DSC Basics
How to Check Your DSC Expiry Date and Validity (2026)
Published October 9, 2026 · By DSCKart
An expired Digital Signature Certificate stops working without warning on most portals. This guide shows where to find your expiry date and what to do next.
How do you check your DSC expiry date?
Plug in your USB token and open the certificate details; the "Valid from" and "Valid to" dates show the certificate's validity. The "Valid to" date is when it expires.
There are three common places to look:
- The token manager or client utility that came with your token. It lists the certificates stored on the token with their details.
- Windows certificate viewer. With the token inserted and its driver installed, certificates can usually be viewed from the Windows certificate options (for example, Internet Options, Content, Certificates). Exact menus vary by Windows version and token software.
- A document you have already signed. Opening the signature in a PDF reader typically shows the signer certificate and its validity dates.
If the token is not detected at all, see our guide to common DSC errors and fixes.
How long is a DSC valid?
Validity depends on the plan chosen at purchase, commonly one, two or three years. The exact start and end dates are part of the certificate.
Validity counts from the issue date, not from the day you first used the token. Note that Class 1 and Class 2 certificates are no longer issued, so current certificates are Class 3.
What happens when a DSC expires?
You can no longer sign or log in with it. Portals and signing software reject an expired certificate, and it cannot be extended; a new certificate must be issued through renewal.
Whether older signatures remain acceptable depends on the document and the verifier, so confirm with the receiving authority when it matters.
When should you renew?
Renew before the expiry date, ideally weeks ahead of any filing deadline. Leaving it to the last day risks a missed due date if verification or token issues arise.
Read the full DSC renewal guide. Renewals now use FIPS 140-3 tokens, so check that page before you order.
What should you do after renewing?
Register the new certificate on every portal where you use a DSC. A renewed DSC is a new certificate, so existing registrations may no longer match it.
- Check the new certificate's name, PAN and validity dates.
- Update the registration on GST, MCA, Income Tax, DGFT or any other portal you file on.
- Keep a note of the new expiry date.
Step-by-step help: register your DSC across multiple government portals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check when my DSC expires?
Insert the token and open its certificate details using the token's manager utility, or view the certificate in Windows. The 'Valid to' date is the expiry date.
Can I still sign with an expired DSC?
No. Portals and signing software reject an expired certificate. You need to renew it, which issues a new certificate.
Does an expired DSC invalidate documents I signed earlier?
Not automatically. A signature is generally judged against the certificate's validity at the time of signing, but the rules depend on the document, the verifier and the portal. Ask the receiving authority if in doubt.
How long is a DSC valid?
Validity depends on the plan you purchased, commonly one, two or three years. The exact dates are printed in the certificate itself.
When should I renew my DSC?
Renew before the expiry date, ideally a few weeks ahead of any filing deadline, so a portal or token problem does not cause a missed due date.
Do I need to re-register my DSC on portals after renewal?
Usually yes. A renewed DSC is a new certificate, so register it again on each portal where you use it, such as GST, MCA, Income Tax or DGFT.
DSC expiring or already expired?
Renew online with Video KYC, or get a new Class 3 DSC.
General guidance only. Menu names in token software and Windows vary by version; confirm portal-specific rules on the relevant portal.