Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	May 07, 2019
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	C & F FINANCIAL CORP
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000913341
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		3,469,827
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false