485BPOS

1933 Act Registration No. 002-74747

1940 Act Registration No. 811-03313

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 13, 2012

FORM N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Pre-Effective Amendment No.	¨
Post-Effective Amendment No. 68	x

and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

Amendment No. 68 x

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

800 Nicollet Mall

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(612) 303-7987

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code)

Richard J. Ertel

U.S. Bancorp Asset Management, Inc.

800 Nicollet Mall, BC-MN-H04N

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-7020

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):

x immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485

¨ on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485

¨ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485

¨ on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485

¨ 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485

¨ on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment to its Registration Statement Nos. 002-74747 and 811-03313 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Minneapolis, State of Minnesota, on the 13th day of November, 2012.

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS, INC.
By:	/s/ Joseph M. Ulrey III
	Joseph M. Ulrey III, President

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated and on November 13, 2012.

SIGNATURE	TITLE
/s/ Joseph M. Ulrey III	President
Joseph M. Ulrey III
/s/ Jill M. Stevenson	Treasurer (principal financial/accounting officer)
Jill M. Stevenson
*	Director
Roger A. Gibson
*	Director
John P. Kayser
*	Director
Leonard W. Kedrowski
*	Director
Richard K. Riederer
*	Director
Joseph D. Strauss
*	Director
James M. Wade

* Richard J. Ertel, by signing his name hereto, does hereby sign this document on behalf of each of the above-named Directors of First American Funds, Inc. pursuant to the powers of attorney duly executed by such persons.

By:	/s/ Richard J. Ertel	Attorney-in-Fact
	Richard J. Ertel

Index to Exhibits

Exhibit Number	Name of Exhibit
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbas
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

XML

Class Z Shares | First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund

Fund Summaries
U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund

Investment Objective

U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Fees and Expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	Class Z Shares First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Class Z
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	none

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses		Class Z Shares First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Class Z
Management Fees		0.10%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees		none
Other Expenses		0.21%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses		0.31%
Less Fee Waivers	[1]	(0.11%)
Net Expenses	[1]	0.20%

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	Class Z Shares First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Class Z
1 year	20
3 years	89
5 years	163
10 years	382

Principal Investment Strategies

U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund invests exclusively in direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury and other money market funds that invest exclusively in such obligations. The U.S. Treasury obligations in which the fund invests include U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills. These types of Treasury securities are essentially the same except for differences in interest rates, maturities, and dates of issuance. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Additional Expenses — If the fund invests in money market funds advised by another investment advisor, you will bear both your proportionate share of the expenses in the fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of such other money market fund.

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests solely in U.S. Treasury obligations and other money market funds that invest exclusively in those obligations, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Fund Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2006              1.22%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*            0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return during the

period of the chart.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Average Annual Total Returns	Inception Date	One Year	Five Years	Since Inception
Class Z Shares First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Class Z	Oct. 25, 2004	none	1.20%	1.91%

[1] The advisor has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse other fund expenses through October 31, 2013, so that total annual fund operating expenses, after waivers, do not exceed 0.20%. These fee waivers and expense reimbursements may be terminated at any time after October 31, 2013, at the discretion of the advisor. Prior to that time, such waivers and reimbursements may not be terminated without the approval of the fund's board of directors.

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 30, 2012

Institutional Investor Shares | First American Treasury Obligations Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summaries
Treasury Obligations Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Treasury Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example:

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, Treasury Obligations Fund invests exclusively in short-term U.S. Treasury obligations, including repurchase agreements secured by U.S. Treasury obligations. The U.S. Treasury obligations in which the fund invests include U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills. These types of Treasury securities are essentially the same except for differences in interest rates, maturities, and dates of issuance. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests primarily in U.S. Treasury obligations and repurchase agreements secured by those securities, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Money Market Fund [Text]

rr_RiskMoneyMarketFund

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Fund Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 677-3863

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

firstamericanfunds.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended March 31, 2007           1.24%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Institutional Investor Shares | First American Treasury Obligations Fund | Institutional Investor Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice

none

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Shareholder Servicing Fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.10%

Miscellaneous

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.15%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

1 year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

36

3 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

113

5 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

197

10 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

443

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

4.72%

^[1]

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

1.51%

^[1]

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

0.12%

^[1]

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.00%

^[1]

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.00%

^[1]

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.00%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Mar. 31, 2007

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

1.24%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.00%

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

none

Five Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.25%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.73%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Mar. 31, 2006

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Class Z Shares | First American Prime Obligations Fund

Fund Summaries
Prime Obligations Fund

Investment Objective

Prime Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Fees and Expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	Class Z Shares First American Prime Obligations Fund Class Z
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	none

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses		Class Z Shares First American Prime Obligations Fund Class Z
Management Fees		0.10%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees		none
Other Expenses		0.15%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses		0.25%
Less Fee Waivers	[1]	(0.05%)
Net Expenses	[1]	0.20%

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	Class Z Shares First American Prime Obligations Fund Class Z
1 year	20
3 years	75
5 years	136
10 years	313

Principal Investment Strategies

Prime Obligations Fund invests in high-quality short-term debt obligations, including:

• commercial paper.
• U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of domestic and foreign banks with total assets of at least $500 million (including fixed and variable rate certificates of deposit, time deposits, and bankers’ acceptances).
• non-convertible corporate debt securities.
• securities issued by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities.
• municipal securities, including variable rate demand notes, commercial paper, and municipal notes and other short-term municipal obligations.
• loan participation interests.
• repurchase agreements for the securities in which the fund may invest.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Under normal market conditions, portfolio managers will only purchase (and hold) securities in the fund if they are rated in the top short-term rating category, for example, a rating of A-1 or a rating of Prime-1. If the rating of a security is reduced below the top short-term rating category after purchase, portfolio managers will make every attempt to sell the security, unless they have determined that it would not be in the best interest of the fund to dispose of the security at that time and, where necessary, have obtained the approval of the fund’s board of directors to continue to hold the security.

The fund will limit its collective investments in dollar-denominated obligations of foreign branches of domestic banks (which are not subject to the same regulation as U.S. banks) and in dollar-denominated obligations of foreign banks and foreign corporations to less than 25% of its total assets.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Foreign Security Risk — Securities of foreign issuers, even when dollar denominated and publicly traded in the United States, may involve risks not associated with the securities of domestic issuers.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the security when properly tendered by the fund.

Municipal Security Risk — The value of municipal securities owned by the fund may be adversely affected by future changes in federal income tax laws, including rate reductions or the imposition of a flat tax, and adverse changes in the financial conditions of municipal securities issuers.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Variable Rate Demand Note (VRDN) Risk — Investments in VRDNs involve credit risk with respect to the issuer or financial institution providing the fund with the credit and liquidity support for the unconditional put option. While the fund invests only in VRDNs of high quality issuers, or which are supported by high quality financial institutions, it is still possible that an issuer or financial institution could default on its obligations.

Fund Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended September 30, 2007           1.32%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*           0.01%

^*Most recent quarter with this return during the

period of the chart.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Average Annual Total Returns	Inception Date	One Year	Five Years	Since Inception
Class Z Shares First American Prime Obligations Fund Class Z	Aug. 01, 2003	0.05%	1.72%	2.17%

[1] The advisor has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse other fund expenses through October 31, 2013, so that total annual fund operating expenses, after waivers, do not exceed 0.20%. These fee waivers and expense reimbursements may be terminated at any time after October 31, 2013, at the discretion of the advisor. Prior to that time, such waivers and reimbursements may not be terminated without the approval of the fund's board of directors.

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.05%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 30, 2012

Class I Shares | First American Prime Obligations Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summary
Prime Obligations Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Prime Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example:

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Prime Obligations Fund invests in high-quality short-term debt obligations, including:

• commercial paper.
• U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of domestic and foreign banks with total assets of at least $500 million (including fixed and variable rate certificates of deposit, time deposits, and bankers’ acceptances).
• non-convertible corporate debt securities.
• securities issued by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities.
• municipal securities, including variable rate demand notes, commercial paper, and municipal notes and other short-term municipal obligations.
• loan participation interests.
• repurchase agreements for the securities in which the fund may invest.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Under normal market conditions, portfolio managers will only purchase (and hold) securities in the fund if they are rated in the top short-term rating category, for example, a rating of A-1 or a rating of Prime-1. If the rating of a security is reduced below the top short-term rating category after purchase, portfolio managers will make every attempt to sell the security, unless they have determined that it would not be in the best interest of the fund to dispose of the security at that time and, where necessary, have obtained the approval of the fund’s board of directors to continue to hold the security.

The fund will limit its collective investments in dollar-denominated obligations of foreign branches of domestic banks (which are not subject to the same regulation as U.S. banks) and in dollar-denominated obligations of foreign banks and foreign corporations to less than 25% of its total assets.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Foreign Security Risk — Securities of foreign issuers, even when dollar denominated and publicly traded in the United States, may involve risks not associated with the securities of domestic issuers.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the security when properly tendered by the fund.

Municipal Security Risk — The value of municipal securities owned by the fund may be adversely affected by future changes in federal income tax laws, including rate reductions or the imposition of a flat tax, and adverse changes in the financial conditions of municipal securities issuers.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Variable Rate Demand Note (VRDN) Risk — Investments in VRDNs involve credit risk with respect to the issuer or financial institution providing the fund with the credit and liquidity support for the unconditional put option. While the fund invests only in VRDNs of high quality issuers, or which are supported by high quality financial institutions, it is still possible that an issuer or financial institution could default on its obligations.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Money Market Fund [Text]

rr_RiskMoneyMarketFund

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Fund Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 677-3863

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

firstamericanfunds.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended September 30, 2007           1.27%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*           0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return during the

period of the chart.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Class I Shares | First American Prime Obligations Fund | Class I

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice

none

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Shareholder Servicing Fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.20%

Miscellaneous

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.15%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.45%

1 year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

46

3 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

144

5 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

252

10 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

567

2002

rr_AnnualReturn2002

1.61%

^[1]

2003

rr_AnnualReturn2003

0.90%

^[1]

2004

rr_AnnualReturn2004

1.08%

^[1]

2005

rr_AnnualReturn2005

2.91%

^[1]

2006

rr_AnnualReturn2006

4.77%

^[1]

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

5.02%

^[1]

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

2.64%

^[1]

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

0.28%

^[1]

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.00%

^[1]

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.00%

^[1]

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.00%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2007

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

1.27%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.00%

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

none

Five Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.57%

Ten Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

1.91%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Sep. 24, 2001

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 30, 2012

Institutional Investor Shares | First American Government Obligations Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summaries
Government Obligations Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Government Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example:

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Government Obligations Fund invests exclusively in short-term U.S. government securities, including repurchase agreements secured by U.S. government securities. U.S. government securities are bonds or other debt obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Treasury securities and some obligations of U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities are supported by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. government. Other U.S. government securities are backed by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. Still others are supported only by the credit of the issuer or instrumentality.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests solely in U.S. government securities and repurchase agreements secured by those securities, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Money Market Fund [Text]

rr_RiskMoneyMarketFund

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Fund Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 677-3863

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

firstamericanfunds.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended September 30, 2007    1.25%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Institutional Investor Shares | First American Government Obligations Fund | Institutional Investor Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice

none

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Shareholder Servicing Fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.10%

Miscellaneous

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.14%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.34%

1 year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

35

3 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

109

5 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

191

10 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

431

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

4.96%

^[1]

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

2.21%

^[1]

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

0.19%

^[1]

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.00%

^[1]

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.00%

^[1]

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.01%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2007

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

1.25%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.00%

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

none

Five Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.45%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.91%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Mar. 31, 2006

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.01%.

XML

Institutional Investor Shares | First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund

Fund Summaries
U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund

Investment Objective

U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Fees and Expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	Institutional Investor Shares First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Institutional Investor Class
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	none

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses	Institutional Investor Shares First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Institutional Investor Class
Management Fees	0.10%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees	none
Shareholder Servicing Fee	0.10%
Miscellaneous	0.20%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.40%

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	Institutional Investor Shares First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Institutional Investor Class
1 year	41
3 years	128
5 years	224
10 years	505

Principal Investment Strategies

U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund invests exclusively in direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury and other money market funds that invest exclusively in such obligations. The U.S. Treasury obligations in which the fund invests include U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills. These types of Treasury securities are essentially the same except for differences in interest rates, maturities, and dates of issuance. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Additional Expenses — If the fund invests in money market funds advised by another investment advisor, you will bear both your proportionate share of the expenses in the fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of such other money market fund.

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests solely in U.S. Treasury obligations and other money market funds that invest exclusively in those obligations, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Fund Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended March 31, 2007           1.19%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Average Annual Total Returns	Inception Date	One Year	Five Years	Since Inception
Institutional Investor Shares First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Institutional Investor Class	Mar. 31, 2006	none	1.16%	1.61%

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Class Y Shares | First American Government Obligations Fund

Fund Summaries
Government Obligations Fund

Investment Objective

Government Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Fees and Expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	Class Y Shares First American Government Obligations Fund Class Y
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	none

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses	Class Y Shares First American Government Obligations Fund Class Y
Management Fees	0.10%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees	none
Shareholder Servicing Fee	0.25%
Miscellaneous	0.15%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.50%

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	Class Y Shares First American Government Obligations Fund Class Y
1 year	51
3 years	160
5 years	280
10 years	628

Principal Investment Strategies

Government Obligations Fund invests exclusively in short-term U.S. government securities, including repurchase agreements secured by U.S. government securities. U.S. government securities are bonds or other debt obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Treasury securities and some obligations of U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities are supported by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. government. Other U.S. government securities are backed by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. Still others are supported only by the credit of the issuer or instrumentality.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests solely in U.S. government securities and repurchase agreements secured by those securities, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Fund Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2006    1.24%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Average Annual Total Returns	Inception Date	One Year	Five Years	Ten Years
Class Y Shares First American Government Obligations Fund Class Y	Mar. 01, 1990	none	1.37%	1.75%

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.01%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 30, 2012

Class Z Shares | First American Prime Obligations Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summaries
Prime Obligations Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Prime Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

October 31, 2013

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example:

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Prime Obligations Fund invests in high-quality short-term debt obligations, including:

• commercial paper.
• U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of domestic and foreign banks with total assets of at least $500 million (including fixed and variable rate certificates of deposit, time deposits, and bankers’ acceptances).
• non-convertible corporate debt securities.
• securities issued by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities.
• municipal securities, including variable rate demand notes, commercial paper, and municipal notes and other short-term municipal obligations.
• loan participation interests.
• repurchase agreements for the securities in which the fund may invest.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Under normal market conditions, portfolio managers will only purchase (and hold) securities in the fund if they are rated in the top short-term rating category, for example, a rating of A-1 or a rating of Prime-1. If the rating of a security is reduced below the top short-term rating category after purchase, portfolio managers will make every attempt to sell the security, unless they have determined that it would not be in the best interest of the fund to dispose of the security at that time and, where necessary, have obtained the approval of the fund’s board of directors to continue to hold the security.

