The percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount borrowed under the credit facility as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAmountOutstanding
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for the line of credit facility regardless of whether the facility has been used.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of current borrowing capacity under the credit facility considering any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed (for example, borrowings may be limited by the amount of current assets), but without considering any amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Date the credit facility terminates, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationDate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate increase of commitment amount available.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vrsn_AggregateIncreaseOfCommitmentAmountAvailable
Namespace Prefix:	vrsn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Interest Coverage Ratio

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vrsn_InterestCoverageRatio
Namespace Prefix:	vrsn_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Leverage Ratio

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vrsn_LeverageRatio
Namespace Prefix:	vrsn_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Debt And Interest Expense (Credit Facilities) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Nov. 28, 2011	Nov. 22, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowing capacity of senior unsecured revolving credit facility			$ 200.0
Credit facility, termination date	Nov. 22, 2016
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding		100.0
Aggregate increase of commitment amount available	$ 150.0
Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee percentage	0.20%
Interest coverage ratio	3.0
Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee percentage	0.30%
Leverage ratio	2.0
LIBOR Or EURIBOR Based Rate Plus Market-Rate [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread rate on borrowings	1.50%
LIBOR Or EURIBOR Based Rate Plus Market-Rate [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread rate on borrowings	2.00%
Lender's Base Rate [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread rate on borrowings	0.50%
Lender's Base Rate [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread rate on borrowings	1.00%
Federal Funds Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread rate on borrowings	0.50%