grant date Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block] Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Schedule of basic and diluted EPS Schedule of other current liabilities Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table] Schedule of related party revenue as a percentage of each of the segment revenues and as a percentage of consolidated revenues Schedule of Related Party Transactions [Table Text Block] Schedule of the accounts payable and accrued expenses Schedule of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block] Schedule of intangible assets, net Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block] Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table] Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] Investment in equity affiliate Equity Method Investee, Name [Axis] Summary of goodwill by segment Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block] Schedule of Goodwill [Table] Schedule of other assets Schedule of Other Assets, Noncurrent [Table Text Block] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table] Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost [Table Text Block] Schedule of facility closure costs Schedule of Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Table] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block] Schedule of financial information of segments Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table] Schedule of accounts receivable, net Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block] SEGMENT REPORTING Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] SEGMENT REPORTING SEGMENT REPORTING Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Segment [Domain] SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES Selling, general and administrative expenses Selling, General and Administrative Expense Total Share-based compensation expense Share-based Compensation. Share Repurchase Program [Axis] Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Forfeited (in dollars per share) Weighted average exercise price Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward] Fair value of options vested (in dollars) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period Vesting period Risk-free interest rate, maximum (as a percent) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate, Maximum Granted (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross Stock options granted (in shares) Stock based compensation Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Share Repurchase Program [Domain] Weighted average exercise price of stock options granted (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Granted (in dollars per share) Risk-free interest rate, minimum (as a percent) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate, Minimum Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Exercised (in dollars per share) Risk-free interest rate (as a percent) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate Expected stock price volatility (as a percent) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate Expected dividend yield (as a percent) Fair value (in dollars per share) Weighted-average fair value at grant date per share (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Intrinsic value of options exercised (in dollars) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value Weighted-average fair value of stock options granted, and the total intrinsic value of stock options exercised Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract] Exercisable at the end of the period (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number Number of options Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward] Assumptions used to determine the fair value of options as of the grant date Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract] Forfeited (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share) Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars) Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars) Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares) Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number Outstanding (in shares) Award Type [Domain] Balance (in shares) Balance (in shares) Shares, Issued Statement [Table] Scenario [Axis] Statement Statement [Line Items] CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Business Segments [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Period Increase (Decrease) Number of shares of common stock authorized to be purchased Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased Exercise of stock options Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Number of shares still available for purchase Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased Number of shares of common stock purchased Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares Exercised (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Equity: Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Total equity Balance Balance Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Altisource equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease) Supplemental cash flow information Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Trademarks Trademarks [Member] Treasury stock, at cost (2,049 shares as of September 30, 2012 and 2,008 shares as of December 31, 2011) Treasury Stock, Value Number of shares of common stock purchased Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired Average purchase price per share (in dollars per share) Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share Treasury stock, shares Treasury Stock, Shares Treasury Stock, at Cost Treasury Stock [Member] Repurchase of shares Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Type of Restructuring [Domain] Unbilled Unbilled Revenues [Member] Unbilled fees Unbilled Receivables, Not Billable Valuation Technique [Axis] Valuation Technique [Domain] Total assets Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets Lenders One Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] Liabilities Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Liabilities Variable Interest Entities [Axis] Weighted average shares outstanding: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Basic (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic Diluted (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Weighted-average common shares outstanding, diluted Dilutive effect of stock options (in shares) Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment