Parent Company Condensed Financial Information - Statements of Income (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
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Interest expense on borrowings									$ (3,702)	$ (3,433)	$ (3,338)
Other income									3,395	3,475	1,759
Other expenses	$ (17,950)	$ (18,255)	$ (18,280)	$ (17,845)	$ (17,470)	$ (17,933)	$ (17,647)	$ (17,090)	(18,448)	(18,555)	(18,420)
Net income	$ (3,315)	$ 3,017	$ 4,139	$ 2,731	$ 3,082	$ 3,187	$ 4,706	$ 2,484	6,572	13,459	12,530
C&F Financial Corporation
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Interest expense on borrowings									(1,151)	(1,143)	(1,162)
Dividends received from C&F Bank									5,008	4,464	5,255
Equity in undistributed net income (loss) of subsidiaries									3,482	10,618	8,568
Other income									31	26	22
Other expenses									(798)	(506)	(153)
Net income									$ 6,572	$ 13,459	$ 12,530