Can I Use an Unused SSL Certificate Anytime I Want?

A certificate takes effect upon issuance. The certificate issuance time refers to the time when the certificate is officially issued by the CA.

If an additional domain name is added for a multi-domain certificate, the certificate validity period starts from the date when the certificate is issued for the first time.

Check whether the certificate is available.

• If you have purchased a certificate but have not applied for the certificate and the certificate has not been issued:

  The certificate can be used.

  The validity period of a certificate starts from the date when the certificate is issued. Therefore, you can use the certificate after applying for it. For details about how to apply for a certificate, see Submitting an SSL Certificate Application to the CA.

• If you have purchased a certificate that has been issued and is still within the validity period:

  The certificate can be used within the validity period.

• If you have purchased a certificate and the certificate is issued, but it expires:

  The certificate cannot be used.