The fund will limit its collective investments in dollar-denominated obligations of foreign branches of domestic banks (which are not subject to the same regulation as U.S. banks) and in dollar-denominated obligations of foreign banks and foreign corporations to less than 25% of its total assets.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Foreign Security Risk — Securities of foreign issuers, even when dollar denominated and publicly traded in the United States, may involve risks not associated with the securities of domestic issuers.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the security when properly tendered by the fund.

Municipal Security Risk — The value of municipal securities owned by the fund may be adversely affected by future changes in federal income tax laws, including rate reductions or the imposition of a flat tax, and adverse changes in the financial conditions of municipal securities issuers.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Variable Rate Demand Note (VRDN) Risk — Investments in VRDNs involve credit risk with respect to the issuer or financial institution providing the fund with the credit and liquidity support for the unconditional put option. While the fund invests only in VRDNs of high quality issuers, or which are supported by high quality financial institutions, it is still possible that an issuer or financial institution could default on its obligations.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Money Market Fund [Text]

rr_RiskMoneyMarketFund

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Fund Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 677-3863

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

firstamericanfunds.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended September 30, 2007           1.32%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*           0.01%

^*Most recent quarter with this return during the

period of the chart.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Class Z Shares | First American Prime Obligations Fund | Class Z

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice

none

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.15%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Less Fee Waivers

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.05%)

^[1]

Net Expenses

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.20%

^[1]

1 year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

20

3 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

75

5 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

136

10 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

313

2004

rr_AnnualReturn2004

1.28%

^[2]

2005

rr_AnnualReturn2005

3.11%

^[2]

2006

rr_AnnualReturn2006

4.98%

^[2]

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

5.23%

^[2]

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

2.85%

^[2]

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

0.46%

^[2]

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.09%

^[2]

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.05%

^[2]

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.05%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2007

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

1.32%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.01%

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

0.05%

Five Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.72%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.17%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Aug. 01, 2003

[1] The advisor has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse other fund expenses through October 31, 2013, so that total annual fund operating expenses, after waivers, do not exceed 0.20%. These fee waivers and expense reimbursements may be terminated at any time after October 31, 2013, at the discretion of the advisor. Prior to that time, such waivers and reimbursements may not be terminated without the approval of the fund's board of directors.

[2] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.05%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 30, 2012

Class D Shares | First American Tax Free Obligations Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summaries
Tax Free Obligations Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Tax Free Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income exempt from federal income taxes consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example:

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, Tax Free Obligations Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in high-quality, short-term municipal securities that pay interest that is exempt from federal income tax, including the federal alternative minimum tax. The municipal securities in which the fund invests include variable rate demand notes, which are floating rate instruments with a one- or seven-day put option that typically have some form of external credit or liquidity support. The fund also may invest in other municipal securities, including commercial paper, municipal notes and other short-term municipal obligations.

Municipal securities are issued by state and local governments, and certain U.S. territorial possessions to finance public infrastructure projects such as streets and highways, schools, water and sewer systems, hospitals, and airports. They also may be issued to refinance outstanding obligations as well as to obtain funds for general operating expenses and for loans to other public institutions and facilities. There are two principal classifications of municipal securities:

• general obligation bonds, which are backed by the full faith, credit, and taxing power of the issuer.
• revenue bonds, which are payable only from the revenues generated by a specific project or from another specific revenue source.

Under normal market conditions, up to 20% of the fund’s total assets may be invested in taxable money market securities and municipal securities subject to the alternative minimum tax, although the fund does not currently intend to invest in municipal securities subject to the alternative minimum tax. Under abnormal market conditions, the fund may invest more than 20% of its total assets in such taxable securities, as conditions dictate. This may prevent the fund from achieving its goal of providing maximum current income exempt from federal income taxes.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Because the fund refers to tax-free investments in its name, it has a fundamental investment policy that it will normally invest in assets so that at least 80% of the income that it distributes will be exempt from federal regular income tax. This policy may not be changed without shareholder approval.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the security when properly tendered by the fund.

Municipal Security Risk — The value of municipal securities owned by the fund may be adversely affected by future changes in federal income tax laws, including rate reductions or the imposition of a flat tax, and adverse changes in the financial conditions of municipal securities issuers.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Tax Risk — In order to be tax-exempt, municipal securities generally must meet certain regulatory requirements. If a municipal security fails to meet these requirements, the interest received by the fund from its investment in the security and distributed to shareholders may be taxable.

Variable Rate Demand Note (VRDN) Risk — Investments in VRDNs involve credit risk with respect to the issuer or financial institution providing the fund with the credit and liquidity support for the unconditional put option. While the fund invests only in VRDNs of high quality issuers, or which are supported by high quality financial institutions, it is still possible that an issuer or financial institution could default on its obligations.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Money Market Fund [Text]

rr_RiskMoneyMarketFund

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Fund Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 677-3863

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

firstamericanfunds.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended September 30, 2007    0.79%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Class D Shares | First American Tax Free Obligations Fund | Class D

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice

none

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

Shareholder Servicing Fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Miscellaneous

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.21%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.71%

1 year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

73

3 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

227

5 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

395

10 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

883

2002

rr_AnnualReturn2002

0.91%

^[1]

2003

rr_AnnualReturn2003

0.50%

^[1]

2004

rr_AnnualReturn2004

0.65%

^[1]

2005

rr_AnnualReturn2005

1.83%

^[1]

2006

rr_AnnualReturn2006

2.87%

^[1]

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

3.08%

^[1]

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

1.54%

^[1]

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

0.00%

^[1]

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.00%

^[1]

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.00%

^[1]

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.00%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2007

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

0.79%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.00%

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

none

Five Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

0.92%

Ten Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

1.13%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 26, 1997

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 30, 2012

Class Z Shares | First American Tax Free Obligations Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summaries
Tax Free Obligations Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Tax Free Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income exempt from federal income taxes consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

October 31, 2013

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example:

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, Tax Free Obligations Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in high-quality, short-term municipal securities that pay interest that is exempt from federal income tax, including the federal alternative minimum tax. The municipal securities in which the fund invests include variable rate demand notes, which are floating rate instruments with a one- or seven-day put option that typically have some form of external credit or liquidity support. The fund also may invest in other municipal securities, including commercial paper, municipal notes and other short-term municipal obligations.

Municipal securities are issued by state and local governments, and certain U.S. territorial possessions to finance public infrastructure projects such as streets and highways, schools, water and sewer systems, hospitals, and airports. They also may be issued to refinance outstanding obligations as well as to obtain funds for general operating expenses and for loans to other public institutions and facilities. There are two principal classifications of municipal securities:

• general obligation bonds, which are backed by the full faith, credit, and taxing power of the issuer.
• revenue bonds, which are payable only from the revenues generated by a specific project or from another specific revenue source.

Under normal market conditions, up to 20% of the fund’s total assets may be invested in taxable money market securities and municipal securities subject to the alternative minimum tax, although the fund does not currently intend to invest in municipal securities subject to the alternative minimum tax. Under abnormal market conditions, the fund may invest more than 20% of its total assets in such taxable securities, as conditions dictate. This may prevent the fund from achieving its goal of providing maximum current income exempt from federal income taxes.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Because the fund refers to tax-free investments in its name, it has a fundamental investment policy that it will normally invest in assets so that at least 80% of the income that it distributes will be exempt from federal regular income tax. This policy may not be changed without shareholder approval.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the security when properly tendered by the fund.

Municipal Security Risk — The value of municipal securities owned by the fund may be adversely affected by future changes in federal income tax laws, including rate reductions or the imposition of a flat tax, and adverse changes in the financial conditions of municipal securities issuers.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Tax Risk — In order to be tax-exempt, municipal securities generally must meet certain regulatory requirements. If a municipal security fails to meet these requirements, the interest received by the fund from its investment in the security and distributed to shareholders may be taxable.

Variable Rate Demand Note (VRDN) Risk — Investments in VRDNs involve credit risk with respect to the issuer or financial institution providing the fund with the credit and liquidity support for the unconditional put option. While the fund invests only in VRDNs of high quality issuers, or which are supported by high quality financial institutions, it is still possible that an issuer or financial institution could default on its obligations.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Money Market Fund [Text]

rr_RiskMoneyMarketFund

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Fund Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 677-3863

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

firstamericanfunds.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended June 30, 2007                       0.90%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*            0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return during the

period of the chart.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Class Z Shares | First American Tax Free Obligations Fund | Class Z

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice

none

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.21%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.31%

Less Fee Waivers

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.11%)

^[1]

Net Expenses

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.20%

^[1]

1 year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

20

3 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

89

5 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

163

10 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

382

2004

rr_AnnualReturn2004

1.05%

^[2]

2005

rr_AnnualReturn2005

2.24%

^[2]

2006

rr_AnnualReturn2006

3.29%

^[2]

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

3.49%

^[2]

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

1.95%

^[2]

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

0.16%

^[2]

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.02%

^[2]

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.00%

^[2]

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.00%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Jun. 30, 2007

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

0.90%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.00%

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

none

Five Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.11%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.51%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 01, 2003

[1] The advisor has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse other fund expenses through October 31, 2013, so that total annual fund operating expenses, after waivers, do not exceed 0.20%. These fee waivers and expense reimbursements may be terminated at any time after October 31, 2013, at the discretion of the advisor. Prior to that time, such waivers and reimbursements may not be terminated without the approval of the fund's board of directors.

[2] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 30, 2012

Class Z Shares | First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summaries
U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

October 31, 2013

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example:

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund invests exclusively in direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury and other money market funds that invest exclusively in such obligations. The U.S. Treasury obligations in which the fund invests include U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills. These types of Treasury securities are essentially the same except for differences in interest rates, maturities, and dates of issuance. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Additional Expenses — If the fund invests in money market funds advised by another investment advisor, you will bear both your proportionate share of the expenses in the fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of such other money market fund.

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests solely in U.S. Treasury obligations and other money market funds that invest exclusively in those obligations, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Money Market Fund [Text]

rr_RiskMoneyMarketFund

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Fund Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 677-3863

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

firstamericanfunds.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2006              1.22%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*            0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return during the

period of the chart.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Class Z Shares | First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund | Class Z

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice

none

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.21%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.31%

Less Fee Waivers

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.11%)

^[1]

Net Expenses

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.20%

^[1]

1 year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

20

3 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

89

5 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

163

10 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

382

2005

rr_AnnualReturn2005

2.83%

^[2]

2006

rr_AnnualReturn2006

4.63%

^[2]

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

4.52%

^[2]

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

1.52%

^[2]

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

0.03%

^[2]

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.00%

^[2]

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.00%

^[2]

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.00%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2006

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

1.22%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.00%

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

none

Five Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.20%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.91%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 25, 2004

[1] The advisor has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse other fund expenses through October 31, 2013, so that total annual fund operating expenses, after waivers, do not exceed 0.20%. These fee waivers and expense reimbursements may be terminated at any time after October 31, 2013, at the discretion of the advisor. Prior to that time, such waivers and reimbursements may not be terminated without the approval of the fund's board of directors.

[2] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Class Y Shares | First American Prime Obligations Fund

Fund Summaries
Prime Obligations Fund

Investment Objective

Prime Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Fees and Expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	Class Y Shares First American Prime Obligations Fund Class Y
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	none

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses	Class Y Shares First American Prime Obligations Fund Class Y
Management Fees	0.10%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees	none
Shareholder Servicing Fee	0.25%
Miscellaneous	0.15%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.50%

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	Class Y Shares First American Prime Obligations Fund Class Y
1 year	51
3 years	160
5 years	280
10 years	628

Principal Investment Strategies

Prime Obligations Fund invests in high-quality short-term debt obligations, including:

• commercial paper.
• U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of domestic and foreign banks with total assets of at least $500 million (including fixed and variable rate certificates of deposit, time deposits, and bankers’ acceptances).
• non-convertible corporate debt securities.
• securities issued by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities.
• municipal securities, including variable rate demand notes, commercial paper, and municipal notes and other short-term municipal obligations.
• loan participation interests.
• repurchase agreements for the securities in which the fund may invest.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Under normal market conditions, portfolio managers will only purchase (and hold) securities in the fund if they are rated in the top short-term rating category, for example, a rating of A-1 or a rating of Prime-1. If the rating of a security is reduced below the top short-term rating category after purchase, portfolio managers will make every attempt to sell the security, unless they have determined that it would not be in the best interest of the fund to dispose of the security at that time and, where necessary, have obtained the approval of the fund’s board of directors to continue to hold the security.

The fund will limit its collective investments in dollar-denominated obligations of foreign branches of domestic banks (which are not subject to the same regulation as U.S. banks) and in dollar-denominated obligations of foreign banks and foreign corporations to less than 25% of its total assets.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Foreign Security Risk — Securities of foreign issuers, even when dollar denominated and publicly traded in the United States, may involve risks not associated with the securities of domestic issuers.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the security when properly tendered by the fund.

Municipal Security Risk — The value of municipal securities owned by the fund may be adversely affected by future changes in federal income tax laws, including rate reductions or the imposition of a flat tax, and adverse changes in the financial conditions of municipal securities issuers.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Variable Rate Demand Note (VRDN) Risk — Investments in VRDNs involve credit risk with respect to the issuer or financial institution providing the fund with the credit and liquidity support for the unconditional put option. While the fund invests only in VRDNs of high quality issuers, or which are supported by high quality financial institutions, it is still possible that an issuer or financial institution could default on its obligations.

