CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF AMERIS BANCORP (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 18,177	$ 21,557	$ 20,049	$ 12,317	$ 14,148	$ 15,627	$ 1,308	$ 9,764	$ 72,100	$ 40,847	$ 38,723
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Stock-based compensation expense									2,261	1,485	2,057
(Increase) decrease in interest payable									446	(327)	(49)
Decrease in tax receivable									(8,328)	9,033	(7,221)
Provision for deferred taxes									847	(344)	6,516
Other operating activities									(5,128)	10,696	3,896
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities									(69,767)	(25,223)	(5,596)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Net cash provided by investing activities									(802,865)	(167,860)	31,170
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issuance of common stock									0	114,889	0
Purchase of treasury shares									1,225	732	474
Dividends paid preferred stock									0	0	286
Dividends paid common stock									8,584	6,439	4,016
Proceeds from other borrowings									635,886	0	118,963
Repayment of other borrowings									231,020	39,881	257,060
Repurchase of preferred stock									0	0	28,000
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									680,454	413,287	(123,154)
Net change in cash and due from banks									(192,178)	220,204	(97,580)
Cash and due from banks at beginning of year				118,518					118,518
Cash and due from banks at end of year	127,164				118,518				127,164	118,518
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the year for interest									19,248	15,183	14,667
Cash paid during the year for income taxes									40,575	5,828	19,281
Parent Company [Member]
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income									72,100	40,847	38,723
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Stock-based compensation expense									2,261	1,485	2,058
Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries									(43,394)	(34,740)	(13,831)
(Increase) decrease in interest payable									(63)	20	(214)
Decrease in tax receivable									(3,224)	(2,656)	(256)
Provision for deferred taxes									508	188	(426)
Other operating activities									(528)	866	(1,558)
Total adjustments									(44,440)	(34,837)	(14,227)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities									27,660	6,010	24,496
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Investment in subsidiary									0	(60,000)	0
Net cash proceeds received from (paid for) acquisitions									(23,205)	(49,940)	144
Net cash provided by investing activities									(23,205)	(109,940)	144
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issuance of common stock									0	114,889	0
Purchase of treasury shares									(1,225)	(732)	(474)
Dividends paid preferred stock									0	0	(286)
Dividends paid common stock									(8,584)	(6,439)	(4,016)
Proceeds from other borrowings									14,000	0	14,000
Repayment of other borrowings									(15,000)	0	(9,005)
Repurchase of preferred stock									0	0	(28,000)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options									964	1,191	459
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									(9,845)	108,909	(27,322)
Net change in cash and due from banks									(5,390)	4,979	(2,682)
Cash and due from banks at beginning of year				$ 5,847				$ 868	5,847	868	3,550
Cash and due from banks at end of year	$ 457				$ 5,847				457	5,847	868
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the year for interest									6,343	4,793	4,772
Cash paid during the year for income taxes									$ 0	$ 0	$ 0