iPad mini Applecare

Not sure if this is the right place. My husband is buying me an iPad mini for my birthday, which is in January. We plan to buy on Friday if there is a reasonable deal, and also buy Applecare. Does the Applecare protection run from when we buy it or can we register it later when I will start to use the iPad. My guess would be it would run from the date of purchase. Am I correct?

Thanks for the replies. Oh well, it looks as though I might have to start using it as soon as we get it to make the most of the cover );