Types of signatures

Indirect signature required - $5.90

FedEx will obtain a signature from someone at the delivery address or from somebody nearby, such as a neighbor or building manager. The recipient has the option to authorize the shipment to be released without anyone present. This change can be requested through FedEx Delivery Manager.


Adult signature required - $7.15

FedEx obtains a signature from someone at the delivery address who is at least the age of majority (no longer a minor) in the destination country. Government-issued photo identification or other identification customarily accepted by local authorities is required. If there is no eligible recipient at the address, FedEx may reattempt the delivery. For U.S. deliveries, the recipient must be 21 years of age and present government-issued photo identification.


Direct signature required - $5.90

Someone at the recipient’s address may sign for the delivery. Direct signature deliveries are made to the address on the mailing label, not to an individual recipient. If no one is at the address, FedEx may reattempt the delivery.


No signature required

There are many shipments FedEx delivers that do not require a signature from the recipient. In many cases, FedEx will still attempt to obtain a signature at the designated delivery address. If no one is available to sign, FedEx may leave the package in a safe place without obtaining a signature.



Delivery attempts

If a delivery attempt is made and no one is there to sign for the package, the driver will leave a door tag at the recipient’s door. The driver will typically try to deliver the package up to three times, but if a label has been applied to the back of the tag, the driver was unable to leave the package due to signature requirements or felt the package was not safe to deliver. In those situations, FedEx may no longer automatically reattempt delivery and the package will be taken to a nearby FedEx location to be held for you to pick up. 


The label on the door tag includes the pickup location address, business hours and time the package will be available. The door tag and a government-issued photo ID are needed for pickup. If you want FedEx to reattempt a delivery, call 1.800.463.3339.


To avoid missed deliveries, sign up for FedEx Delivery Manager to request to hold your package at a FedEx location for you to pick up. If you already missed a delivery and received a door tag, make sure to follow the instructions on the door tag to ensure your delivery is made on the next attempt. If your signature requires an indirect signature, then you can sign electronically through the FedEx Delivery Manager app or on fedex.com, but you cannot sign electronically for packages requiring an adult or direct signature. You must sign in person for adult or direct signature requirements. 


If you know you won't be home to sign

If you know in advance you won't be home to sign for your package, you can choose from one of the below options while using FedEx Delivery Manager: 


  • Redirect your package to be held at a FedEx location for up to 14 days and free of charge. 
  • Re-route your package to another location or schedule another delivery time. A fee will apply. 
  • Sign for the package electronically on your phone or computer if the signature required is an indirect signature. Electronic signatures cannot be used on deliveries that require an adult or direct signature.


Adjustments due to COVID-19

Quoted from FedEx.com: 

As we continue to support the global supply chain, we’re committed to keeping customers, team members and your packages safe. We will reinstate effective September 15, 2021 our physical signature requirements for paid, premium signature services and commercial deliveries* across the U.S. for the following signature types:


•    Adult Signature Required (ASR)

•    Direct Signature Required (DSR)

•    Indirect Signature Required (ISR)


The reinstatement of signature requirements applies to shipments delivered by FedEx Express®, FedEx Ground®, FedEx Home Delivery®, FedEx Freight®**, FedEx Office® and FedEx OnSite locations.


*If a signature service option is not selected by the shipper, and the recipient at a commercial delivery location refuses to sign for a shipment, the driver may enter the recipient’s first initial and last name and write “C-19” in place of the recipient’s signature.


**If the recipient at a commercial or residential delivery location refuses to sign for a FedEx Freight shipment, the driver may enter the recipient’s first initial and last name and write “C-19” in place of the recipient’s signature.


More information: FedEx.com, FedEx Surcharge Pricing, Sign Up for FedEx Delivery Manager