Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Total revenues (Note 7)	$ 1,146,888	$ 707,890	$ 3,037,853	$ 2,062,698
Cost of services	840,300	456,465	2,166,731	1,366,141
Selling, general and administrative expenses	151,261	88,321	428,287	280,355
Total operating expenses	991,561	544,786	2,595,018	1,646,496
Operating income	155,327	163,104	442,835	416,202
Nonoperating expenses, net	(30,005)	(8,564)	(82,506)	(27,982)
Income before income taxes and equity in income of equity investments	125,322	154,540	360,329	388,220
Income taxes	44,247	37,825	127,966	119,204
Income before equity in income of equity investments	81,075	116,715	232,363	269,016
Equity in income of equity investments, net of tax	6,366	5,336	19,234	15,309
Net income	87,441	122,051	251,597	284,325
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2,089)	(1,429)	(5,909)	(3,109)
Net income attributable to Total System Services, Inc. (TSYS) common shareholders	$ 85,352	$ 120,622	$ 245,688	$ 281,216
Basic EPS:
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ 0.46	$ 0.66	$ 1.34	$ 1.53
Diluted EPS:
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ 0.46	$ 0.65	$ 1.33	$ 1.52