Discontinued Operations (Revenues And Components Of Discontinued Operations, Net Of Tax) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation Disclosures [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 0	$ 44	$ 248,740
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes	11,141	(538)	63,906
Gains on sale of discontinued operations, before income taxes	0	451	979,560
Income tax (expense) benefit	(3,594)	4,422	(279,644)
Income from discontinued operations	7,547	4,335	763,822
Less: Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiary	0	0	(2,887)
Total income from discontinued operations, net of tax, attributable to Verisign stockholders	$ 7,547	$ 4,335	$ 760,935