As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 20, 2003
                                                  Registration No. 333-[       ]
                                                                        -------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                ----------------

                                    FORM S-8

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      Under
                           The Securities Act of 1933
                                ----------------

                         THE FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

       California                                              95-1068610
(State or Other Jurisdiction of                              (I.R.S. Employer
 Incorporation or Organization)                              Identification No.)

                              1 First American Way
                        Santa Ana, California 92707-5913
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)
                                ----------------

               THE FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
                  (Restatement Effective As of January 1, 2001)
                            (Full title of the plan)
                                ----------------

    Mark R Arnesen, Esq.                                     (Copy to)
         Secretary                                       Neil W. Rust, Esq.
The First American Corporation                              White & Case
    1 First American Way                               633 West Fifth Street
  Santa Ana, California 92707                      Los Angeles, California 90071
      (714) 800-3000                                       (213) 620-7700
(Name, Address and Telephone
 Number of Agent For Service)
                                ----------------


                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
======================================================================================================================
                                                                                         Proposed
                                                                     Proposed             Maximum
                                                Amount                Maximum            Aggregate          Amount Of
         Title of Securities                    To Be             Offering Price          Offering         Registration
          To Be Registered                  Registered (2)         Per Share (3)         Price (3)             Fee
--------------------------------------- ----------------------- -------------------- ------------------- -----------------
<S>                                   <C>                         <C>              <C>                    <C>
Common shares, $1.00 par value (1)        10,000,000 shares           $27.625           $276,250,000        $22,348.63

Interests in the Plan                            (4)                    (4)                 (4)                (4)
======================================= ======================= ==================== =================== =================
</TABLE>
(1)  The common shares being registered  hereunder include the associated rights
     to  purchase  First  American's  Series  A Junior  Participating  Preferred
     Shares.  Such rights  initially  are  attached to and trade with the common
     shares being registered hereunder.
<PAGE>

(2)  This Registration  Statement also covers an indeterminate  number of Common
     shares  that may be issuable by reason of stock  splits,  stock  dividends,
     recapitalizations or similar transactions in accordance with Rule 416 under
     the Securities Act of 1933.

(3)  Estimated  solely for the purpose of calculating  the  registration  fee in
     accordance  with Rules 457(c) and 457(h) under the Securities Act, based on
     the average of the high and low prices of the Common  shares  registered on
     the New York Stock Exchange on May 15, 2003.

(4)  In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, this
     Registration  Statement also covers an indeterminate amount of interests to
     be  offered  or sold  pursuant  to the Plan  described  herein for which no
     separate fee is required.

<PAGE>




                                     PART I

              INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

     All information required by Part I to be contained in the prospectus is
omitted from this registration statement on Form S-8 in accordance with Rule 428
under the Securities Act of 1933.

                                     PART II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3.   Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

     The SEC allows First American to "incorporate by reference" information
into this registration statement which means that First American can disclose
important information to you by referring you to another document that First
American filed separately with the SEC. Accordingly, this registration statement
incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that First American has
previously filed with the SEC. These documents contain important business and
financial information about First American, including information concerning its
financial performance.

     First American and the plan each incorporates by reference into this
registration statement the following documents:

     o    our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002;

     o    our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2003;

     o    the plan's annual report on Form 11-K for the year ended December 31,
          2001;

     o    our current reports on Form 8-K filed February 12, 2003 and April 23,
          2003;

     o    the description of our common shares, $1.00 par value, contained in
          our registration statement on Form 8-A, dated November 19, 1993, which
          registers the shares under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act; and

     o    the description of Rights to Purchase Series A Junior Participating
          Preferred Shares, which may be transferred with our common shares,
          contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A, dated November 7,
          1997, which registers the rights under Section 12(b) of the Exchange
          Act.

     All documents subsequently filed by First American and the plan pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of
a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities registered hereby
have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall
be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this registration statement and
to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents, except as to any
portion of any future annual or quarterly report to shareholders or other
document that is not deemed filed under such provisions. For purposes of this
registration statement, any statement in a document incorporated by reference
shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement
contained in this registration statement modifies or supersedes a



                                      -1-
<PAGE>


statement in such document. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be
deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
registration statement.

Item 4.   Description of Securities.

          Not Applicable.

Item 5.   Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

          Not Applicable.

