As of March 15th 2026 the maximum validity of a certificate is 199 days and a reissue is required to activate the remaining time.
Why Are SSL Certificates Being Renewed More Frequently?
If you’ve noticed that SSL certificates (the security behind the padlock in your browser) are being renewed more often than before, you’re not alone. This is part of a wider shift across the internet to improve security and maintain trust in websites.
What’s Changed?
In the past, SSL certificates could be issued for longer periods. However, industry standards have evolved, and certificate lifespans have been reduced.
Today, the maximum term for a certificate is significantly shorter. Although certificates are still often purchased on an annual basis, they are now issued in smaller time segments across the year.
Why Has This Happened?
The key reason is security and accuracy.
SSL certificates contain important information about a website—such as who owns it and which domain it applies to. Over time, these details can change. By shortening the lifespan of certificates, this information is checked and validated more frequently.
Benefits?
Reduces the risk of outdated or incorrect information
Improves overall trust in secure websites
Aligns with modern security standards adopted across the web
What Does This Mean in Practice?
For most businesses, there is no visible change.
Your website will continue to function exactly as before, and visitors will still see the familiar padlock icon in their browser. The difference is simply that certificates are renewed more regularly behind the scenes.
Do You Need to Do Anything?
In most cases—no.
If your website is managed under a hosting or maintenance arrangement, certificate renewals are handled automatically. The process is seamless and designed to avoid any disruption.
Why This Is a Good Thing
While it may seem like an administrative change, shorter certificate lifecycles are ultimately beneficial. They ensure that your website’s security credentials remain accurate, up to date, and aligned with current best practices.
In short, it’s part of keeping your website—and your customers—safe.
We first wrote about the importance of SSL certificates on 15th December 2017