Fund Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended September 30, 2007    1.25%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Average Annual Total Returns	Inception Date	One Year	Five Years	Ten Years
Class Y Shares First American Prime Obligations Fund Class Y	Mar. 01, 1990	none	1.53%	1.85%

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Institutional Investor Shares | First American Government Obligations Fund

Fund Summaries
Government Obligations Fund

Investment Objective

Government Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Fees and Expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	Institutional Investor Shares First American Government Obligations Fund Institutional Investor Class
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	none

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses	Institutional Investor Shares First American Government Obligations Fund Institutional Investor Class
Management Fees	0.10%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees	none
Shareholder Servicing Fee	0.10%
Miscellaneous	0.14%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.34%

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	Institutional Investor Shares First American Government Obligations Fund Institutional Investor Class
1 year	35
3 years	109
5 years	191
10 years	431

Principal Investment Strategies

Government Obligations Fund invests exclusively in short-term U.S. government securities, including repurchase agreements secured by U.S. government securities. U.S. government securities are bonds or other debt obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Treasury securities and some obligations of U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities are supported by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. government. Other U.S. government securities are backed by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. Still others are supported only by the credit of the issuer or instrumentality.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests solely in U.S. government securities and repurchase agreements secured by those securities, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Fund Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended September 30, 2007    1.25%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Average Annual Total Returns	Inception Date	One Year	Five Years	Since Inception
Institutional Investor Shares First American Government Obligations Fund Institutional Investor Class	Mar. 31, 2006	none	1.45%	1.91%

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.01%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 30, 2012

Class D Shares | First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summaries
U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example:

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund invests exclusively in direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury and other money market funds that invest exclusively in such obligations. The U.S. Treasury obligations in which the fund invests include U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills. These types of Treasury securities are essentially the same except for differences in interest rates, maturities, and dates of issuance. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Additional Expenses — If the fund invests in money market funds advised by another investment advisor, you will bear both your proportionate share of the expenses in the fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of such other money market fund.

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests solely in U.S. Treasury obligations and other money market funds that invest exclusively in those obligations, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Money Market Fund [Text]

rr_RiskMoneyMarketFund

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Fund Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 677-3863

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

firstamericanfunds.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2006     1.12%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Class D Shares | First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund | Class D

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice

none

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

Shareholder Servicing Fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Miscellaneous

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.21%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.71%

1 year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

73

3 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

227

5 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

395

10 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

883

2005

rr_AnnualReturn2005

2.39%

^[1]

2006

rr_AnnualReturn2006

4.20%

^[1]

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

4.11%

^[1]

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

1.13%

^[1]

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

0.00%

^[1]

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.00%

^[1]

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.00%

^[1]

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.00%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2006

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

1.12%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.00%

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

none

Five Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.03%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.67%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 25, 2004

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 30, 2012

Class Z Shares | First American Treasury Obligations Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summaries
Treasury Obligations Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Treasury Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

October 31, 2013

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example:

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, Treasury Obligations Fund invests exclusively in short-term U.S. Treasury obligations, including repurchase agreements secured by U.S. Treasury obligations. The U.S. Treasury obligations in which the fund invests include U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills. These types of Treasury securities are essentially the same except for differences in interest rates, maturities, and dates of issuance. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests primarily in U.S. Treasury obligations and repurchase agreements secured by those securities, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Money Market Fund [Text]

rr_RiskMoneyMarketFund

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Fund Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 677-3863

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

firstamericanfunds.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2006            1.29%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*           0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return during the

period of the chart.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Class Z Shares | First American Treasury Obligations Fund | Class Z

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice

none

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.14%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.24%

Less Fee Waivers

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.04%)

^[1]

Net Expenses

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.20%

^[1]

1 year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

20

3 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

73

5 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

131

10 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

302

2004

rr_AnnualReturn2004

1.16%

^[2]

2005

rr_AnnualReturn2005

2.98%

^[2]

2006

rr_AnnualReturn2006

4.87%

^[2]

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

4.82%

^[2]

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

1.60%

^[2]

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

0.17%

^[2]

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.00%

^[2]

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.00%

^[2]

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.00%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2006

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

1.29%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.00%

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

none

Five Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.30%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.92%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 01, 2003

[1] The advisor has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse other fund expenses through October 31, 2013, so that total annual fund operating expenses, after waivers, do not exceed 0.20%. These fee waivers and expense reimbursements may be terminated at any time after October 31, 2013, at the discretion of the advisor. Prior to that time, such waivers and reimbursements may not be terminated without the approval of the fund's board of directors.

[2] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 30, 2012

Class D Shares | First American Prime Obligations Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summaries
Prime Obligations Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Prime Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example:

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Prime Obligations Fund invests in high-quality short-term debt obligations, including:

• commercial paper.
• U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of domestic and foreign banks with total assets of at least $500 million (including fixed and variable rate certificates of deposit, time deposits, and bankers’ acceptances).
• non-convertible corporate debt securities.
• securities issued by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities.
• municipal securities, including variable rate demand notes, commercial paper, and municipal notes and other short-term municipal obligations.
• loan participation interests.
• repurchase agreements for the securities in which the fund may invest.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Under normal market conditions, portfolio managers will only purchase (and hold) securities in the fund if they are rated in the top short-term rating category, for example, a rating of A-1 or a rating of Prime-1. If the rating of a security is reduced below the top short-term rating category after purchase, portfolio managers will make every attempt to sell the security, unless they have determined that it would not be in the best interest of the fund to dispose of the security at that time and, where necessary, have obtained the approval of the fund’s board of directors to continue to hold the security.

The fund will limit its collective investments in dollar-denominated obligations of foreign branches of domestic banks (which are not subject to the same regulation as U.S. banks) and in dollar-denominated obligations of foreign banks and foreign corporations to less than 25% of its total assets.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Foreign Security Risk — Securities of foreign issuers, even when dollar denominated and publicly traded in the United States, may involve risks not associated with the securities of domestic issuers.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the security when properly tendered by the fund.

Municipal Security Risk — The value of municipal securities owned by the fund may be adversely affected by future changes in federal income tax laws, including rate reductions or the imposition of a flat tax, and adverse changes in the financial conditions of municipal securities issuers.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Variable Rate Demand Note (VRDN) Risk — Investments in VRDNs involve credit risk with respect to the issuer or financial institution providing the fund with the credit and liquidity support for the unconditional put option. While the fund invests only in VRDNs of high quality issuers, or which are supported by high quality financial institutions, it is still possible that an issuer or financial institution could default on its obligations.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Money Market Fund [Text]

rr_RiskMoneyMarketFund

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Fund Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 677-3863

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

firstamericanfunds.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended September 30, 2007    1.21%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Class D Shares | First American Prime Obligations Fund | Class D

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice

none

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

Shareholder Servicing Fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Miscellaneous

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.15%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.65%

1 year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

66

3 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

208

5 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

362

10 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

810

2002

rr_AnnualReturn2002

1.38%

^[1]

2003

rr_AnnualReturn2003

0.67%

^[1]

2004

rr_AnnualReturn2004

0.84%

^[1]

2005

rr_AnnualReturn2005

2.67%

^[1]

2006

rr_AnnualReturn2006

4.53%

^[1]

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

4.78%

^[1]

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

2.41%

^[1]

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

0.16%

^[1]

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.00%

^[1]

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.00%

^[1]

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.00%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2007

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

1.21%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.00%

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

none

Five Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.45%

Ten Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

1.73%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 24, 1995

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Institutional Investor Shares | First American Prime Obligations Fund

Fund Summaries
Prime Obligations Fund

Investment Objective

Prime Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Fees and Expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	Institutional Investor Shares First American Prime Obligations Fund Institutional Investor Class
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	none

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses	Institutional Investor Shares First American Prime Obligations Fund Institutional Investor Class
Management Fees	0.10%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees	none
Shareholder Servicing Fee	0.10%
Miscellaneous	0.15%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.35%

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	Institutional Investor Shares First American Prime Obligations Fund Institutional Investor Class
1 year	36
3 years	113
5 years	197
10 years	443

Principal Investment Strategies

Prime Obligations Fund invests in high-quality short-term debt obligations, including:

• commercial paper.
• U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of domestic and foreign banks with total assets of at least $500 million (including fixed and variable rate certificates of deposit, time deposits, and bankers’ acceptances).
• non-convertible corporate debt securities.
• securities issued by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities.
• municipal securities, including variable rate demand notes, commercial paper, and municipal notes and other short-term municipal obligations.
• loan participation interests.
• repurchase agreements for the securities in which the fund may invest.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Under normal market conditions, portfolio managers will only purchase (and hold) securities in the fund if they are rated in the top short-term rating category, for example, a rating of A-1 or a rating of Prime-1. If the rating of a security is reduced below the top short-term rating category after purchase, portfolio managers will make every attempt to sell the security, unless they have determined that it would not be in the best interest of the fund to dispose of the security at that time and, where necessary, have obtained the approval of the fund’s board of directors to continue to hold the security.

The fund will limit its collective investments in dollar-denominated obligations of foreign branches of domestic banks (which are not subject to the same regulation as U.S. banks) and in dollar-denominated obligations of foreign banks and foreign corporations to less than 25% of its total assets.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Foreign Security Risk — Securities of foreign issuers, even when dollar denominated and publicly traded in the United States, may involve risks not associated with the securities of domestic issuers.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the security when properly tendered by the fund.

Municipal Security Risk — The value of municipal securities owned by the fund may be adversely affected by future changes in federal income tax laws, including rate reductions or the imposition of a flat tax, and adverse changes in the financial conditions of municipal securities issuers.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Variable Rate Demand Note (VRDN) Risk — Investments in VRDNs involve credit risk with respect to the issuer or financial institution providing the fund with the credit and liquidity support for the unconditional put option. While the fund invests only in VRDNs of high quality issuers, or which are supported by high quality financial institutions, it is still possible that an issuer or financial institution could default on its obligations.

Fund Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended September 30, 2007     1.29%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Average Annual Total Returns	Inception Date	One Year	Five Years	Since Inception
Institutional Investor Shares First American Prime Obligations Fund Institutional Investor Class	Mar. 31, 2006	none	1.63%	2.07%

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Class D Shares | First American Government Obligations Fund

Fund Summaries
Government Obligations Fund

Investment Objective

Government Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Fees and Expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	Class D Shares First American Government Obligations Fund Class D
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	none

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses	Class D Shares First American Government Obligations Fund Class D
Management Fees	0.10%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees	0.15%
Shareholder Servicing Fee	0.25%
Miscellaneous	0.15%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.65%

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	Class D Shares First American Government Obligations Fund Class D
1 year	66
3 years	208
5 years	362
10 years	810

Principal Investment Strategies

Government Obligations Fund invests exclusively in short-term U.S. government securities, including repurchase agreements secured by U.S. government securities. U.S. government securities are bonds or other debt obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Treasury securities and some obligations of U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities are supported by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. government. Other U.S. government securities are backed by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. Still others are supported only by the credit of the issuer or instrumentality.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests solely in U.S. government securities and repurchase agreements secured by those securities, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Fund Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2006    1.20%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Average Annual Total Returns	Inception Date	One Year	Five Years	Ten Years
Class D Shares First American Government Obligations Fund Class D	Jan. 21, 1995	none	1.30%	1.64%

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.01%.

XML

Class A Shares | First American Prime Obligations Fund

Fund Summaries
Prime Obligations Fund

Investment Objective

Prime Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Fees and Expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees (USD $)	Class A Shares First American Prime Obligations Fund Class A
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	none
Annual Low Balance Account Fee (for accounts under $2,500)	15

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses	Class A Shares First American Prime Obligations Fund Class A
Management Fees	0.10%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees	0.25%
Shareholder Servicing Fee	0.25%
Miscellaneous	0.20%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.80%

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	Class A Shares First American Prime Obligations Fund Class A
1 year	82
3 years	255
5 years	444
10 years	990

Principal Investment Strategies

Prime Obligations Fund invests in high-quality short-term debt obligations, including:

• commercial paper.
• U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of domestic and foreign banks with total assets of at least $500 million (including fixed and variable rate certificates of deposit, time deposits, and bankers’ acceptances).
• non-convertible corporate debt securities.
• securities issued by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities.
• municipal securities, including variable rate demand notes, commercial paper, and municipal notes and other short-term municipal obligations.
• loan participation interests.
• repurchase agreements for the securities in which the fund may invest.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Under normal market conditions, portfolio managers will only purchase (and hold) securities in the fund if they are rated in the top short-term rating category, for example, a rating of A-1 or a rating of Prime-1. If the rating of a security is reduced below the top short-term rating category after purchase, portfolio managers will make every attempt to sell the security, unless they have determined that it would not be in the best interest of the fund to dispose of the security at that time and, where necessary, have obtained the approval of the fund’s board of directors to continue to hold the security.

The fund will limit its collective investments in dollar-denominated obligations of foreign branches of domestic banks (which are not subject to the same regulation as U.S. banks) and in dollar-denominated obligations of foreign banks and foreign corporations to less than 25% of its total assets.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Foreign Security Risk — Securities of foreign issuers, even when dollar denominated and publicly traded in the United States, may involve risks not associated with the securities of domestic issuers.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the security when properly tendered by the fund.

Municipal Security Risk — The value of municipal securities owned by the fund may be adversely affected by future changes in federal income tax laws, including rate reductions or the imposition of a flat tax, and adverse changes in the financial conditions of municipal securities issuers.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Variable Rate Demand Note (VRDN) Risk — Investments in VRDNs involve credit risk with respect to the issuer or financial institution providing the fund with the credit and liquidity support for the unconditional put option. While the fund invests only in VRDNs of high quality issuers, or which are supported by high quality financial institutions, it is still possible that an issuer or financial institution could default on its obligations.

Fund Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended September 30, 2007    1.17%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Average Annual Total Returns	Inception Date	One Year	Five Years	Ten Years
Class A Shares First American Prime Obligations Fund Class A	Sep. 24, 2001	none	1.38%	1.62%

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 30, 2012

Institutional Investor Shares | First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summaries
U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example:

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund invests exclusively in direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury and other money market funds that invest exclusively in such obligations. The U.S. Treasury obligations in which the fund invests include U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills. These types of Treasury securities are essentially the same except for differences in interest rates, maturities, and dates of issuance. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Additional Expenses — If the fund invests in money market funds advised by another investment advisor, you will bear both your proportionate share of the expenses in the fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of such other money market fund.

