CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF AMERIS BANCORP (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) - Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 9,150	$ 20,158	$ 23,087	$ 21,153	$ 18,177	$ 21,557	$ 20,049	$ 12,317	$ 73,548	$ 72,100	$ 40,847
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Share-based compensation expense									3,316	2,261	1,485
Increase (decrease) in interest payable									1,757	446	(327)
Decrease (increase) in tax receivable									(473)	(8,328)	9,033
Provision for deferred taxes									12,430	847	(344)
Other operating activities									10,895	(5,128)	10,696
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issuance of common stock									88,656	0	114,889
Purchase of treasury shares									(886)	(1,225)	(732)
Dividends paid - common stock									(14,650)	(8,584)	(6,439)
Proceeds from other borrowings									1,837,692	635,886	0
Repayment of other borrowings									(2,079,554)	(231,020)	(39,881)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents									132,273	(192,178)	220,204
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year				127,164					127,164
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	139,313				127,164				139,313	127,164
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the year for interest									32,465	19,248	15,183
Cash paid (received) during the year for income taxes									38,939	40,575	5,828
Ameris Bancorp
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income									73,548	72,100	40,847
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Share-based compensation expense									3,316	2,261	1,485
Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries									(76,471)	(43,394)	(34,740)
Increase (decrease) in interest payable									1,142	(63)	20
Decrease (increase) in tax receivable									5,176	(3,224)	(2,656)
Provision for deferred taxes									(4,620)	508	188
Other operating activities									1,230	(528)	866
Total adjustments									(70,227)	(44,440)	(34,837)
Net cash provided by operating activities									3,321	27,660	6,010
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Investment in subsidiary									(110,000)	0	(60,000)
Net cash proceeds received from (paid for) acquisitions									0	(23,205)	(49,940)
Net cash used in investing activities									(110,000)	(23,205)	(109,940)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issuance of common stock									88,656	0	114,889
Purchase of treasury shares									(886)	(1,225)	(732)
Dividends paid - common stock									(14,650)	(8,584)	(6,439)
Proceeds from other borrowings									73,692	14,000	0
Repayment of other borrowings									(38,850)	(15,000)	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options									2,669	964	1,191
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									110,631	(9,845)	108,909
Net change in cash and cash equivalents									3,952	(5,390)	4,979
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year				$ 457				$ 5,847	457	5,847	868
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 4,409				$ 457				4,409	457	5,847
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the year for interest									7,923	6,343	4,793
Cash paid (received) during the year for income taxes									$ (11,000)	$ 0	$ 0