VeriSign (VRSN)

DIRECTORS NONQUALIFIED INITIAL STOCK OPTION GRANT

This Stock Option Grant (this “Grant”) is made and entered into as of the date of grant set forth below (the “Date of Grant”) by and between VeriSign, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the Optionee named below (“Optionee”).

1.  Grant of Option.    The Company hereby grants to Optionee an option (this “Option”) to purchase up to the total number of shares of Common Stock of the Company set forth above (collectively, the “Shares”) at the exercise price per share set forth above (the “Exercise Price”), subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Grant and the Company’s 1998 Directors Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”). Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.

2.  Exercise and Vesting of Option.    Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Grant, this Option shall become exercisable as it vests. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Grant, this Option shall vest as to six and twenty-five one-hundredths percent (6.25%) of the Shares on each three-month anniversary of the Date of Grant so long as the Optionee continuously remains a member of the Board of Directors (a “Board Member”) [OPTIONAL, IF PERMITTED BY THE COMMITTEE: OR A CONSULTANT OF THE COMPANY].

3.  Restriction On Exercise.    This Option may not be exercised unless such exercise is in compliance with the Securities Act, and all applicable state securities laws, as they are in effect on the date of exercise, and the requirements of any stock exchange or national market system on which VeriSign, Inc. Directors Stock Option Grant—Initial Grant the Company’s Common Stock may be listed at the time of exercise. Optionee understands that the Company is under no obligation to register, qualify or list the Shares with the SEC, any state securities commission or any stock exchange or national market system to effect such compliance.

4.  Termination Of Option.    Except as provided below in this Section, this Option shall terminate and may not be exercised if Optionee ceases to be a Board Member [OPTIONAL, IF PERMITTED BY THE COMMITTEE: OR CONSULTANT OF THE COMPANY]. The date on which Optionee ceases to be a Board Member [OPTIONAL, IF PERMITTED BY THE COMMITTEE: OR A CONSULTANT OF THE COMPANY] shall be referred to as the “Termination Date.”

4.1  Termination Generally.    If Optionee ceases to be a Board Member, [OPTIONAL, IF PERMITTED BY THE COMMITTEE: OR A CONSULTANT OF THE COMPANY] for any reason except death or disability, then this Option, to the extent (and only to the extent) that it would have been exercisable by Optionee on the Termination Date, may be exercised by Optionee within seven (7) months after the Termination Date, but in no event later than the Expiration Date.

4.2  Death or Disability.    If Optionee ceases to be a Board Member [OPTIONAL, IF PERMITTED BY THE COMMITTEE: OR A CONSULTANT OF THE COMPANY] because of the death of Optionee or the

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disability of Optionee, then this Option, to the extent (and only to the extent) that it would have been exercisable by Optionee on the Termination Date, may be exercised by Optionee (or Optionee’s legal representative) within twelve (12) months after the Termination Date, but in no event later than the Expiration Date.