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests solely in U.S. Treasury obligations and other money market funds that invest exclusively in those obligations, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Money Market Fund [Text]

rr_RiskMoneyMarketFund

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Fund Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 677-3863

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

firstamericanfunds.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended March 31, 2007           1.19%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Institutional Investor Shares | First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund | Institutional Investor Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice

none

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Shareholder Servicing Fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.10%

Miscellaneous

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.20%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.40%

1 year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

41

3 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

128

5 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

224

10 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

505

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

4.42%

^[1]

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

1.42%

^[1]

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

0.00%

^[1]

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.00%

^[1]

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.00%

^[1]

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.00%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Mar. 31, 2007

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

1.19%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.00%

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

none

Five Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.16%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.61%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Mar. 31, 2006

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Class Z Shares | First American Tax Free Obligations Fund

Fund Summaries
Tax Free Obligations Fund

Investment Objective

Tax Free Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income exempt from federal income taxes consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Fees and Expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	Class Z Shares First American Tax Free Obligations Fund Class Z
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	none

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses		Class Z Shares First American Tax Free Obligations Fund Class Z
Management Fees		0.10%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees		none
Other Expenses		0.21%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses		0.31%
Less Fee Waivers	[1]	(0.11%)
Net Expenses	[1]	0.20%

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	Class Z Shares First American Tax Free Obligations Fund Class Z
1 year	20
3 years	89
5 years	163
10 years	382

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal market conditions, Tax Free Obligations Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in high-quality, short-term municipal securities that pay interest that is exempt from federal income tax, including the federal alternative minimum tax. The municipal securities in which the fund invests include variable rate demand notes, which are floating rate instruments with a one- or seven-day put option that typically have some form of external credit or liquidity support. The fund also may invest in other municipal securities, including commercial paper, municipal notes and other short-term municipal obligations.

Municipal securities are issued by state and local governments, and certain U.S. territorial possessions to finance public infrastructure projects such as streets and highways, schools, water and sewer systems, hospitals, and airports. They also may be issued to refinance outstanding obligations as well as to obtain funds for general operating expenses and for loans to other public institutions and facilities. There are two principal classifications of municipal securities:

• general obligation bonds, which are backed by the full faith, credit, and taxing power of the issuer.
• revenue bonds, which are payable only from the revenues generated by a specific project or from another specific revenue source.

Under normal market conditions, up to 20% of the fund’s total assets may be invested in taxable money market securities and municipal securities subject to the alternative minimum tax, although the fund does not currently intend to invest in municipal securities subject to the alternative minimum tax. Under abnormal market conditions, the fund may invest more than 20% of its total assets in such taxable securities, as conditions dictate. This may prevent the fund from achieving its goal of providing maximum current income exempt from federal income taxes.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Because the fund refers to tax-free investments in its name, it has a fundamental investment policy that it will normally invest in assets so that at least 80% of the income that it distributes will be exempt from federal regular income tax. This policy may not be changed without shareholder approval.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the security when properly tendered by the fund.

Municipal Security Risk — The value of municipal securities owned by the fund may be adversely affected by future changes in federal income tax laws, including rate reductions or the imposition of a flat tax, and adverse changes in the financial conditions of municipal securities issuers.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Tax Risk — In order to be tax-exempt, municipal securities generally must meet certain regulatory requirements. If a municipal security fails to meet these requirements, the interest received by the fund from its investment in the security and distributed to shareholders may be taxable.

Variable Rate Demand Note (VRDN) Risk — Investments in VRDNs involve credit risk with respect to the issuer or financial institution providing the fund with the credit and liquidity support for the unconditional put option. While the fund invests only in VRDNs of high quality issuers, or which are supported by high quality financial institutions, it is still possible that an issuer or financial institution could default on its obligations.

Fund Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended June 30, 2007                       0.90%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*            0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return during the

period of the chart.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Average Annual Total Returns	Inception Date	One Year	Five Years	Since Inception
Class Z Shares First American Tax Free Obligations Fund Class Z	Dec. 01, 2003	none	1.11%	1.51%

[1] The advisor has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse other fund expenses through October 31, 2013, so that total annual fund operating expenses, after waivers, do not exceed 0.20%. These fee waivers and expense reimbursements may be terminated at any time after October 31, 2013, at the discretion of the advisor. Prior to that time, such waivers and reimbursements may not be terminated without the approval of the fund's board of directors.

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 30, 2012

Class D Shares | First American Government Obligations Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summaries
Government Obligations Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Government Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example:

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Government Obligations Fund invests exclusively in short-term U.S. government securities, including repurchase agreements secured by U.S. government securities. U.S. government securities are bonds or other debt obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Treasury securities and some obligations of U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities are supported by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. government. Other U.S. government securities are backed by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. Still others are supported only by the credit of the issuer or instrumentality.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests solely in U.S. government securities and repurchase agreements secured by those securities, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Money Market Fund [Text]

rr_RiskMoneyMarketFund

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Fund Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 677-3863

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

firstamericanfunds.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2006    1.20%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Class D Shares | First American Government Obligations Fund | Class D

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice

none

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

Shareholder Servicing Fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Miscellaneous

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.15%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.65%

1 year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

66

3 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

208

5 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

362

10 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

810

2002

rr_AnnualReturn2002

1.34%

^[1]

2003

rr_AnnualReturn2003

0.64%

^[1]

2004

rr_AnnualReturn2004

0.81%

^[1]

2005

rr_AnnualReturn2005

2.66%

^[1]

2006

rr_AnnualReturn2006

4.50%

^[1]

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

4.64%

^[1]

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

1.90%

^[1]

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

0.05%

^[1]

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.00%

^[1]

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.00%

^[1]

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.01%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2006

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

1.20%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.00%

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

none

Five Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.30%

Ten Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

1.64%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 21, 1995

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.01%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 30, 2012

Class A Shares | First American Treasury Obligations Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summaries
Treasury Obligations Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Treasury Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example:

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, Treasury Obligations Fund invests exclusively in short-term U.S. Treasury obligations, including repurchase agreements secured by U.S. Treasury obligations. The U.S. Treasury obligations in which the fund invests include U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills. These types of Treasury securities are essentially the same except for differences in interest rates, maturities, and dates of issuance. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests primarily in U.S. Treasury obligations and repurchase agreements secured by those securities, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Money Market Fund [Text]

rr_RiskMoneyMarketFund

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Fund Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 677-3863

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

firstamericanfunds.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2006    1.15%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Class A Shares | First American Treasury Obligations Fund | Class A

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice

none

Annual Low Balance Account Fee (for accounts under $2,500)

rr_MaximumAccountFee

15

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Shareholder Servicing Fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Miscellaneous

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.19%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.79%

1 year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

81

3 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

252

5 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

439

10 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

978

2002

rr_AnnualReturn2002

1.12%

^[1]

2003

rr_AnnualReturn2003

0.42%

^[1]

2004

rr_AnnualReturn2004

0.60%

^[1]

2005

rr_AnnualReturn2005

2.41%

^[1]

2006

rr_AnnualReturn2006

4.30%

^[1]

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

4.25%

^[1]

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

1.12%

^[1]

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

0.00%

^[1]

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.00%

^[1]

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.00%

^[1]

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.00%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2006

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

1.15%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.00%

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

none

Five Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.06%

Ten Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

1.41%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Sep. 24, 2001

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Class Y Shares | First American Treasury Obligations Fund

Fund Summaries
Treasury Obligations Fund

Investment Objective

Treasury Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Fees and Expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	Class Y Shares First American Treasury Obligations Fund Class Y
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	none

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses	Class Y Shares First American Treasury Obligations Fund Class Y
Management Fees	0.10%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees	none
Shareholder Servicing Fee	0.25%
Miscellaneous	0.15%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.50%

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	Class Y Shares First American Treasury Obligations Fund Class Y
1 year	51
3 years	160
5 years	280
10 years	628

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal market conditions, Treasury Obligations Fund invests exclusively in short-term U.S. Treasury obligations, including repurchase agreements secured by U.S. Treasury obligations. The U.S. Treasury obligations in which the fund invests include U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills. These types of Treasury securities are essentially the same except for differences in interest rates, maturities, and dates of issuance. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests primarily in U.S. Treasury obligations and repurchase agreements secured by those securities, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Fund Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2006    1.23%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Average Annual Total Returns	Inception Date	One Year	Five Years	Ten Years
Class Y Shares First American Treasury Obligations Fund Class Y	Jan. 24, 1995	none	1.18%	1.62%

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Class D Shares | First American Prime Obligations Fund

Fund Summaries
Prime Obligations Fund

Investment Objective

Prime Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Fees and Expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	Class D Shares First American Prime Obligations Fund Class D
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	none

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses	Class D Shares First American Prime Obligations Fund Class D
Management Fees	0.10%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees	0.15%
Shareholder Servicing Fee	0.25%
Miscellaneous	0.15%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.65%

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	Class D Shares First American Prime Obligations Fund Class D
1 year	66
3 years	208
5 years	362
10 years	810

Principal Investment Strategies

Prime Obligations Fund invests in high-quality short-term debt obligations, including:

• commercial paper.
• U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of domestic and foreign banks with total assets of at least $500 million (including fixed and variable rate certificates of deposit, time deposits, and bankers’ acceptances).
• non-convertible corporate debt securities.
• securities issued by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities.
• municipal securities, including variable rate demand notes, commercial paper, and municipal notes and other short-term municipal obligations.
• loan participation interests.
• repurchase agreements for the securities in which the fund may invest.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Under normal market conditions, portfolio managers will only purchase (and hold) securities in the fund if they are rated in the top short-term rating category, for example, a rating of A-1 or a rating of Prime-1. If the rating of a security is reduced below the top short-term rating category after purchase, portfolio managers will make every attempt to sell the security, unless they have determined that it would not be in the best interest of the fund to dispose of the security at that time and, where necessary, have obtained the approval of the fund’s board of directors to continue to hold the security.

The fund will limit its collective investments in dollar-denominated obligations of foreign branches of domestic banks (which are not subject to the same regulation as U.S. banks) and in dollar-denominated obligations of foreign banks and foreign corporations to less than 25% of its total assets.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Foreign Security Risk — Securities of foreign issuers, even when dollar denominated and publicly traded in the United States, may involve risks not associated with the securities of domestic issuers.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the security when properly tendered by the fund.

Municipal Security Risk — The value of municipal securities owned by the fund may be adversely affected by future changes in federal income tax laws, including rate reductions or the imposition of a flat tax, and adverse changes in the financial conditions of municipal securities issuers.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Variable Rate Demand Note (VRDN) Risk — Investments in VRDNs involve credit risk with respect to the issuer or financial institution providing the fund with the credit and liquidity support for the unconditional put option. While the fund invests only in VRDNs of high quality issuers, or which are supported by high quality financial institutions, it is still possible that an issuer or financial institution could default on its obligations.

Fund Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended September 30, 2007    1.21%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Average Annual Total Returns	Inception Date	One Year	Five Years	Ten Years
Class D Shares First American Prime Obligations Fund Class D	Jan. 24, 1995	none	1.45%	1.73%

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Class A Shares | First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund

Fund Summaries
U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund

Investment Objective

U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Fees and Expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees (USD $)	Class A Shares First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Class A
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	none
Annual Low Balance Account Fee (for accounts under $2,500)	15

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses	Class A Shares First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Class A
Management Fees	0.10%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees	0.25%
Shareholder Servicing Fee	0.25%
Miscellaneous	0.26%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.86%

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	Class A Shares First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Class A
1 year	88
3 years	274
5 years	477
10 years	1,061

Principal Investment Strategies

U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund invests exclusively in direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury and other money market funds that invest exclusively in such obligations. The U.S. Treasury obligations in which the fund invests include U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills. These types of Treasury securities are essentially the same except for differences in interest rates, maturities, and dates of issuance. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Additional Expenses — If the fund invests in money market funds advised by another investment advisor, you will bear both your proportionate share of the expenses in the fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of such other money market fund.

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests solely in U.S. Treasury obligations and other money market funds that invest exclusively in those obligations, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Fund Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2006    1.08%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Average Annual Total Returns	Inception Date	One Year	Five Years	Since Inception
Class A Shares First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Class A	Oct. 25, 2004	none	0.98%	1.58%

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 30, 2012

Class A Shares | First American Government Obligations Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summaries
Government Obligations Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Government Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example:

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Government Obligations Fund invests exclusively in short-term U.S. government securities, including repurchase agreements secured by U.S. government securities. U.S. government securities are bonds or other debt obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Treasury securities and some obligations of U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities are supported by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. government. Other U.S. government securities are backed by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. Still others are supported only by the credit of the issuer or instrumentality.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests solely in U.S. government securities and repurchase agreements secured by those securities, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Money Market Fund [Text]

rr_RiskMoneyMarketFund

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Fund Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 677-3863

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

firstamericanfunds.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2006    1.16%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Class A Shares | First American Government Obligations Fund | Class A

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice

none

Annual Low Balance Account Fee (for accounts under $2,500)

rr_MaximumAccountFee

15

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Shareholder Servicing Fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Miscellaneous

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.19%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.79%

1 year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

81

3 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

252

5 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

439

10 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

978

2002

rr_AnnualReturn2002

1.18%

^[1]

2003

rr_AnnualReturn2003

0.49%

^[1]

2004

rr_AnnualReturn2004

0.66%

^[1]

2005

rr_AnnualReturn2005

2.51%

^[1]

2006

rr_AnnualReturn2006

4.34%

^[1]

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

4.49%

^[1]

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

1.75%

^[1]

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

0.02%

^[1]

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.00%

^[1]

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.00%

^[1]

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.01%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2006

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

1.16%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.00%

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

none

Five Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.24%

Ten Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

1.53%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Sep. 24, 2001

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.01%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 30, 2012

Reserve Shares | First American Treasury Obligations Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summary
Treasury Obligations Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Treasury Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example:

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, Treasury Obligations Fund invests exclusively in short-term U.S. Treasury obligations, including repurchase agreements secured by U.S. Treasury obligations. The U.S. Treasury obligations in which the fund invests include U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills. These types of Treasury securities are essentially the same except for differences in interest rates, maturities, and dates of issuance. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests primarily in U.S. Treasury obligations and repurchase agreements secured by those securities, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Money Market Fund [Text]

rr_RiskMoneyMarketFund

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Fund Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 677-3863

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

firstamericanfunds.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2006     1.10%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Reserve Shares | First American Treasury Obligations Fund | Reserve Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice

none

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Shareholder Servicing Fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Miscellaneous

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.15%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.00%

1 year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

101

3 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

317

5 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

551

10 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,224

2006

rr_AnnualReturn2006

4.10%

^[1]

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

4.05%

^[1]

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

0.98%

^[1]

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

0.00%

^[1]

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.00%

^[1]

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.00%

^[1]

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.00%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2006

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

1.10%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.00%

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

none

Five Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.00%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.58%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Aug. 31, 2005

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 30, 2012

Institutional Investor Shares | First American Prime Obligations Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summaries
Prime Obligations Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Prime Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example:

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Prime Obligations Fund invests in high-quality short-term debt obligations, including:

• commercial paper.
• U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of domestic and foreign banks with total assets of at least $500 million (including fixed and variable rate certificates of deposit, time deposits, and bankers’ acceptances).
• non-convertible corporate debt securities.
• securities issued by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities.
• municipal securities, including variable rate demand notes, commercial paper, and municipal notes and other short-term municipal obligations.
• loan participation interests.
• repurchase agreements for the securities in which the fund may invest.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Under normal market conditions, portfolio managers will only purchase (and hold) securities in the fund if they are rated in the top short-term rating category, for example, a rating of A-1 or a rating of Prime-1. If the rating of a security is reduced below the top short-term rating category after purchase, portfolio managers will make every attempt to sell the security, unless they have determined that it would not be in the best interest of the fund to dispose of the security at that time and, where necessary, have obtained the approval of the fund’s board of directors to continue to hold the security.