Item 6.   Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

     Subject to certain limitations, Section 317 of the California Corporations
Code provides in part that a corporation shall have the power to indemnify any
person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation to
procure a judgment in its favor) by reason of the fact that the person is or was
an agent (which term includes officers and directors) of the corporation,
against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts actually and
reasonably incurred in connection with the proceeding if that person acted in
good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in the best
interests of the corporation and, in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe the conduct of the person was unlawful.

     The California indemnification statute, as provided in Section 317 of the
California Corporations Code (noted above), is nonexclusive and allows a
corporation to expand the scope of indemnification provided, whether by
provisions in its Bylaws or by agreement, to the extent authorized in the
corporation's articles.

     The Restated Articles of Incorporation of First American provide that: "The
liability of the directors of the Corporation for monetary damages shall be
eliminated to the fullest extent permissible under California law." The effect
of this provision is to exculpate directors from any liability to First
American, or anyone claiming on First American's behalf, for breaches of the
directors' duty of care. However, the provision does not eliminate or limit the
liability of a director for actions taken in his capacity as an officer. In
addition, the provision applies only to monetary damages and is not intended to
impair the rights of parties suing on behalf of First American to seek equitable
remedies (such as actions to enjoin or rescind a transaction involving a breach
of the directors' duty of care or loyalty).

     The Bylaws of First American provide that, subject to certain
qualifications, "(i) The corporation shall indemnify its Officers and Directors
to the fullest extent permitted by law, including those circumstances in which
indemnification would otherwise be discretionary; (ii) the corporation is
required to advance expenses to its Officers and Directors as incurred,
including expenses relating to obtaining a determination that such Officers and
Directors are entitled to indemnification, provided that they undertake to repay
the amount advanced if it is ultimately determined that they are not entitled to
indemnification; (iii) an Officer or Director may bring suit against the
corporation if a claim for indemnification is not timely paid; (iv) the
corporation may not retroactively amend this Section 1 in a way which is adverse
to its Officers and Directors; (v) the provisions of subsections (i) through
(iv) above shall apply to all past and



                                      -2-

<PAGE>


present Officers and Directors of the corporation." "Officer" includes the
following officers of First American: Chairman of the Board, President, Vice
President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer,
Assistant Treasurer and such other officers as the board shall designate from
time to time. "Director" of First American means any person appointed to serve
on First American's board of directors either by its shareholders or by the
remaining board members.

     Each of First American's 1996 Stock Option Plan, 1997 Directors' Stock
Plan, 401(k) Savings Plan, Pension Plan and Pension Restoration Plan (for
purposes of this paragraph only, each individually, the "Plan") provides that,
subject to certain conditions, First American may, through the purchase of
insurance or otherwise, indemnify each member of the Board (or board of
directors of any affiliate), each member of the committee charged with
administering the Plan, and any other employees to whom any responsibility with
respect to the Plan is allocated or delegated, from and against any and all
claims, losses, damages, and expenses, including attorneys' fees, and any
liability, including any amounts paid in settlement with First American's
approval, arising from the individual's action or failure to act, except when
the same is judicially determined to be attributable to the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of such person.

     First American's Deferred Compensation Plan (for purposes of this paragraph
only, the "Plan") provides that, "To the extent permitted by applicable state
law, the Company shall indemnify and save harmless the Committee and each member
thereof, the Board of Directors and any delegate of the Committee who is an
employee of the Company against any and all expenses, liabilities and claims,
including legal fees to defend against such liabilities and claims arising out
of their discharge in good faith of responsibilities under or incident to the
Plan, other than expenses and liabilities arising out of willful misconduct.
This indemnity shall not preclude such further indemnities as may be available
under insurance purchased by the Company or provided by the Company under any
bylaw, agreement or otherwise, as such indemnities are permitted under state
law."

     Each of First American's Management Supplemental Benefit Plan and Executive
Supplemental Benefit Plan (for purposes of this paragraph only, each
individually, the "Plan") provides that, subject to certain conditions, First
American may, through the purchase of insurance or otherwise, indemnify and hold
harmless, to the extent permitted by law, the members of the Board of Directors
and any other employees to whom any responsibility with respect to the
administration of the Plan has been delegated against any and all costs,
expenses and liabilities (including attorneys' fees) incurred by such parties in
performing their duties and responsibilities under the Plan, provided that such
party or parties were not guilty of willful misconduct.

     First American has a policy of liability insurance which insures its
directors and officers against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a
judgment under certain circumstances.

Item 7.   Exemption from Registration Claimed.

          Not Applicable.


                                      -3-

<PAGE>


Item 8.   Exhibits.

     First American undertakes that it will submit or has submitted the Plan and
any amendment thereto to the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") in a timely manner
and has made or will make all changes required by the IRS in order to qualify
the Plan.

     The following exhibits are filed as part of this registration statement:

Exhibit
Number         Description
------         -----------

4.1            Restated Articles of Incorporation of First American dated July
               14, 1998 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 of Amendment
               No. 1, dated July 28, 1998, to First American's Registration
               Statement No. 333-53681 on Form S-4).

4.2            Certificate of Amendment of Restated Articles of Incorporation of
               First American dated April 23, 1999 (incorporated by reference
               from Exhibit (3) to First American's quarterly report on Form
               10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1999).

4.3            Certificate of Amendment of Restated Articles of Incorporation of
               First American dated May 11, 2000 (incorporated by reference from
               Exhibit 3.1 to First American's current report on Form 8-K dated
               June 12, 2000).

4.4            Bylaws of First American, as amended (incorporated by reference
               from Exhibit 3(d) to First American's annual report on Form 10-K
               for the year ended December 31, 2000).

4.5            Description of First American's capital stock in Article Sixth of
               First American's Restated Articles of Incorporation (contained in
               Exhibits 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3).

4.6            Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4 of
               First American's Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated
               November 7, 1997).

4.7            The First American Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan (Restatement
               effective as of January 1, 2001).

4.8            Amendment No. 1 to The First American Corporation 401(k) Savings
               Plan (Restatement effective as of January 1, 2001).

4.9            Amendment No. 2 to The First American Corporation 401(k) Savings
               Plan (Restatement effective as of January 1, 2001).

4.10           Amendment No. 3 to The First American Corporation 401(k) Savings
               Plan (Restatement effective as of January 1, 2001).


                                      -4-

<PAGE>


5              Opinion of White & Case LLP.

23.1           Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants to
               First American.

23.2           Consent of White & Case LLP (contained in Exhibit 5).

24             Power of Attorney.



Item 9.   Undertakings.

     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

     (1) To file, during the period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

          (i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
     Securities Act;

          (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
     the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
     post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
     represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
     registration statement; and

          (iii) to include any additional or changed material information on the
     plan of distribution;

     provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the
     information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
     paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
     SEC by First American pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
     Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration
     statement.

     (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.

     (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.

     (4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference
in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.


                                      -5-

<PAGE>


     (5) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.


                                      -6-

<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Santa Ana, State of California, on May 20, 2003.

                                     THE FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION



                                     By:  /s/ Parker S. Kennedy
                                        -------------------------------------
                                            Parker S. Kennedy, President
                                            (Principal Executive Officer)



     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.



     Date: May 20, 2003              By:/s/ D.P. Kennedy
                                        -------------------------------------
                                          D.P. Kennedy, Chairman and Director



     Date: May 20, 2003              By:/s/ Parker S. Kennedy
                                        --------------------------------------
                                          Parker S. Kennedy, President
                                           and Director



     Date: May 20, 2003              By:/s/ Thomas A. Klemens
                                        --------------------------------------
                                        Thomas A. Klemens, Senior Executive Vice
                                          President, Chief Financial Officer
                                          (Principal Financial Officer)



     Date: May 20, 2003              By:/s/ Max O. Valdes
                                        --------------------------------------
                                        Max O. Valdes, Vice President,
                                          Chief Accounting Officer
                                          (Principal Accounting Officer)


<PAGE>


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.



     Date: May 20, 2003              By:              *
                                        ----------------------------------
                                              Gary J. Beban, Director

     Date: May 20, 2003              By:              *
                                        ----------------------------------
                                              J. David Chatham, Director

     Date: May 20, 2003              By:              *
                                        ----------------------------------
                                             James L. Doti, Director

     Date: May 20, 2003              By:              *
                                        ----------------------------------
                                            Paul B. Fay, Jr., Director

     Date: May 20, 2003              By:              *
                                        ----------------------------------
                                             Frank E. O'Bryan, Director

     Date: May 20, 2003              By:              *
                                        ----------------------------------
                                               Roslyn B. Payne, Director

     Date: May 20, 2003              By:              *
                                        ---------------------------------
                                            D. Van Skilling, Director

     Date: May 20, 2003              By:              *
                                        ---------------------------------
                                             Herbert B. Tasker, Director

     Date: May 20, 2003              By:              *
                                        ---------------------------------
                                          Virginia M. Ueberroth, Director

     *By:/s/ Mark R Arnesen
         -------------------------------
            Mark R Arnesen
            Attorney-in-Fact


<PAGE>


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the committee
responsible for administering The First American Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Santa Ana, State of
California, on May 20, 2003.

                                     THE FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION
                                     401(K) SAVINGS PLAN



                                     By:  /s/ Mark R Arnesen
                                        -------------------------------------
                                                  Mark R Arnesen
                                        (Member of the committee responsible
                                        for administering the above-named plan)



<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number         Description
------         -----------

4.1            Restated Articles of Incorporation of First American dated July
               14, 1998 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 of Amendment
               No. 1, dated July 28, 1998, to First American's Registration
               Statement No. 333-53681 on Form S-4).

4.2            Certificate of Amendment of Restated Articles of Incorporation of
               First American dated April 23, 1999 (incorporated by reference
               from Exhibit (3) to First American's quarterly report on Form
               10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1999).

4.3            Certificate of Amendment of Restated Articles of Incorporation of
               First American dated May 11, 2000 (incorporated by reference from
               Exhibit 3.1 to First American's current report on Form 8-K dated
               June 12, 2000).

4.4            Bylaws of First American, as amended (incorporated by reference
               from Exhibit 3(d) to First American's annual report on Form 10-K
               for the year ended December 31, 2000).

4.5            Description of First American's capital stock in Article Sixth of
               First American's Restated Articles of Incorporation (contained in
               Exhibits 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3).

4.6            Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4 of
               First American's Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated
               November 7, 1997).

4.7            The First American Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan (Restatement
               effective as of January 1, 2001).

4.8            Amendment No. 1 to The First American Corporation 401(k) Savings
               Plan (Restatement effective as of January 1, 2001).

4.9            Amendment No. 2 to The First American Corporation 401(k) Savings
               Plan (Restatement effective as of January 1, 2001).

4.10           Amendment No. 3 to The First American Corporation 401(k) Savings
               Plan (Restatement effective as of January 1, 2001).

5              Opinion of White & Case LLP.

23.1           Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants to
               First American.


<PAGE>


23.2           Consent of White & Case LLP (contained in Exhibit 5).

24             Power of Attorney.
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 20, 2003
                                                  Registration No. 333-[       ]
                                                                        -------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                ----------------

                                    FORM S-8

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      Under
                           The Securities Act of 1933
                                ----------------

                         THE FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

       California                                              95-1068610
(State or Other Jurisdiction of                              (I.R.S. Employer
 Incorporation or Organization)                              Identification No.)

                              1 First American Way
                        Santa Ana, California 92707-5913
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)
                                ----------------

               THE FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
                  (Restatement Effective As of January 1, 2001)
                            (Full title of the plan)
                                ----------------

    Mark R Arnesen, Esq.                                     (Copy to)
         Secretary                                       Neil W. Rust, Esq.
The First American Corporation                              White & Case
    1 First American Way                               633 West Fifth Street
  Santa Ana, California 92707                      Los Angeles, California 90071
      (714) 800-3000                                       (213) 620-7700
(Name, Address and Telephone
 Number of Agent For Service)
                                ----------------

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

======================================================================================================================
                                                                                         Proposed
                                                                     Proposed             Maximum
                                                Amount                Maximum            Aggregate          Amount Of
         Title of Securities                    To Be             Offering Price          Offering         Registration
          To Be Registered                  Registered (2)         Per Share (3)         Price (3)             Fee
--------------------------------------- ----------------------- -------------------- ------------------- -----------------
Common shares, $1.00 par value (1)        10,000,000 shares           $27.625           $276,250,000        $22,348.63

Interests in the Plan                            (4)                    (4)                 (4)                (4)
======================================= ======================= ==================== =================== =================
(1)  The common shares being registered  hereunder include the associated rights
     to  purchase  First  American's  Series  A Junior  Participating  Preferred
     Shares.  Such rights  initially  are  attached to and trade with the common
     shares being registered hereunder.
(2)  This Registration  Statement also covers an indeterminate  number of Common
     shares  that may be issuable by reason of stock  splits,  stock  dividends,
     recapitalizations or similar transactions in accordance with Rule 416 under
     the Securities Act of 1933.

(3)  Estimated  solely for the purpose of calculating  the  registration  fee in
     accordance  with Rules 457(c) and 457(h) under the Securities Act, based on
     the average of the high and low prices of the Common  shares  registered on
     the New York Stock Exchange on May 15, 2003.

(4)  In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, this
     Registration  Statement also covers an indeterminate amount of interests to
     be  offered  or sold  pursuant  to the Plan  described  herein for which no
     separate fee is required.
PART I

              INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

     All information required by Part I to be contained in the prospectus is
omitted from this registration statement on Form S-8 in accordance with Rule 428
under the Securities Act of 1933.

                                     PART II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3.   Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

     The SEC allows First American to "incorporate by reference" information
into this registration statement which means that First American can disclose
important information to you by referring you to another document that First
American filed separately with the SEC. Accordingly, this registration statement
incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that First American has
previously filed with the SEC. These documents contain important business and
financial information about First American, including information concerning its
financial performance.

     First American and the plan each incorporates by reference into this
registration statement the following documents:

     o    our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002;

     o    our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2003;

     o    the plan's annual report on Form 11-K for the year ended December 31,
          2001;

     o    our current reports on Form 8-K filed February 12, 2003 and April 23,
          2003;

     o    the description of our common shares, $1.00 par value, contained in
          our registration statement on Form 8-A, dated November 19, 1993, which
          registers the shares under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act; and

     o    the description of Rights to Purchase Series A Junior Participating
          Preferred Shares, which may be transferred with our common shares,
          contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A, dated November 7,
          1997, which registers the rights under Section 12(b) of the Exchange
          Act.

     All documents subsequently filed by First American and the plan pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of
a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities registered hereby
have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall
be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this registration statement and
to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents, except as to any
portion of any future annual or quarterly report to shareholders or other
document that is not deemed filed under such provisions. For purposes of this
registration statement, any statement in a document incorporated by reference
shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement
contained in this registration statement modifies or supersedes a

                                      -1-
statement in such document. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be
deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
registration statement.

Item 4.   Description of Securities.

          Not Applicable.

Item 5.   Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

          Not Applicable.

Item 6.   Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

     Subject to certain limitations, Section 317 of the California Corporations
Code provides in part that a corporation shall have the power to indemnify any
person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation to
procure a judgment in its favor) by reason of the fact that the person is or was
an agent (which term includes officers and directors) of the corporation,
against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts actually and
reasonably incurred in connection with the proceeding if that person acted in
good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in the best
interests of the corporation and, in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe the conduct of the person was unlawful.

     The California indemnification statute, as provided in Section 317 of the
California Corporations Code (noted above), is nonexclusive and allows a
corporation to expand the scope of indemnification provided, whether by
provisions in its Bylaws or by agreement, to the extent authorized in the
corporation's articles.

     The Restated Articles of Incorporation of First American provide that: "The
liability of the directors of the Corporation for monetary damages shall be
eliminated to the fullest extent permissible under California law." The effect
of this provision is to exculpate directors from any liability to First
American, or anyone claiming on First American's behalf, for breaches of the
directors' duty of care. However, the provision does not eliminate or limit the
liability of a director for actions taken in his capacity as an officer. In
addition, the provision applies only to monetary damages and is not intended to
impair the rights of parties suing on behalf of First American to seek equitable
remedies (such as actions to enjoin or rescind a transaction involving a breach
of the directors' duty of care or loyalty).

     The Bylaws of First American provide that, subject to certain
qualifications, "(i) The corporation shall indemnify its Officers and Directors
to the fullest extent permitted by law, including those circumstances in which
indemnification would otherwise be discretionary; (ii) the corporation is
required to advance expenses to its Officers and Directors as incurred,
including expenses relating to obtaining a determination that such Officers and
Directors are entitled to indemnification, provided that they undertake to repay
the amount advanced if it is ultimately determined that they are not entitled to
indemnification; (iii) an Officer or Director may bring suit against the
corporation if a claim for indemnification is not timely paid; (iv) the
corporation may not retroactively amend this Section 1 in a way which is adverse
to its Officers and Directors; (v) the provisions of subsections (i) through
(iv) above shall apply to all past and

                                      -2-
present Officers and Directors of the corporation." "Officer" includes the
following officers of First American: Chairman of the Board, President, Vice
President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer,
Assistant Treasurer and such other officers as the board shall designate from
time to time. "Director" of First American means any person appointed to serve
on First American's board of directors either by its shareholders or by the
remaining board members.

