Unrecognized cost of unvested share-based compensation awards.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

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- Definition

The total recognized tax benefit related to compensation cost for equity-based payment arrangements recognized in income during the period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

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The aggregate amount of noncash, equity-based employee remuneration. This may include the value of stock or unit options, amortization of restricted stock or units, and adjustment for officers' compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

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- Definition

The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(i)-(ii)

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- Definition

Fair value of share-based awards for which the grantee gained the right by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

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- Definition

The estimated dividend rate (a percentage of the share price) to be paid (expected dividends) to holders of the underlying shares over the option's term.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

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- Definition

Expected term of share-based compensation awards, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 14.D.2)

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

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-Section 50

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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 14

-Section D

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The estimated measure of the percentage by which a share price is expected to fluctuate during a period. Volatility also may be defined as a probability-weighted measure of the dispersion of returns about the mean. The volatility of a share price is the standard deviation of the continuously compounded rates of return on the share over a specified period. That is the same as the standard deviation of the differences in the natural logarithms of the stock prices plus dividends, if any, over the period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

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- Definition

The risk-free interest rate assumption that is used in valuing an option on its own shares.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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- Definition

Common stock, closing price

+ References

No definition available.

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Restricted stock units with performance condition

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- Definition

Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, equity instruments other than options, nonvested, aggregate intrinsic value

+ References

No definition available.

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Employee Benefits And Stock-Based Compensation (Stock Based Compensation to Modifications) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	2,179,000	2,442,000	2,478,000	2,345,000
Closing price of Verisign's stock	$ 57.00vrsn_CommonStockClosingPrice
Share-based Compensation	$ 43,977,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation	$ 36,649,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation	$ 33,362,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation	0	179,000	956,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation	32,304,000	29,123,000	28,874,000
Employee Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Volatility	24.00%	26.00%	26.00%
Risk-free interest rate	0.16%	0.14%	0.16%
Expected term (in years)	1 year 90 days	1 year 90 days	1 year 90 days
Share-based Compensation	4,192,000	5,307,000	4,436,000
Dividend Yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Income Tax Expense [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Income tax benefit on stock-based compensation	15,100,000	11,900,000	9,400,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total unrecognized compensation cost	56,400,000
Weighted-average period of recognition for unrecognized compensation cost (in years)	2 years 3 months
Aggregate intrinsic value of unvested RSUs	124,300,000
Fair values of vested RSUs	$ 47,900,000	$ 41,500,000	$ 31,700,000
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	300,000
Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock units with performance condition	0
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock units with performance condition	600,000