The fund will limit its collective investments in dollar-denominated obligations of foreign branches of domestic banks (which are not subject to the same regulation as U.S. banks) and in dollar-denominated obligations of foreign banks and foreign corporations to less than 25% of its total assets.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Foreign Security Risk — Securities of foreign issuers, even when dollar denominated and publicly traded in the United States, may involve risks not associated with the securities of domestic issuers.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the security when properly tendered by the fund.

Municipal Security Risk — The value of municipal securities owned by the fund may be adversely affected by future changes in federal income tax laws, including rate reductions or the imposition of a flat tax, and adverse changes in the financial conditions of municipal securities issuers.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Variable Rate Demand Note (VRDN) Risk — Investments in VRDNs involve credit risk with respect to the issuer or financial institution providing the fund with the credit and liquidity support for the unconditional put option. While the fund invests only in VRDNs of high quality issuers, or which are supported by high quality financial institutions, it is still possible that an issuer or financial institution could default on its obligations.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Money Market Fund [Text]

rr_RiskMoneyMarketFund

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Fund Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 677-3863

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

firstamericanfunds.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended September 30, 2007     1.29%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Institutional Investor Shares | First American Prime Obligations Fund | Institutional Investor Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice

none

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Shareholder Servicing Fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.10%

Miscellaneous

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.15%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

1 year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

36

3 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

113

5 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

197

10 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

443

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

5.13%

^[1]

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

2.75%

^[1]

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

0.36%

^[1]

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.01%

^[1]

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.00%

^[1]

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.00%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2007

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

1.29%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.00%

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

none

Five Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.63%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.07%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Mar. 31, 2006

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Class Z Shares | First American Government Obligations Fund

Fund Summaries
Government Obligations Fund

Investment Objective

Government Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Fees and Expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	Class Z Shares First American Government Obligations Fund Class Z
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	none

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses		Class Z Shares First American Government Obligations Fund Class Z
Management Fees		0.10%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees		none
Other Expenses		0.15%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses		0.25%
Less Fee Waivers	[1]	(0.05%)
Net Expenses	[1]	0.20%

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	Class Z Shares First American Government Obligations Fund Class Z
1 year	20
3 years	75
5 years	136
10 years	313

Principal Investment Strategies

Government Obligations Fund invests exclusively in short-term U.S. government securities, including repurchase agreements secured by U.S. government securities. U.S. government securities are bonds or other debt obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Treasury securities and some obligations of U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities are supported by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. government. Other U.S. government securities are backed by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. Still others are supported only by the credit of the issuer or instrumentality.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests solely in U.S. government securities and repurchase agreements secured by those securities, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Fund Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2006            1.30%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*           0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return during the

 period of the chart.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Average Annual Total Returns	Inception Date	One Year	Five Years	Since Inception
Class Z Shares First American Government Obligations Fund Class Z	Dec. 01, 2003	none	1.52%	2.08%

[1] The advisor has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse other fund expenses through October 31, 2013, so that total annual fund operating expenses, after waivers, do not exceed 0.20%. These fee waivers and expense reimbursements may be terminated at any time after October 31, 2013, at the discretion of the advisor. Prior to that time, such waivers and reimbursements may not be terminated without the approval of the fund's board of directors.

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.01%.

XML

Class I Shares | First American Prime Obligations Fund

Fund Summary
Prime Obligations Fund

Investment Objective

Prime Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Fees and Expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	Class I Shares First American Prime Obligations Fund Class I
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	none

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses	Class I Shares First American Prime Obligations Fund Class I
Management Fees	0.10%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees	none
Shareholder Servicing Fee	0.20%
Miscellaneous	0.15%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.45%

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	Class I Shares First American Prime Obligations Fund Class I
1 year	46
3 years	144
5 years	252
10 years	567

Principal Investment Strategies

Prime Obligations Fund invests in high-quality short-term debt obligations, including:

• commercial paper.
• U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of domestic and foreign banks with total assets of at least $500 million (including fixed and variable rate certificates of deposit, time deposits, and bankers’ acceptances).
• non-convertible corporate debt securities.
• securities issued by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities.
• municipal securities, including variable rate demand notes, commercial paper, and municipal notes and other short-term municipal obligations.
• loan participation interests.
• repurchase agreements for the securities in which the fund may invest.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Under normal market conditions, portfolio managers will only purchase (and hold) securities in the fund if they are rated in the top short-term rating category, for example, a rating of A-1 or a rating of Prime-1. If the rating of a security is reduced below the top short-term rating category after purchase, portfolio managers will make every attempt to sell the security, unless they have determined that it would not be in the best interest of the fund to dispose of the security at that time and, where necessary, have obtained the approval of the fund’s board of directors to continue to hold the security.

The fund will limit its collective investments in dollar-denominated obligations of foreign branches of domestic banks (which are not subject to the same regulation as U.S. banks) and in dollar-denominated obligations of foreign banks and foreign corporations to less than 25% of its total assets.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Foreign Security Risk — Securities of foreign issuers, even when dollar denominated and publicly traded in the United States, may involve risks not associated with the securities of domestic issuers.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the security when properly tendered by the fund.

Municipal Security Risk — The value of municipal securities owned by the fund may be adversely affected by future changes in federal income tax laws, including rate reductions or the imposition of a flat tax, and adverse changes in the financial conditions of municipal securities issuers.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Variable Rate Demand Note (VRDN) Risk — Investments in VRDNs involve credit risk with respect to the issuer or financial institution providing the fund with the credit and liquidity support for the unconditional put option. While the fund invests only in VRDNs of high quality issuers, or which are supported by high quality financial institutions, it is still possible that an issuer or financial institution could default on its obligations.

Fund Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended September 30, 2007           1.27%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*           0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return during the

period of the chart.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Average Annual Total Returns	Inception Date	One Year	Five Years	Ten Years
Class I Shares First American Prime Obligations Fund Class I	Sep. 24, 2001	none	1.57%	1.91%

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Class A Shares | First American Government Obligations Fund

Fund Summaries
Government Obligations Fund

Investment Objective

Government Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Fees and Expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees (USD $)	Class A Shares First American Government Obligations Fund Class A
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	none
Annual Low Balance Account Fee (for accounts under $2,500)	15

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses	Class A Shares First American Government Obligations Fund Class A
Management Fees	0.10%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees	0.25%
Shareholder Servicing Fee	0.25%
Miscellaneous	0.19%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.79%

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	Class A Shares First American Government Obligations Fund Class A
1 year	81
3 years	252
5 years	439
10 years	978

Principal Investment Strategies

Government Obligations Fund invests exclusively in short-term U.S. government securities, including repurchase agreements secured by U.S. government securities. U.S. government securities are bonds or other debt obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Treasury securities and some obligations of U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities are supported by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. government. Other U.S. government securities are backed by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. Still others are supported only by the credit of the issuer or instrumentality.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests solely in U.S. government securities and repurchase agreements secured by those securities, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Fund Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2006    1.16%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Average Annual Total Returns	Inception Date	One Year	Five Years	Ten Years
Class A Shares First American Government Obligations Fund Class A	Sep. 24, 2001	none	1.24%	1.53%

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.01%.

XML

Class Z Shares | First American Treasury Obligations Fund

Fund Summaries
Treasury Obligations Fund

Investment Objective

Treasury Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Fees and Expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	Class Z Shares First American Treasury Obligations Fund Class Z
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	none

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses		Class Z Shares First American Treasury Obligations Fund Class Z
Management Fees		0.10%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees		none
Other Expenses		0.14%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses		0.24%
Less Fee Waivers	[1]	(0.04%)
Net Expenses	[1]	0.20%

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	Class Z Shares First American Treasury Obligations Fund Class Z
1 year	20
3 years	73
5 years	131
10 years	302

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal market conditions, Treasury Obligations Fund invests exclusively in short-term U.S. Treasury obligations, including repurchase agreements secured by U.S. Treasury obligations. The U.S. Treasury obligations in which the fund invests include U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills. These types of Treasury securities are essentially the same except for differences in interest rates, maturities, and dates of issuance. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests primarily in U.S. Treasury obligations and repurchase agreements secured by those securities, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Fund Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2006            1.29%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*           0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return during the

period of the chart.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Average Annual Total Returns	Inception Date	One Year	Five Years	Since Inception
Class Z Shares First American Treasury Obligations Fund Class Z	Dec. 01, 2003	none	1.30%	1.92%

[1] The advisor has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse other fund expenses through October 31, 2013, so that total annual fund operating expenses, after waivers, do not exceed 0.20%. These fee waivers and expense reimbursements may be terminated at any time after October 31, 2013, at the discretion of the advisor. Prior to that time, such waivers and reimbursements may not be terminated without the approval of the fund's board of directors.

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 30, 2012

Class Y Shares | First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summaries
U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example:

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund invests exclusively in direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury and other money market funds that invest exclusively in such obligations. The U.S. Treasury obligations in which the fund invests include U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills. These types of Treasury securities are essentially the same except for differences in interest rates, maturities, and dates of issuance. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Additional Expenses — If the fund invests in money market funds advised by another investment advisor, you will bear both your proportionate share of the expenses in the fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of such other money market fund.

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests solely in U.S. Treasury obligations and other money market funds that invest exclusively in those obligations, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Money Market Fund [Text]

rr_RiskMoneyMarketFund

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Fund Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 677-3863

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

firstamericanfunds.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2006    1.15%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Class Y Shares | First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund | Class Y

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice

none

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Shareholder Servicing Fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Miscellaneous

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.21%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.56%

1 year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

57

3 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

179

5 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

313

10 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

701

2005

rr_AnnualReturn2005

2.54%

^[1]

2006

rr_AnnualReturn2006

4.36%

^[1]

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

4.26%

^[1]

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

1.27%

^[1]

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

0.00%

^[1]

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.00%

^[1]

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.00%

^[1]

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.00%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2006

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

1.15%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.00%

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

none

Five Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.09%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.75%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 25, 2004

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 30, 2012

Class Y Shares | First American Tax Free Obligations Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summaries
Tax Free Obligations Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Tax Free Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income exempt from federal income taxes consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example:

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, Tax Free Obligations Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in high-quality, short-term municipal securities that pay interest that is exempt from federal income tax, including the federal alternative minimum tax. The municipal securities in which the fund invests include variable rate demand notes, which are floating rate instruments with a one- or seven-day put option that typically have some form of external credit or liquidity support. The fund also may invest in other municipal securities, including commercial paper, municipal notes and other short-term municipal obligations.

Municipal securities are issued by state and local governments, and certain U.S. territorial possessions to finance public infrastructure projects such as streets and highways, schools, water and sewer systems, hospitals, and airports. They also may be issued to refinance outstanding obligations as well as to obtain funds for general operating expenses and for loans to other public institutions and facilities. There are two principal classifications of municipal securities:

• general obligation bonds, which are backed by the full faith, credit, and taxing power of the issuer.
• revenue bonds, which are payable only from the revenues generated by a specific project or from another specific revenue source.

Under normal market conditions, up to 20% of the fund’s total assets may be invested in taxable money market securities and municipal securities subject to the alternative minimum tax, although the fund does not currently intend to invest in municipal securities subject to the alternative minimum tax. Under abnormal market conditions, the fund may invest more than 20% of its total assets in such taxable securities, as conditions dictate. This may prevent the fund from achieving its goal of providing maximum current income exempt from federal income taxes.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Because the fund refers to tax-free investments in its name, it has a fundamental investment policy that it will normally invest in assets so that at least 80% of the income that it distributes will be exempt from federal regular income tax. This policy may not be changed without shareholder approval.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the security when properly tendered by the fund.

Municipal Security Risk — The value of municipal securities owned by the fund may be adversely affected by future changes in federal income tax laws, including rate reductions or the imposition of a flat tax, and adverse changes in the financial conditions of municipal securities issuers.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Tax Risk — In order to be tax-exempt, municipal securities generally must meet certain regulatory requirements. If a municipal security fails to meet these requirements, the interest received by the fund from its investment in the security and distributed to shareholders may be taxable.