     Each of First American's 1996 Stock Option Plan, 1997 Directors' Stock
Plan, 401(k) Savings Plan, Pension Plan and Pension Restoration Plan (for
purposes of this paragraph only, each individually, the "Plan") provides that,
subject to certain conditions, First American may, through the purchase of
insurance or otherwise, indemnify each member of the Board (or board of
directors of any affiliate), each member of the committee charged with
administering the Plan, and any other employees to whom any responsibility with
respect to the Plan is allocated or delegated, from and against any and all
claims, losses, damages, and expenses, including attorneys' fees, and any
liability, including any amounts paid in settlement with First American's
approval, arising from the individual's action or failure to act, except when
the same is judicially determined to be attributable to the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of such person.

     First American's Deferred Compensation Plan (for purposes of this paragraph
only, the "Plan") provides that, "To the extent permitted by applicable state
law, the Company shall indemnify and save harmless the Committee and each member
thereof, the Board of Directors and any delegate of the Committee who is an
employee of the Company against any and all expenses, liabilities and claims,
including legal fees to defend against such liabilities and claims arising out
of their discharge in good faith of responsibilities under or incident to the
Plan, other than expenses and liabilities arising out of willful misconduct.
This indemnity shall not preclude such further indemnities as may be available
under insurance purchased by the Company or provided by the Company under any
bylaw, agreement or otherwise, as such indemnities are permitted under state
law."

     Each of First American's Management Supplemental Benefit Plan and Executive
Supplemental Benefit Plan (for purposes of this paragraph only, each
individually, the "Plan") provides that, subject to certain conditions, First
American may, through the purchase of insurance or otherwise, indemnify and hold
harmless, to the extent permitted by law, the members of the Board of Directors
and any other employees to whom any responsibility with respect to the
administration of the Plan has been delegated against any and all costs,
expenses and liabilities (including attorneys' fees) incurred by such parties in
performing their duties and responsibilities under the Plan, provided that such
party or parties were not guilty of willful misconduct.

     First American has a policy of liability insurance which insures its
directors and officers against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a
judgment under certain circumstances.

Item 7.   Exemption from Registration Claimed.

          Not Applicable.

                                      -3-
Item 8.   Exhibits.

     First American undertakes that it will submit or has submitted the Plan and
any amendment thereto to the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") in a timely manner
and has made or will make all changes required by the IRS in order to qualify
the Plan.

     The following exhibits are filed as part of this registration statement:

Exhibit
Number         Description
------         -----------

4.1            Restated Articles of Incorporation of First American dated July
               14, 1998 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 of Amendment
               No. 1, dated July 28, 1998, to First American's Registration
               Statement No. 333-53681 on Form S-4).

4.2            Certificate of Amendment of Restated Articles of Incorporation of
               First American dated April 23, 1999 (incorporated by reference
               from Exhibit (3) to First American's quarterly report on Form
               10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1999).

4.3            Certificate of Amendment of Restated Articles of Incorporation of
               First American dated May 11, 2000 (incorporated by reference from
               Exhibit 3.1 to First American's current report on Form 8-K dated
               June 12, 2000).

4.4            Bylaws of First American, as amended (incorporated by reference
               from Exhibit 3(d) to First American's annual report on Form 10-K
               for the year ended December 31, 2000).

4.5            Description of First American's capital stock in Article Sixth of
               First American's Restated Articles of Incorporation (contained in
               Exhibits 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3).

4.6            Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4 of
               First American's Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated
               November 7, 1997).

4.7            The First American Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan (Restatement
               effective as of January 1, 2001).

4.8            Amendment No. 1 to The First American Corporation 401(k) Savings
               Plan (Restatement effective as of January 1, 2001).

4.9            Amendment No. 2 to The First American Corporation 401(k) Savings
               Plan (Restatement effective as of January 1, 2001).

4.10           Amendment No. 3 to The First American Corporation 401(k) Savings
               Plan (Restatement effective as of January 1, 2001).

                                      -4-
5              Opinion of White & Case LLP.

23.1           Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants to
               First American.

23.2           Consent of White & Case LLP (contained in Exhibit 5).

24             Power of Attorney.

Item 9.   Undertakings.

