How long are police clearances valid?

[analon]

In starting to gather required documents to submit my spousal application, I began with gathering police clearance certificates as the first step.

I have lived in UK and USA previously and gave them each 10-12 weeks to revert back the needful.

However my USA clearance (expected to come in  another 8 weeks) arrived at my doorstep yesterday. Thus it is a full 2 months earlier than I thought it would come.

I was banking on the extra 2 months to fill forms, and do other needful things, but the early arrival of the USA clearance seems to have put a ticking clock on my personal deadlines. Does anyone know how long / old these clearances can be by the time I submit my sponsorship application kit?

[GK]

They shouldn't be older than 3 months by the time CIC Mississauge receives the application - but I understand that as long as they are rec'd within 6 months you're still good