Variable Rate Demand Note (VRDN) Risk — Investments in VRDNs involve credit risk with respect to the issuer or financial institution providing the fund with the credit and liquidity support for the unconditional put option. While the fund invests only in VRDNs of high quality issuers, or which are supported by high quality financial institutions, it is still possible that an issuer or financial institution could default on its obligations.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Money Market Fund [Text]

rr_RiskMoneyMarketFund

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Fund Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 677-3863

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

firstamericanfunds.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended September 30, 2007   0.83%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*   0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Class Y Shares | First American Tax Free Obligations Fund | Class Y

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice

none

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Shareholder Servicing Fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Miscellaneous

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.20%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.55%

1 year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

56

3 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

176

5 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

307

10 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

689

2002

rr_AnnualReturn2002

1.06%

^[1]

2003

rr_AnnualReturn2003

0.65%

^[1]

2004

rr_AnnualReturn2004

0.80%

^[1]

2005

rr_AnnualReturn2005

1.98%

^[1]

2006

rr_AnnualReturn2006

3.03%

^[1]

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

3.24%

^[1]

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

1.69%

^[1]

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

0.02%

^[1]

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.00%

^[1]

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.00%

^[1]

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.00%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2007

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

0.83%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.00%

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

none

Five Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

0.98%

Ten Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

1.24%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 09, 1995

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Class D Shares | First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund

Fund Summaries
U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund

Investment Objective

U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Fees and Expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	Class D Shares First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Class D
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	none

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses	Class D Shares First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Class D
Management Fees	0.10%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees	0.15%
Shareholder Servicing Fee	0.25%
Miscellaneous	0.21%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.71%

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	Class D Shares First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Class D
1 year	73
3 years	227
5 years	395
10 years	883

Principal Investment Strategies

U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund invests exclusively in direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury and other money market funds that invest exclusively in such obligations. The U.S. Treasury obligations in which the fund invests include U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills. These types of Treasury securities are essentially the same except for differences in interest rates, maturities, and dates of issuance. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Additional Expenses — If the fund invests in money market funds advised by another investment advisor, you will bear both your proportionate share of the expenses in the fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of such other money market fund.

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests solely in U.S. Treasury obligations and other money market funds that invest exclusively in those obligations, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Fund Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2006     1.12%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Average Annual Total Returns	Inception Date	One Year	Five Years	Since Inception
Class D Shares First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Class D	Oct. 25, 2004	none	1.03%	1.67%

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 30, 2012

Class A Shares | First American Tax Free Obligations Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summaries
Tax Free Obligations Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Tax Free Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income exempt from federal income taxes consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example:

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, Tax Free Obligations Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in high-quality, short-term municipal securities that pay interest that is exempt from federal income tax, including the federal alternative minimum tax. The municipal securities in which the fund invests include variable rate demand notes, which are floating rate instruments with a one- or seven-day put option that typically have some form of external credit or liquidity support. The fund also may invest in other municipal securities, including commercial paper, municipal notes and other short-term municipal obligations.

Municipal securities are issued by state and local governments, and certain U.S. territorial possessions to finance public infrastructure projects such as streets and highways, schools, water and sewer systems, hospitals, and airports. They also may be issued to refinance outstanding obligations as well as to obtain funds for general operating expenses and for loans to other public institutions and facilities. There are two principal classifications of municipal securities:

• general obligation bonds, which are backed by the full faith, credit, and taxing power of the issuer.
• revenue bonds, which are payable only from the revenues generated by a specific project or from another specific revenue source.

Under normal market conditions, up to 20% of the fund’s total assets may be invested in taxable money market securities and municipal securities subject to the alternative minimum tax, although the fund does not currently intend to invest in municipal securities subject to the alternative minimum tax. Under abnormal market conditions, the fund may invest more than 20% of its total assets in such taxable securities, as conditions dictate. This may prevent the fund from achieving its goal of providing maximum current income exempt from federal income taxes.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Because the fund refers to tax-free investments in its name, it has a fundamental investment policy that it will normally invest in assets so that at least 80% of the income that it distributes will be exempt from federal regular income tax. This policy may not be changed without shareholder approval.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the security when properly tendered by the fund.

Municipal Security Risk — The value of municipal securities owned by the fund may be adversely affected by future changes in federal income tax laws, including rate reductions or the imposition of a flat tax, and adverse changes in the financial conditions of municipal securities issuers.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Tax Risk — In order to be tax-exempt, municipal securities generally must meet certain regulatory requirements. If a municipal security fails to meet these requirements, the interest received by the fund from its investment in the security and distributed to shareholders may be taxable.

Variable Rate Demand Note (VRDN) Risk — Investments in VRDNs involve credit risk with respect to the issuer or financial institution providing the fund with the credit and liquidity support for the unconditional put option. While the fund invests only in VRDNs of high quality issuers, or which are supported by high quality financial institutions, it is still possible that an issuer or financial institution could default on its obligations.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Money Market Fund [Text]

rr_RiskMoneyMarketFund

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Fund Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 677-3863

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

firstamericanfunds.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended June 30, 2007             0.76%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Class A Shares | First American Tax Free Obligations Fund | Class A

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice

none

Annual Low Balance Account Fee (for accounts under $2,500)

rr_MaximumAccountFee

15

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Shareholder Servicing Fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Miscellaneous

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.26%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.86%

1 year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

88

3 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

274

5 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

477

10 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,061

2002

rr_AnnualReturn2002

0.76%

^[1]

2003

rr_AnnualReturn2003

0.35%

^[1]

2004

rr_AnnualReturn2004

0.50%

^[1]

2005

rr_AnnualReturn2005

1.68%

^[1]

2006

rr_AnnualReturn2006

2.72%

^[1]

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

2.93%

^[1]

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

1.39%

^[1]

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

0.00%

^[1]

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.00%

^[1]

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.00%

^[1]

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.00%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Jun. 30, 2007

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

0.76%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.00%

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

none

Five Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

0.86%

Ten Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

1.03%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Sep. 24, 2001

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 30, 2012

Class A Shares | First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summaries
U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example:

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund invests exclusively in direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury and other money market funds that invest exclusively in such obligations. The U.S. Treasury obligations in which the fund invests include U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills. These types of Treasury securities are essentially the same except for differences in interest rates, maturities, and dates of issuance. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Additional Expenses — If the fund invests in money market funds advised by another investment advisor, you will bear both your proportionate share of the expenses in the fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of such other money market fund.

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests solely in U.S. Treasury obligations and other money market funds that invest exclusively in those obligations, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Money Market Fund [Text]

rr_RiskMoneyMarketFund

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Fund Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 677-3863

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

firstamericanfunds.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2006    1.08%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Class A Shares | First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund | Class A

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice

none

Annual Low Balance Account Fee (for accounts under $2,500)

rr_MaximumAccountFee

15

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Shareholder Servicing Fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Miscellaneous

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.26%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.86%

1 year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

88

3 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

274

5 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

477

10 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,061

2005

rr_AnnualReturn2005

2.23%

^[1]

2006

rr_AnnualReturn2006

4.05%

^[1]

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

3.95%

^[1]

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

0.99%

^[1]

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

0.00%

^[1]

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.00%

^[1]

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.00%

^[1]

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.00%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2006

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

1.08%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.00%

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

none

Five Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

0.98%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.58%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 25, 2004

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Institutional Investor Shares | First American Treasury Obligations Fund

Fund Summaries
Treasury Obligations Fund

Investment Objective

Treasury Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Fees and Expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	Institutional Investor Shares First American Treasury Obligations Fund Institutional Investor Class
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	none

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses	Institutional Investor Shares First American Treasury Obligations Fund Institutional Investor Class
Management Fees	0.10%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees	none
Shareholder Servicing Fee	0.10%
Miscellaneous	0.15%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.35%

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	Institutional Investor Shares First American Treasury Obligations Fund Institutional Investor Class
1 year	36
3 years	113
5 years	197
10 years	443

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal market conditions, Treasury Obligations Fund invests exclusively in short-term U.S. Treasury obligations, including repurchase agreements secured by U.S. Treasury obligations. The U.S. Treasury obligations in which the fund invests include U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills. These types of Treasury securities are essentially the same except for differences in interest rates, maturities, and dates of issuance. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests primarily in U.S. Treasury obligations and repurchase agreements secured by those securities, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Fund Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended March 31, 2007           1.24%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Average Annual Total Returns	Inception Date	One Year	Five Years	Since Inception
Institutional Investor Shares First American Treasury Obligations Fund Institutional Investor Class	Mar. 31, 2006	none	1.25%	1.73%

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Class Y Shares | First American Tax Free Obligations Fund

Fund Summaries
Tax Free Obligations Fund

Investment Objective

Tax Free Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income exempt from federal income taxes consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Fees and Expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	Class Y Shares First American Tax Free Obligations Fund Class Y
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	none

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses	Class Y Shares First American Tax Free Obligations Fund Class Y
Management Fees	0.10%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees	none
Shareholder Servicing Fee	0.25%
Miscellaneous	0.20%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.55%

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	Class Y Shares First American Tax Free Obligations Fund Class Y
1 year	56
3 years	176
5 years	307
10 years	689

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal market conditions, Tax Free Obligations Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in high-quality, short-term municipal securities that pay interest that is exempt from federal income tax, including the federal alternative minimum tax. The municipal securities in which the fund invests include variable rate demand notes, which are floating rate instruments with a one- or seven-day put option that typically have some form of external credit or liquidity support. The fund also may invest in other municipal securities, including commercial paper, municipal notes and other short-term municipal obligations.

Municipal securities are issued by state and local governments, and certain U.S. territorial possessions to finance public infrastructure projects such as streets and highways, schools, water and sewer systems, hospitals, and airports. They also may be issued to refinance outstanding obligations as well as to obtain funds for general operating expenses and for loans to other public institutions and facilities. There are two principal classifications of municipal securities:

• general obligation bonds, which are backed by the full faith, credit, and taxing power of the issuer.
• revenue bonds, which are payable only from the revenues generated by a specific project or from another specific revenue source.

Under normal market conditions, up to 20% of the fund’s total assets may be invested in taxable money market securities and municipal securities subject to the alternative minimum tax, although the fund does not currently intend to invest in municipal securities subject to the alternative minimum tax. Under abnormal market conditions, the fund may invest more than 20% of its total assets in such taxable securities, as conditions dictate. This may prevent the fund from achieving its goal of providing maximum current income exempt from federal income taxes.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Because the fund refers to tax-free investments in its name, it has a fundamental investment policy that it will normally invest in assets so that at least 80% of the income that it distributes will be exempt from federal regular income tax. This policy may not be changed without shareholder approval.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the security when properly tendered by the fund.

Municipal Security Risk — The value of municipal securities owned by the fund may be adversely affected by future changes in federal income tax laws, including rate reductions or the imposition of a flat tax, and adverse changes in the financial conditions of municipal securities issuers.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Tax Risk — In order to be tax-exempt, municipal securities generally must meet certain regulatory requirements. If a municipal security fails to meet these requirements, the interest received by the fund from its investment in the security and distributed to shareholders may be taxable.

Variable Rate Demand Note (VRDN) Risk — Investments in VRDNs involve credit risk with respect to the issuer or financial institution providing the fund with the credit and liquidity support for the unconditional put option. While the fund invests only in VRDNs of high quality issuers, or which are supported by high quality financial institutions, it is still possible that an issuer or financial institution could default on its obligations.

Fund Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended September 30, 2007   0.83%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*   0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Average Annual Total Returns	Inception Date	One Year	Five Years	Ten Years
Class Y Shares First American Tax Free Obligations Fund Class Y	Jan. 09, 1995	none	0.98%	1.24%

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 30, 2012

Institutional Investor Shares | First American Tax Free Obligations Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summaries
Tax Free Obligations Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Tax Free Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income exempt from federal income taxes consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example:

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, Tax Free Obligations Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in high-quality, short-term municipal securities that pay interest that is exempt from federal income tax, including the federal alternative minimum tax. The municipal securities in which the fund invests include variable rate demand notes, which are floating rate instruments with a one- or seven-day put option that typically have some form of external credit or liquidity support. The fund also may invest in other municipal securities, including commercial paper, municipal notes and other short-term municipal obligations.

Municipal securities are issued by state and local governments, and certain U.S. territorial possessions to finance public infrastructure projects such as streets and highways, schools, water and sewer systems, hospitals, and airports. They also may be issued to refinance outstanding obligations as well as to obtain funds for general operating expenses and for loans to other public institutions and facilities. There are two principal classifications of municipal securities:

• general obligation bonds, which are backed by the full faith, credit, and taxing power of the issuer.
• revenue bonds, which are payable only from the revenues generated by a specific project or from another specific revenue source.

Under normal market conditions, up to 20% of the fund’s total assets may be invested in taxable money market securities and municipal securities subject to the alternative minimum tax, although the fund does not currently intend to invest in municipal securities subject to the alternative minimum tax. Under abnormal market conditions, the fund may invest more than 20% of its total assets in such taxable securities, as conditions dictate. This may prevent the fund from achieving its goal of providing maximum current income exempt from federal income taxes.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Because the fund refers to tax-free investments in its name, it has a fundamental investment policy that it will normally invest in assets so that at least 80% of the income that it distributes will be exempt from federal regular income tax. This policy may not be changed without shareholder approval.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the security when properly tendered by the fund.

Municipal Security Risk — The value of municipal securities owned by the fund may be adversely affected by future changes in federal income tax laws, including rate reductions or the imposition of a flat tax, and adverse changes in the financial conditions of municipal securities issuers.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Tax Risk — In order to be tax-exempt, municipal securities generally must meet certain regulatory requirements. If a municipal security fails to meet these requirements, the interest received by the fund from its investment in the security and distributed to shareholders may be taxable.

