Effective Date: March 14, 2026
To comply with new industry-wide security standards, all Certificate Authorities (including our provider, GlobalSign) are now required to limit the lifespan of SSL certificates to a maximum of 200 days.
Because of this change, "1-Year" SSL products can no longer be issued as a single file. Instead, your 1-year purchase is delivered in two consecutive segments to ensure your site remains secure and compliant with modern browser requirements.
This article will cover the following:
How your 1-year SSL works
When you purchase a 1-year SSL, your order is automatically split into two parts:
Part 1: Issued immediately. Valid for the first 199 days.
Part 2: Issued mid-year via a free "Renewal." Valid for the remaining 199 days.
The 3-phase customer journey
| Phase | Timing | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Initial Purchase | Day 0 | Complete validation and install your certificate as usual. Note: The expiration date will show as ~6 months away. |
| 2. The Renewal Window | Day 169 – 199 | Mandatory: Log in to your SSL Manager and click "Renew" to claim the second half of your year. This is Free of Charge. |
| 3. Re-Validation & Install | Day 169+ | You must complete Domain Control Validation (DCV) again and install the new certificate file on your server. |
Critical: The "use it or lose it" window
There is a strict 30-day window to claim the second half of your prepaid year. This window opens 30 days before your first certificate expires and closes exactly on the expiration date.
Important: If you do not click "Renew" and complete validation before the first certificate expires, the remaining time is forfeited. You will be required to purchase a new certificate to restore security to your site.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my certificate expire in 6 months when I paid for a year?
Due to industry-wide security changes, browsers will no longer trust a single certificate issued for more than 200 days. To give you the full year of coverage you paid for, we split your order into two 6-month segments. You aren't paying more; you are simply "refreshing" the security halfway through.
I clicked "Renew," but my website still shows the old expiration date.
Clicking "Renew" generates your new certificate file, but it cannot automatically "push" that file to your server. You must download the new certificate from your account and install it on your web server—just like you did when you first purchased it.
Do I really have to validate my domain again?
Yes. Security regulations now require fresh validation for every new certificate issued. Since "Part 2" is technically a new certificate file, the system requires a quick re-validation (usually an email approval or DNS update) to ensure you still control the domain.
Troubleshooting reference
| Issue | Potential Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| "Renew" button is missing | It's too early or too late. | The button only appears 30 days before expiration and disappears on the expiration date. |
| Status is "Confirmation Processing" | Pending Validation. | Check your email for a GlobalSign verification link or ensure your DNS records are active. |
| Browser shows the old date | Installation skipped. | Check the "Issued On" date in your browser. If it's the original purchase date, the new file was never installed on your server. |
If you are experiencing issues or have any questions, please feel free to contact our support team at anytime.
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