What is an SSL certificate?
An SSL certificate is a digital ID file for your website. It gives you the padlock and scrambles the data between visitors and your site. Like a passport, it has an end date.
What is the validity period?
The validity period is how long one certificate file works. Dates are written inside the file. After the end date, browsers show a warning that the site is not safe. For many years, the rules of the industry have been shortening this period. Certificate authorities, which are the companies that issue certificates, follow these rules. Check the length with your provider.
What is the subscription period?
The subscription period is how long you have paid for. It is the length of your plan with the seller. You might pay for a longer period but receive one certificate file at a time.
Why can they be different?
If a plan covers more time than one certificate can last, you must reissue the certificate within the plan. Reissuing means making a new certificate file. You then install the new file on your server. The seller does not always do this for you.
| Point | Validity period | Subscription period |
|---|---|---|
| What it measures | Life of one certificate file | Time you have paid for |
| Set by | Industry rules | Your plan with the seller |
| When it ends | The site shows a warning | You can no longer reissue |
What should you do?
- Find your certificate dates. Click the padlock in your browser, then look at the certificate details.
- Write the end date in your calendar. Add a reminder a few weeks before.
- Find your plan details in the client area, under Services, or ask support.
- When a certificate is near its end, reissue it and install the new one.
- When your subscription ends, renew the plan.
Not sure about your own dates? Open a support ticket.
Quick recap
- Validity is how long one certificate file works.
- Subscription is how long you have paid for.
- They can differ, so you may need to reissue.
- Track both dates and set reminders.