Variable Rate Demand Note (VRDN) Risk — Investments in VRDNs involve credit risk with respect to the issuer or financial institution providing the fund with the credit and liquidity support for the unconditional put option. While the fund invests only in VRDNs of high quality issuers, or which are supported by high quality financial institutions, it is still possible that an issuer or financial institution could default on its obligations.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Money Market Fund [Text]

rr_RiskMoneyMarketFund

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Fund Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 677-3863

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

firstamericanfunds.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended June 30, 2007               0.87%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Institutional Investor Shares | First American Tax Free Obligations Fund | Institutional Investor Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice

none

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Shareholder Servicing Fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.10%

Miscellaneous

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.20%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.40%

1 year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

41

3 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

128

5 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

224

10 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

505

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

3.39%

^[1]

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

1.84%

^[1]

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

0.08%

^[1]

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.00%

^[1]

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.00%

^[1]

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.00%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Jun. 30, 2007

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

0.87%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.00%

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

none

Five Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.06%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.35%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Mar. 31, 2006

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Document and Entity Information	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 30, 2012
Risk/Return:
Document Type	485BPOS
Document Period End Date	Aug. 31, 2012
Registrant Name	FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC
Central Index Key	0000356134
Amendment Flag	false
Document Creation Date	Oct. 30, 2012
Document Effective Date	Oct. 30, 2012
Prospectus Date	Oct. 30, 2012

XML

Reserve Shares | First American Treasury Obligations Fund

Fund Summary
Treasury Obligations Fund

Investment Objective

Treasury Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Fees and Expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	Reserve Shares First American Treasury Obligations Fund Reserve Class
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	none

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses	Reserve Shares First American Treasury Obligations Fund Reserve Class
Management Fees	0.10%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees	0.50%
Shareholder Servicing Fee	0.25%
Miscellaneous	0.15%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	1.00%

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	Reserve Shares First American Treasury Obligations Fund Reserve Class
1 year	101
3 years	317
5 years	551
10 years	1,224

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal market conditions, Treasury Obligations Fund invests exclusively in short-term U.S. Treasury obligations, including repurchase agreements secured by U.S. Treasury obligations. The U.S. Treasury obligations in which the fund invests include U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills. These types of Treasury securities are essentially the same except for differences in interest rates, maturities, and dates of issuance. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests primarily in U.S. Treasury obligations and repurchase agreements secured by those securities, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Fund Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2006     1.10%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Average Annual Total Returns	Inception Date	One Year	Five Years	Since Inception
Reserve Shares First American Treasury Obligations Fund Reserve Class	Aug. 31, 2005	none	1.00%	1.58%

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Class A Shares | First American Treasury Obligations Fund

Fund Summaries
Treasury Obligations Fund

Investment Objective

Treasury Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Fees and Expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees (USD $)	Class A Shares First American Treasury Obligations Fund Class A
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	none
Annual Low Balance Account Fee (for accounts under $2,500)	15

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses	Class A Shares First American Treasury Obligations Fund Class A
Management Fees	0.10%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees	0.25%
Shareholder Servicing Fee	0.25%
Miscellaneous	0.19%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.79%

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	Class A Shares First American Treasury Obligations Fund Class A
1 year	81
3 years	252
5 years	439
10 years	978

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal market conditions, Treasury Obligations Fund invests exclusively in short-term U.S. Treasury obligations, including repurchase agreements secured by U.S. Treasury obligations. The U.S. Treasury obligations in which the fund invests include U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills. These types of Treasury securities are essentially the same except for differences in interest rates, maturities, and dates of issuance. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests primarily in U.S. Treasury obligations and repurchase agreements secured by those securities, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Fund Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2006    1.15%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Average Annual Total Returns	Inception Date	One Year	Five Years	Ten Years
Class A Shares First American Treasury Obligations Fund Class A	Sep. 24, 2001	none	1.06%	1.41%

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 30, 2012

Class A Shares | First American Prime Obligations Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summaries
Prime Obligations Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Prime Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example:

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Prime Obligations Fund invests in high-quality short-term debt obligations, including:

• commercial paper.
• U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of domestic and foreign banks with total assets of at least $500 million (including fixed and variable rate certificates of deposit, time deposits, and bankers’ acceptances).
• non-convertible corporate debt securities.
• securities issued by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities.
• municipal securities, including variable rate demand notes, commercial paper, and municipal notes and other short-term municipal obligations.
• loan participation interests.
• repurchase agreements for the securities in which the fund may invest.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Under normal market conditions, portfolio managers will only purchase (and hold) securities in the fund if they are rated in the top short-term rating category, for example, a rating of A-1 or a rating of Prime-1. If the rating of a security is reduced below the top short-term rating category after purchase, portfolio managers will make every attempt to sell the security, unless they have determined that it would not be in the best interest of the fund to dispose of the security at that time and, where necessary, have obtained the approval of the fund’s board of directors to continue to hold the security.

The fund will limit its collective investments in dollar-denominated obligations of foreign branches of domestic banks (which are not subject to the same regulation as U.S. banks) and in dollar-denominated obligations of foreign banks and foreign corporations to less than 25% of its total assets.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Foreign Security Risk — Securities of foreign issuers, even when dollar denominated and publicly traded in the United States, may involve risks not associated with the securities of domestic issuers.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the security when properly tendered by the fund.

Municipal Security Risk — The value of municipal securities owned by the fund may be adversely affected by future changes in federal income tax laws, including rate reductions or the imposition of a flat tax, and adverse changes in the financial conditions of municipal securities issuers.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Variable Rate Demand Note (VRDN) Risk — Investments in VRDNs involve credit risk with respect to the issuer or financial institution providing the fund with the credit and liquidity support for the unconditional put option. While the fund invests only in VRDNs of high quality issuers, or which are supported by high quality financial institutions, it is still possible that an issuer or financial institution could default on its obligations.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Money Market Fund [Text]

rr_RiskMoneyMarketFund

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Fund Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 677-3863

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

firstamericanfunds.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended September 30, 2007    1.17%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Class A Shares | First American Prime Obligations Fund | Class A

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice

none

Annual Low Balance Account Fee (for accounts under $2,500)

rr_MaximumAccountFee

15

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Shareholder Servicing Fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Miscellaneous

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.20%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.80%

1 year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

82

3 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

255

5 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

444

10 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

990

2002

rr_AnnualReturn2002

1.22%

^[1]

2003

rr_AnnualReturn2003

0.52%

^[1]

2004

rr_AnnualReturn2004

0.69%

^[1]

2005

rr_AnnualReturn2005

2.52%

^[1]

2006

rr_AnnualReturn2006

4.37%

^[1]

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

4.62%

^[1]

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

2.26%

^[1]

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

0.10%

^[1]

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.00%

^[1]

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.00%

^[1]

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.00%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2007

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

1.17%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.00%

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

none

Five Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.38%

Ten Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

1.62%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Sep. 24, 2001

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Class A Shares | First American Tax Free Obligations Fund

Fund Summaries
Tax Free Obligations Fund

Investment Objective

Tax Free Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income exempt from federal income taxes consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Fees and Expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees (USD $)	Class A Shares First American Tax Free Obligations Fund Class A
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	none
Annual Low Balance Account Fee (for accounts under $2,500)	15

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses	Class A Shares First American Tax Free Obligations Fund Class A
Management Fees	0.10%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees	0.25%
Shareholder Servicing Fee	0.25%
Miscellaneous	0.26%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.86%

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	Class A Shares First American Tax Free Obligations Fund Class A
1 year	88
3 years	274
5 years	477
10 years	1,061

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal market conditions, Tax Free Obligations Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in high-quality, short-term municipal securities that pay interest that is exempt from federal income tax, including the federal alternative minimum tax. The municipal securities in which the fund invests include variable rate demand notes, which are floating rate instruments with a one- or seven-day put option that typically have some form of external credit or liquidity support. The fund also may invest in other municipal securities, including commercial paper, municipal notes and other short-term municipal obligations.

Municipal securities are issued by state and local governments, and certain U.S. territorial possessions to finance public infrastructure projects such as streets and highways, schools, water and sewer systems, hospitals, and airports. They also may be issued to refinance outstanding obligations as well as to obtain funds for general operating expenses and for loans to other public institutions and facilities. There are two principal classifications of municipal securities:

• general obligation bonds, which are backed by the full faith, credit, and taxing power of the issuer.
• revenue bonds, which are payable only from the revenues generated by a specific project or from another specific revenue source.

Under normal market conditions, up to 20% of the fund’s total assets may be invested in taxable money market securities and municipal securities subject to the alternative minimum tax, although the fund does not currently intend to invest in municipal securities subject to the alternative minimum tax. Under abnormal market conditions, the fund may invest more than 20% of its total assets in such taxable securities, as conditions dictate. This may prevent the fund from achieving its goal of providing maximum current income exempt from federal income taxes.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Because the fund refers to tax-free investments in its name, it has a fundamental investment policy that it will normally invest in assets so that at least 80% of the income that it distributes will be exempt from federal regular income tax. This policy may not be changed without shareholder approval.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the security when properly tendered by the fund.

Municipal Security Risk — The value of municipal securities owned by the fund may be adversely affected by future changes in federal income tax laws, including rate reductions or the imposition of a flat tax, and adverse changes in the financial conditions of municipal securities issuers.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Tax Risk — In order to be tax-exempt, municipal securities generally must meet certain regulatory requirements. If a municipal security fails to meet these requirements, the interest received by the fund from its investment in the security and distributed to shareholders may be taxable.

Variable Rate Demand Note (VRDN) Risk — Investments in VRDNs involve credit risk with respect to the issuer or financial institution providing the fund with the credit and liquidity support for the unconditional put option. While the fund invests only in VRDNs of high quality issuers, or which are supported by high quality financial institutions, it is still possible that an issuer or financial institution could default on its obligations.

Fund Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended June 30, 2007             0.76%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Average Annual Total Returns	Inception Date	One Year	Five Years	Ten Years
Class A Shares First American Tax Free Obligations Fund Class A	Sep. 24, 2001	none	0.86%	1.03%

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 30, 2012

Class D Shares | First American Treasury Obligations Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summaries
Treasury Obligations Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Treasury Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example:

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, Treasury Obligations Fund invests exclusively in short-term U.S. Treasury obligations, including repurchase agreements secured by U.S. Treasury obligations. The U.S. Treasury obligations in which the fund invests include U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills. These types of Treasury securities are essentially the same except for differences in interest rates, maturities, and dates of issuance. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests primarily in U.S. Treasury obligations and repurchase agreements secured by those securities, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Money Market Fund [Text]

rr_RiskMoneyMarketFund

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Fund Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 677-3863

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

firstamericanfunds.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2006    1.19%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Class D Shares | First American Treasury Obligations Fund | Class D

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice

none

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

Shareholder Servicing Fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Miscellaneous

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.15%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.65%

1 year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

66

3 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

208

5 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

362

10 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

810

2002

rr_AnnualReturn2002

1.28%

^[1]

2003

rr_AnnualReturn2003

0.57%

^[1]

2004

rr_AnnualReturn2004

0.75%

^[1]

2005

rr_AnnualReturn2005

2.57%

^[1]

2006

rr_AnnualReturn2006

4.45%

^[1]

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

4.41%

^[1]

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

1.24%

^[1]

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

0.02%

^[1]

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.00%

^[1]

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.00%

^[1]

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.00%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2006

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

1.19%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.00%

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

none

Five Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.12%

Ten Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

1.52%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 04, 1993

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 30, 2012

Class Z Shares | First American Government Obligations Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summaries
Government Obligations Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Government Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

October 31, 2013

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example:

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Government Obligations Fund invests exclusively in short-term U.S. government securities, including repurchase agreements secured by U.S. government securities. U.S. government securities are bonds or other debt obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Treasury securities and some obligations of U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities are supported by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. government. Other U.S. government securities are backed by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. Still others are supported only by the credit of the issuer or instrumentality.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests solely in U.S. government securities and repurchase agreements secured by those securities, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Money Market Fund [Text]

rr_RiskMoneyMarketFund

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Fund Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 677-3863

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

firstamericanfunds.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2006            1.30%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*           0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return during the

 period of the chart.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Class Z Shares | First American Government Obligations Fund | Class Z

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice

none

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.15%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Less Fee Waivers

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.05%)

^[1]

Net Expenses

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.20%

^[1]

1 year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

20

3 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

75

5 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

136

10 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

313

2004

rr_AnnualReturn2004

1.21%

^[2]

2005

rr_AnnualReturn2005

3.07%

^[2]

2006

rr_AnnualReturn2006

4.91%

^[2]

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

5.06%

^[2]

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

2.31%

^[2]

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

0.28%

^[2]

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.02%

^[2]

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.00%

^[2]

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.01%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2006

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

1.30%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.00%

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

none

Five Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.52%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.08%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 01, 2003

[1] The advisor has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse other fund expenses through October 31, 2013, so that total annual fund operating expenses, after waivers, do not exceed 0.20%. These fee waivers and expense reimbursements may be terminated at any time after October 31, 2013, at the discretion of the advisor. Prior to that time, such waivers and reimbursements may not be terminated without the approval of the fund's board of directors.

[2] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.01%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 30, 2012

Class Y Shares | First American Government Obligations Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summaries
Government Obligations Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Government Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example:

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Government Obligations Fund invests exclusively in short-term U.S. government securities, including repurchase agreements secured by U.S. government securities. U.S. government securities are bonds or other debt obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Treasury securities and some obligations of U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities are supported by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. government. Other U.S. government securities are backed by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. Still others are supported only by the credit of the issuer or instrumentality.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests solely in U.S. government securities and repurchase agreements secured by those securities, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Money Market Fund [Text]

rr_RiskMoneyMarketFund

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Fund Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 677-3863

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

firstamericanfunds.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2006    1.24%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Class Y Shares | First American Government Obligations Fund | Class Y

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice

none

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Shareholder Servicing Fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Miscellaneous

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.15%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.50%

1 year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

51

3 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

160

5 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

280

10 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

628

2002

rr_AnnualReturn2002

1.49%

^[1]

2003

rr_AnnualReturn2003

0.79%

^[1]

2004

rr_AnnualReturn2004

0.96%

^[1]

2005

rr_AnnualReturn2005

2.82%

^[1]

2006

rr_AnnualReturn2006

4.65%

^[1]

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

4.80%

^[1]

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

2.06%

^[1]

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

0.10%

^[1]

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.00%

^[1]

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.00%

^[1]

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.01%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2006

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

1.24%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.00%

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

none

Five Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.37%

Ten Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

1.75%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Mar. 01, 1990

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.01%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 30, 2012

Class Y Shares | First American Prime Obligations Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summaries
Prime Obligations Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Prime Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

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Example:

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

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This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

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Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

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Prime Obligations Fund invests in high-quality short-term debt obligations, including:

• commercial paper.
• U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of domestic and foreign banks with total assets of at least $500 million (including fixed and variable rate certificates of deposit, time deposits, and bankers’ acceptances).
• non-convertible corporate debt securities.
• securities issued by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities.
• municipal securities, including variable rate demand notes, commercial paper, and municipal notes and other short-term municipal obligations.
• loan participation interests.
• repurchase agreements for the securities in which the fund may invest.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Under normal market conditions, portfolio managers will only purchase (and hold) securities in the fund if they are rated in the top short-term rating category, for example, a rating of A-1 or a rating of Prime-1. If the rating of a security is reduced below the top short-term rating category after purchase, portfolio managers will make every attempt to sell the security, unless they have determined that it would not be in the best interest of the fund to dispose of the security at that time and, where necessary, have obtained the approval of the fund’s board of directors to continue to hold the security.

