Why is my SSL certificate valid for only 6 months?
Customers may notice that newly issued SSL certificates now have a validity of around 6 months (~199 days) instead of the earlier 1-year period. This is expected and part of an industry-wide change.
What changed
The maximum validity of SSL/TLS certificates has been reduced as per new global standards set by the CA/Browser Forum.
- Earlier maximum validity: 398 days (~1 year)
- Current maximum validity (2026 onwards): ~199 days (~6 months)
All major Certificate Authorities, including DigiCert, have implemented this change.
Why are SSL certificates now shorter
This change improves overall internet security by:
- Allowing faster replacement of compromised certificates
- Ensuring more frequent validation of domain ownership
- Reducing risks from outdated or stale certificate data
Shorter certificate lifetimes help keep encryption standards current and trustworthy.
Does this affect your SSL Plan
No, your SSL plan validity has not changed.
If you purchased a 1-year or multi-year SSL certificate:
- Your plan remains valid for the full duration
- Your certificate will be reissued periodically (approximately every 6 months)
- There is no additional cost for reissuance
Important: This is a reissue, not a renewal. You are not required to repurchase your SSL.
Renewal vs Reissuance
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Renewal | Extending your SSL plan after it expires (paid action) |
| Reissuance | Replacing your certificate within your active plan (free, required due to shorter validity) |
What you need to do
To ensure uninterrupted SSL protection:
- Keep your domain validation method active (Email / DNS / HTTP)
- Allow timely reissuance when required
- Ensure your contact email addresses are valid and monitored
For most customers using managed hosting or automation, reissuance happens seamlessly.
Future changes
SSL certificate lifetimes will continue to decrease in phases:
- 2026 ? ~200 days
- 2027 ? ~100 days
- 2029 ? ~47 days
This shift emphasizes the importance of automation (e.g., auto-reissuance tools or ACME clients).
Need help
If you need assistance with SSL reissuance or validation methods, please contact our support team.
Summary
- 6-month SSL validity is normal and expected – This will progressively reduce further
- This is an industry-wide change
- Your SSL plan duration remains unchanged
- Certificates are reissued, not renewed, during the plan period