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January 22, 2026
Does UPS Have Direct Signature Required? UPS vs FedEx Signature Options (2026)
No. UPS does not offer a service called Direct Signature Required. That is a FedEx option. UPS has two signature services: Signature Required at $7.70 per package and Adult Signature Required at $9.35 per package in 2026. UPS also sells Direct Delivery Only ($2.00), which sounds similar but does not require a signature.
Quick answer: If you were told a UPS package needs “direct signature,” it almost certainly has UPS Signature Required, where UPS obtains a signature at delivery. The FedEx service with that name works almost the same way: someone at the delivery address has to sign. Neither carrier’s standard signature option limits signing to the person named on the label.
Sources: UPS 2026 Rate and Service Guide; FedEx Service Guide, effective January 5, 2026.
UPS Signature and Delivery Options in 2026
| UPS option | What UPS does | 2026 fee |
|---|---|---|
| Signature Required | Obtains a signature at delivery. UPS may, at its discretion, accept an electronic authorization to release the package without one. | $7.70 per package |
| Adult Signature Required | Obtains a signature from a recipient at least 21 years old, with government-issued photo ID. | $9.35 per package |
| Direct Delivery Only | The package can’t be rerouted, redirected or delivered to another address, except at the shipper’s request. No signature is required and driver release is still allowed. | $2.00 per package |
Direct Delivery Only is the one UPS option with “direct” in the name, and it is often confused with a signature service. It controls where the package goes, not who signs for it.
How UPS Signature Charges Appear on Your Invoice
On a UPS invoice, Signature Required appears as “Delivery Confirmation Signature” on residential deliveries and “Delivery Confirmation Signature - Commercial” on business deliveries. You won’t see a “Direct Signature” line on a UPS invoice. See UPS Signature Required for more.
UPS vs. FedEx Signature Options
| What you need | UPS | FedEx |
|---|---|---|
| A signature, but a neighbor or a signed door tag is fine | No equivalent | Indirect Signature Required, $7.60 (residential only) |
| A signature from someone at the delivery address | Signature Required, $7.70 | Direct Signature Required, $7.60 |
| A signature from someone 21 or older with ID | Adult Signature Required, $9.35 | Adult Signature Required, $10.00 |
FedEx defines Direct Signature Required as a signature “from someone at the delivery address,” with another attempt if no one is there. It does not have to be the named recipient. For details and FedEx’s rules, see our FedEx signature options guide.
Which UPS Option Should a Shipper Use?
- You need proof someone received it: UPS Signature Required ($7.70) is the closest match to FedEx Direct Signature Required.
- The contents are age-restricted: use Adult Signature Required ($9.35), for example for alcohol.
- You don’t want the package rerouted: Direct Delivery Only ($2.00) stops reroutes and redirects, but it does not get you a signature.
- None of the above: skip the signature. At $7.70 a package, signatures on orders that don’t need them add up quickly, and fuel surcharge is charged on top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does UPS have Direct Signature Required?
No. Direct Signature Required is a FedEx service. UPS offers Signature Required ($7.70) and Adult Signature Required ($9.35) in 2026.
What is the UPS equivalent of FedEx Direct Signature Required?
UPS Signature Required. Both get a signature at the delivery address, and the prices are within 10 cents ($7.70 at UPS, $7.60 at FedEx).
What is UPS Direct Delivery Only?
A $2.00 per package option that stops the package from being rerouted, redirected or delivered to another address, except when the shipper asks. It does not require a signature, and the driver can still release the package without one.
Does the named recipient have to sign for a UPS signature package?
UPS’s rate guide describes Signature Required as obtaining a signature at delivery. It doesn’t limit signing to the person named on the label. Adult Signature Required adds an age check: the signer must be at least 21 with government-issued photo ID.
How much does a UPS signature cost in 2026?
$7.70 per package for Signature Required and $9.35 per package for Adult Signature Required, plus the fuel surcharge.
Related Reading
- Does UPS Require a Signature? Who Can Sign & the $7.70 Fee
- UPS Adult Signature Required: $9.35, Age & ID Rules
- FedEx Signature Options 2026
- UPS Delivery Intercept
- UPS 2026 Rate Increase: Complete Guide to Every Service and Surcharge Change
Get a free UPS invoice audit
D’arrigo Consulting audits UPS invoices line by line, including signature charges added to packages that didn’t need them. Request a free invoice audit to see what you can recover.
This article is for informational purposes only. Carrier rates, surcharges, and policies change frequently — always verify current terms directly with the carrier for your specific situation. Have questions? Reach out to us — we're happy to help.
Meet the Author
paul@darrigoconsulting.com
I’m Paul D’Arrigo. I’ve spent my career building, fixing, and scaling operations across eCommerce, fulfillment, logistics, and SaaS businesses, from early-stage companies to multi-million-dollar operators. I’ve been on both sides of growth: as a founder, an operator, and a fractional COO brought in when things get complex and execution starts to break