The fund will limit its collective investments in dollar-denominated obligations of foreign branches of domestic banks (which are not subject to the same regulation as U.S. banks) and in dollar-denominated obligations of foreign banks and foreign corporations to less than 25% of its total assets.

Risk [Heading]

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Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

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An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Foreign Security Risk — Securities of foreign issuers, even when dollar denominated and publicly traded in the United States, may involve risks not associated with the securities of domestic issuers.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the security when properly tendered by the fund.

Municipal Security Risk — The value of municipal securities owned by the fund may be adversely affected by future changes in federal income tax laws, including rate reductions or the imposition of a flat tax, and adverse changes in the financial conditions of municipal securities issuers.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Variable Rate Demand Note (VRDN) Risk — Investments in VRDNs involve credit risk with respect to the issuer or financial institution providing the fund with the credit and liquidity support for the unconditional put option. While the fund invests only in VRDNs of high quality issuers, or which are supported by high quality financial institutions, it is still possible that an issuer or financial institution could default on its obligations.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

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Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Money Market Fund [Text]

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Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

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Fund Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

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The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

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800 677-3863

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

firstamericanfunds.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

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The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

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ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

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Best Quarter:

Quarter ended September 30, 2007    1.25%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

Performance Table Heading

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AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Class Y Shares | First American Prime Obligations Fund | Class Y

Risk/Return:

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Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice

none

Management Fees

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0.10%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Shareholder Servicing Fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Miscellaneous

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.15%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.50%

1 year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

51

3 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

160

5 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

280

10 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

628

2002

rr_AnnualReturn2002

1.53%

^[1]

2003

rr_AnnualReturn2003

0.82%

^[1]

2004

rr_AnnualReturn2004

0.99%

^[1]

2005

rr_AnnualReturn2005

2.82%

^[1]

2006

rr_AnnualReturn2006

4.68%

^[1]

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

4.94%

^[1]

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

2.56%

^[1]

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

0.25%

^[1]

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.00%

^[1]

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.00%

^[1]

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.00%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2007

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

1.25%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.00%

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

none

Five Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.53%

Ten Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

1.85%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Mar. 01, 1990

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

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Class D Shares | First American Tax Free Obligations Fund

Fund Summaries
Tax Free Obligations Fund

Investment Objective

Tax Free Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income exempt from federal income taxes consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Fees and Expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	Class D Shares First American Tax Free Obligations Fund Class D
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	none

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses	Class D Shares First American Tax Free Obligations Fund Class D
Management Fees	0.10%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees	0.15%
Shareholder Servicing Fee	0.25%
Miscellaneous	0.21%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.71%

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	Class D Shares First American Tax Free Obligations Fund Class D
1 year	73
3 years	227
5 years	395
10 years	883

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal market conditions, Tax Free Obligations Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in high-quality, short-term municipal securities that pay interest that is exempt from federal income tax, including the federal alternative minimum tax. The municipal securities in which the fund invests include variable rate demand notes, which are floating rate instruments with a one- or seven-day put option that typically have some form of external credit or liquidity support. The fund also may invest in other municipal securities, including commercial paper, municipal notes and other short-term municipal obligations.

Municipal securities are issued by state and local governments, and certain U.S. territorial possessions to finance public infrastructure projects such as streets and highways, schools, water and sewer systems, hospitals, and airports. They also may be issued to refinance outstanding obligations as well as to obtain funds for general operating expenses and for loans to other public institutions and facilities. There are two principal classifications of municipal securities:

• general obligation bonds, which are backed by the full faith, credit, and taxing power of the issuer.
• revenue bonds, which are payable only from the revenues generated by a specific project or from another specific revenue source.

Under normal market conditions, up to 20% of the fund’s total assets may be invested in taxable money market securities and municipal securities subject to the alternative minimum tax, although the fund does not currently intend to invest in municipal securities subject to the alternative minimum tax. Under abnormal market conditions, the fund may invest more than 20% of its total assets in such taxable securities, as conditions dictate. This may prevent the fund from achieving its goal of providing maximum current income exempt from federal income taxes.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Because the fund refers to tax-free investments in its name, it has a fundamental investment policy that it will normally invest in assets so that at least 80% of the income that it distributes will be exempt from federal regular income tax. This policy may not be changed without shareholder approval.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the security when properly tendered by the fund.

Municipal Security Risk — The value of municipal securities owned by the fund may be adversely affected by future changes in federal income tax laws, including rate reductions or the imposition of a flat tax, and adverse changes in the financial conditions of municipal securities issuers.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Tax Risk — In order to be tax-exempt, municipal securities generally must meet certain regulatory requirements. If a municipal security fails to meet these requirements, the interest received by the fund from its investment in the security and distributed to shareholders may be taxable.

Variable Rate Demand Note (VRDN) Risk — Investments in VRDNs involve credit risk with respect to the issuer or financial institution providing the fund with the credit and liquidity support for the unconditional put option. While the fund invests only in VRDNs of high quality issuers, or which are supported by high quality financial institutions, it is still possible that an issuer or financial institution could default on its obligations.

Fund Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended September 30, 2007    0.79%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Average Annual Total Returns	Inception Date	One Year	Five Years	Ten Years
Class D Shares First American Tax Free Obligations Fund Class D	Nov. 26, 1997	none	0.92%	1.13%

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

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Class Y Shares | First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund

Fund Summaries
U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund

Investment Objective

U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Fees and Expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	Class Y Shares First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Class Y
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	none

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses	Class Y Shares First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Class Y
Management Fees	0.10%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees	none
Shareholder Servicing Fee	0.25%
Miscellaneous	0.21%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.56%

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	Class Y Shares First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Class Y
1 year	57
3 years	179
5 years	313
10 years	701

Principal Investment Strategies

U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund invests exclusively in direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury and other money market funds that invest exclusively in such obligations. The U.S. Treasury obligations in which the fund invests include U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills. These types of Treasury securities are essentially the same except for differences in interest rates, maturities, and dates of issuance. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Additional Expenses — If the fund invests in money market funds advised by another investment advisor, you will bear both your proportionate share of the expenses in the fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of such other money market fund.

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests solely in U.S. Treasury obligations and other money market funds that invest exclusively in those obligations, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Fund Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2006    1.15%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Average Annual Total Returns	Inception Date	One Year	Five Years	Since Inception
Class Y Shares First American U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Class Y	Oct. 25, 2004	none	1.09%	1.75%

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

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Institutional Investor Shares | First American Tax Free Obligations Fund

Fund Summaries
Tax Free Obligations Fund

Investment Objective

Tax Free Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income exempt from federal income taxes consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Fees and Expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	Institutional Investor Shares First American Tax Free Obligations Fund Institutional Investor Class
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	none

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses	Institutional Investor Shares First American Tax Free Obligations Fund Institutional Investor Class
Management Fees	0.10%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees	none
Shareholder Servicing Fee	0.10%
Miscellaneous	0.20%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.40%

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	Institutional Investor Shares First American Tax Free Obligations Fund Institutional Investor Class
1 year	41
3 years	128
5 years	224
10 years	505

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal market conditions, Tax Free Obligations Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in high-quality, short-term municipal securities that pay interest that is exempt from federal income tax, including the federal alternative minimum tax. The municipal securities in which the fund invests include variable rate demand notes, which are floating rate instruments with a one- or seven-day put option that typically have some form of external credit or liquidity support. The fund also may invest in other municipal securities, including commercial paper, municipal notes and other short-term municipal obligations.

Municipal securities are issued by state and local governments, and certain U.S. territorial possessions to finance public infrastructure projects such as streets and highways, schools, water and sewer systems, hospitals, and airports. They also may be issued to refinance outstanding obligations as well as to obtain funds for general operating expenses and for loans to other public institutions and facilities. There are two principal classifications of municipal securities:

• general obligation bonds, which are backed by the full faith, credit, and taxing power of the issuer.
• revenue bonds, which are payable only from the revenues generated by a specific project or from another specific revenue source.

Under normal market conditions, up to 20% of the fund’s total assets may be invested in taxable money market securities and municipal securities subject to the alternative minimum tax, although the fund does not currently intend to invest in municipal securities subject to the alternative minimum tax. Under abnormal market conditions, the fund may invest more than 20% of its total assets in such taxable securities, as conditions dictate. This may prevent the fund from achieving its goal of providing maximum current income exempt from federal income taxes.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Because the fund refers to tax-free investments in its name, it has a fundamental investment policy that it will normally invest in assets so that at least 80% of the income that it distributes will be exempt from federal regular income tax. This policy may not be changed without shareholder approval.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the security when properly tendered by the fund.

Municipal Security Risk — The value of municipal securities owned by the fund may be adversely affected by future changes in federal income tax laws, including rate reductions or the imposition of a flat tax, and adverse changes in the financial conditions of municipal securities issuers.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Tax Risk — In order to be tax-exempt, municipal securities generally must meet certain regulatory requirements. If a municipal security fails to meet these requirements, the interest received by the fund from its investment in the security and distributed to shareholders may be taxable.

Variable Rate Demand Note (VRDN) Risk — Investments in VRDNs involve credit risk with respect to the issuer or financial institution providing the fund with the credit and liquidity support for the unconditional put option. While the fund invests only in VRDNs of high quality issuers, or which are supported by high quality financial institutions, it is still possible that an issuer or financial institution could default on its obligations.

Fund Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended June 30, 2007               0.87%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Average Annual Total Returns	Inception Date	One Year	Five Years	Since Inception
Institutional Investor Shares First American Tax Free Obligations Fund Institutional Investor Class	Mar. 31, 2006	none	1.06%	1.35%

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Class D Shares | First American Treasury Obligations Fund

Fund Summaries
Treasury Obligations Fund

Investment Objective

Treasury Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Fees and Expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	Class D Shares First American Treasury Obligations Fund Class D
Maximum Sales Charge (Load)	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	none

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses	Class D Shares First American Treasury Obligations Fund Class D
Management Fees	0.10%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees	0.15%
Shareholder Servicing Fee	0.25%
Miscellaneous	0.15%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.65%

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	Class D Shares First American Treasury Obligations Fund Class D
1 year	66
3 years	208
5 years	362
10 years	810

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal market conditions, Treasury Obligations Fund invests exclusively in short-term U.S. Treasury obligations, including repurchase agreements secured by U.S. Treasury obligations. The U.S. Treasury obligations in which the fund invests include U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills. These types of Treasury securities are essentially the same except for differences in interest rates, maturities, and dates of issuance. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests primarily in U.S. Treasury obligations and repurchase agreements secured by those securities, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Fund Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2006    1.19%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Average Annual Total Returns	Inception Date	One Year	Five Years	Ten Years
Class D Shares First American Treasury Obligations Fund Class D	Oct. 04, 1993	none	1.12%	1.52%

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Oct. 30, 2012

Class Y Shares | First American Treasury Obligations Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summaries
Treasury Obligations Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Treasury Obligations Fund’s objective is to seek maximum current income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example:

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, Treasury Obligations Fund invests exclusively in short-term U.S. Treasury obligations, including repurchase agreements secured by U.S. Treasury obligations. The U.S. Treasury obligations in which the fund invests include U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills. These types of Treasury securities are essentially the same except for differences in interest rates, maturities, and dates of issuance. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

When selecting securities for the fund, the portfolio managers first consider general economic factors, market conditions, and the short-term interest rate environment in determining what types of short-term instruments to purchase. The portfolio managers then select the specific instruments to be purchased. Generally, the portfolio managers buy and hold securities until their maturities. However, the portfolio managers may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust the portfolio’s average maturity, credit, liquidity or yield metrics.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Principal risks of investing in this fund include:

Credit Risk — The value of your investment might decline if the issuer of an obligation held by the fund defaults on the obligation or has its credit rating downgraded.

Income Risk — The level of income you receive from the fund will be affected by movements in short-term interest rates. Because the fund invests primarily in U.S. Treasury obligations and repurchase agreements secured by those securities, the fund may offer less income than money market funds investing in other high-quality money market securities.

Interest Rate Risk — The value of your investment might decline because of a sharp rise in interest rates that causes the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings to fall.

Liquidity Risk — The fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner or at a desired price, or may be unable to sell the security at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for the security.

Redemption Risk — If there are unexpectedly high redemptions of fund shares, the fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to their maturity, possibly at a loss.

Repurchase Agreement Risk — If the seller of a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities from the fund, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do so.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Money Market Fund [Text]

rr_RiskMoneyMarketFund

Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a deposit of U.S. Bank National Association and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Fund Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at firstamericanfunds.com or by calling 800 677-3863.

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart shows you the variability of the fund’s performance from year to year. The table illustrates the fund’s average annual total returns over the time periods indicated.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 677-3863

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

firstamericanfunds.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2006    1.23%

Worst Quarter:

Quarter ended December 31, 2011^*    0.00%

^*Most recent quarter with this return

during the period of the chart.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF 12/31/11

Class Y Shares | First American Treasury Obligations Fund | Class Y

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice

none

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Shareholder Servicing Fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Miscellaneous

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.15%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.50%

1 year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

51

3 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

160

5 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

280

10 years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

628

2002

rr_AnnualReturn2002

1.43%

^[1]

2003

rr_AnnualReturn2003

0.72%

^[1]

2004

rr_AnnualReturn2004

0.90%

^[1]

2005

rr_AnnualReturn2005

2.72%

^[1]

2006

rr_AnnualReturn2006

4.61%

^[1]

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

4.56%

^[1]

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

1.36%

^[1]

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

0.06%

^[1]

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

0.00%

^[1]

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.00%

^[1]

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.00%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2006

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

1.23%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.00%

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

none

Five Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.18%

Ten Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

1.62%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 24, 1995

[1] Total return for the period 1/1/12 through 9/30/12 was 0.00%.

XML

Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS INC
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	Oct. 30, 2012
Document Creation Date	dei_DocumentCreationDate	Oct. 30, 2012