Parent Company Condensed Financial Information - Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Interest expense on borrowings									$ (4,189)	$ (3,702)	$ (3,433)
Other income									2,880	3,888	3,895
Other expenses	$ (17,758)	$ (18,674)	$ (18,761)	$ (18,539)	$ (18,080)	$ (18,371)	$ (18,403)	$ (17,969)	(23,421)	(21,496)	(20,987)
Net income	$ 3,957	$ 5,101	$ 5,070	$ 3,892	$ (3,315)	$ 3,017	$ 4,139	$ 2,731	18,020	6,572	13,459
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax									(2,785)	(569)	(2,155)
Comprehensive income									15,235	6,003	11,304
C&F Financial Corporation
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Interest expense on borrowings									(1,152)	(1,151)	(1,143)
Dividends received from C&F Bank									6,312	5,008	4,464
Equity in undistributed net income of C&F Bank									13,228	3,482	10,618
Other income									45	31	26
Other expenses									(413)	(798)	(506)
Net income									18,020	6,572	13,459
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax									(2,785)	(569)	(2,155)
Comprehensive income									$ 15,235	$ 6,003	$ 11,304