     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

     (1) To file, during the period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

          (i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
     Securities Act;

          (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
     the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
     post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
     represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
     registration statement; and

          (iii) to include any additional or changed material information on the
     plan of distribution;

     provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the
     information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
     paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
     SEC by First American pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
     Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration
     statement.

     (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.

     (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.

     (4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference
in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

                                      -5-
(5) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

                                      -6-
SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Santa Ana, State of California, on May 20, 2003.

                                     THE FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION

                                     By:  /s/ Parker S. Kennedy
                                        -------------------------------------
                                            Parker S. Kennedy, President
                                            (Principal Executive Officer)

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

     Date: May 20, 2003              By:/s/ D.P. Kennedy
                                        -------------------------------------
                                          D.P. Kennedy, Chairman and Director

     Date: May 20, 2003              By:/s/ Parker S. Kennedy
                                        --------------------------------------
                                          Parker S. Kennedy, President
                                           and Director

     Date: May 20, 2003              By:/s/ Thomas A. Klemens
                                        --------------------------------------
                                        Thomas A. Klemens, Senior Executive Vice
                                          President, Chief Financial Officer
                                          (Principal Financial Officer)

     Date: May 20, 2003              By:/s/ Max O. Valdes
                                        --------------------------------------
                                        Max O. Valdes, Vice President,
                                          Chief Accounting Officer
                                          (Principal Accounting Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

     Date: May 20, 2003              By:              *
                                        ----------------------------------
                                              Gary J. Beban, Director

     Date: May 20, 2003              By:              *
                                        ----------------------------------
                                              J. David Chatham, Director

     Date: May 20, 2003              By:              *
                                        ----------------------------------
                                             James L. Doti, Director

     Date: May 20, 2003              By:              *
                                        ----------------------------------
                                            Paul B. Fay, Jr., Director

     Date: May 20, 2003              By:              *
                                        ----------------------------------
                                             Frank E. O'Bryan, Director

     Date: May 20, 2003              By:              *
                                        ----------------------------------
                                               Roslyn B. Payne, Director

     Date: May 20, 2003              By:              *
                                        ---------------------------------
                                            D. Van Skilling, Director

     Date: May 20, 2003              By:              *
                                        ---------------------------------
                                             Herbert B. Tasker, Director

     Date: May 20, 2003              By:              *
                                        ---------------------------------
                                          Virginia M. Ueberroth, Director

     *By:/s/ Mark R Arnesen
         -------------------------------
            Mark R Arnesen
            Attorney-in-Fact
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the committee
responsible for administering The First American Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Santa Ana, State of
California, on May 20, 2003.

                                     THE FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION
                                     401(K) SAVINGS PLAN

                                     By:  /s/ Mark R Arnesen
                                        -------------------------------------
                                                  Mark R Arnesen
                                        (Member of the committee responsible
                                        for administering the above-named plan)
EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number         Description
------         -----------

4.1            Restated Articles of Incorporation of First American dated July
               14, 1998 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 of Amendment
               No. 1, dated July 28, 1998, to First American's Registration
               Statement No. 333-53681 on Form S-4).

4.2            Certificate of Amendment of Restated Articles of Incorporation of
               First American dated April 23, 1999 (incorporated by reference
               from Exhibit (3) to First American's quarterly report on Form
               10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1999).

4.3            Certificate of Amendment of Restated Articles of Incorporation of
               First American dated May 11, 2000 (incorporated by reference from
               Exhibit 3.1 to First American's current report on Form 8-K dated
               June 12, 2000).

4.4            Bylaws of First American, as amended (incorporated by reference
               from Exhibit 3(d) to First American's annual report on Form 10-K
               for the year ended December 31, 2000).

4.5            Description of First American's capital stock in Article Sixth of
               First American's Restated Articles of Incorporation (contained in
               Exhibits 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3).

4.6            Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4 of
               First American's Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated
               November 7, 1997).

4.7            The First American Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan (Restatement
               effective as of January 1, 2001).

4.8            Amendment No. 1 to The First American Corporation 401(k) Savings
               Plan (Restatement effective as of January 1, 2001).

4.9            Amendment No. 2 to The First American Corporation 401(k) Savings
               Plan (Restatement effective as of January 1, 2001).

4.10           Amendment No. 3 to The First American Corporation 401(k) Savings
               Plan (Restatement effective as of January 1, 2001).

5              Opinion of White & Case LLP.

23.1           Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants to
               First American.
23.2           Consent of White & Case LLP (contained in Exhibit 5).

24             Power of Attorney.