Facebook lets you change your birth date in your account settings, but the platform restricts how often you can do it and what you can change it to

You can update your birth date through Facebook's settings on a computer or phone. The process takes a few minutes. However, Facebook has rules about how many times you can change it and whether you can lower your age — these rules exist because the platform uses age to enforce its minimum age requirement of 13 and to control what content you see.

If you made an error when you first created your account, or your age is now incorrect in your profile, you can fix it yourself. If Facebook locked your account because of an age issue, or if you cannot change your age through normal settings, the path forward is different and usually involves contacting Facebook support.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your birth date by going to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Date of Birth on a computer or phone.
  • Facebook allows you to change your age once every 60 days, and you cannot lower your age below what you previously entered unless you contact support.
  • If your account was disabled because Facebook thinks you are under 13, you will need to submit a government ID or birth certificate to Facebook to restore access.
  • Changing your age affects what ads you see, what groups you can join, and whether certain features are available to you.

How to change your birth date on a computer

Open Facebook and click the downward arrow in the top right corner. Select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal Information. You will see a section labeled Date of Birth with your current birth date displayed.

Click on the date field. A calendar picker will appear. Select your birth month, day, and year. Click Save Changes or Confirm, depending on what Facebook shows you. The change takes effect immediately. If Facebook tells you that you cannot change your date of birth right now, it means you have already changed it within the last 60 days — you will have to wait until that window closes.

How to change your birth date on a phone

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Tap Personal Information. Find Date of Birth and tap it.

A date picker will appear. Select your birth month, day, and year. Tap Save or Confirm. The change takes effect right away. If you see a message saying you cannot change your date of birth, you have already made a change in the past 60 days and must wait before trying again.

Why Facebook limits how often you can change your age

Facebook restricts age changes to once every 60 days because the platform uses your birth date to enforce its policy that users must be at least 13 years old. The company also uses age to determine which ads you see, which groups you can join, and whether you can use certain features like Facebook Dating or Marketplace in some regions.

The 60-day waiting period is designed to prevent people from repeatedly changing their age to evade these restrictions. If you change your age and then immediately try to change it back, Facebook will block the second change until two months have passed.

What to do if you cannot lower your age

Facebook does not allow you to lower your age through the settings menu. If you entered an age that is too high when you created your account, and you now want to correct it to your real age, you cannot do so by yourself through settings.

To lower your age, you will need to contact Facebook support. Go to the Help Center, search for "change date of birth," and look for the option to report a problem or contact support. Facebook will ask you to submit a government-issued ID, passport, or birth certificate that shows your correct birth date. The review process can take several days to a few weeks. Facebook uses this verification step to prevent people from lowering their age to bypass the 13-year-old minimum.

What happens if Facebook disables your account over age

If Facebook disabled your account and told you it was because you appear to be under 13, you will see a message when you try to log in. Facebook does this when the platform's systems detect that your profile information, activity, or reported age suggests you do not meet the minimum age requirement.

To restore your account, you must submit proof of your age to Facebook. Go to the message on your login screen and look for a link to submit an appeal or upload documents. You will need to provide a government ID, passport, or birth certificate. Upload a clear photo or scan of the document. Facebook will review it and either restore your account or send you a message explaining why they cannot.

This process usually takes one to three weeks. During that time, you cannot access your account. If Facebook ultimately determines that you are under 13, they will permanently delete your account — Facebook's terms of service do not allow accounts for users under 13.

How changing your age affects your account

When you change your birth date, Facebook updates several things on your account. The age range you fall into determines which ads you see — advertisers can target people by age bracket, and changing your age changes which ads are shown to you. Some groups and events have age restrictions, so changing your age may make you ineligible to join certain groups or attend certain events.

Features like Facebook Dating, Marketplace, and certain games may become available or unavailable depending on your new age. Your birthday will also change on your profile, which means your friends will see a different birthday notification if you change the day or month. The year change is less visible to others unless they look at your full profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my age more than once every 60 days?

No. Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between age changes. If you try to change your age before that window closes, you will see a message telling you when you can change it again. You cannot bypass this limit through settings or support.

What if I entered the wrong year when I created my account?

If you entered a year that is too high (making you older than you actually are), you can change it yourself through settings right away. If you entered a year that is too low (making you younger than you actually are), you cannot lower it through settings — you must contact Facebook support with a government ID or birth certificate.

Will my friends see my new age?

Your birthday is visible on your profile, so if you change the month or day, your friends may see the new birthday notification. If you change only the year, the change is less obvious unless someone views your full profile details. You can control who sees your birthday by adjusting your privacy settings for that field.

What happens if I do not have a government ID to prove my age?

If Facebook asks for proof of age and you do not have a government ID, you can try submitting a birth certificate, school records, or other official documents that show your birth date. Facebook's support team will review what you submit and decide whether it is acceptable. If you cannot provide any official documentation, Facebook may not be able to restore your account.

Can I change my age if my account is restricted or limited?

If your account is restricted for other reasons (like violating community standards), you can still change your age through settings as long as your account is not completely disabled. If your account is disabled, you will need to resolve the underlying issue with Facebook support before you can make any changes to your profile.