You can change your age on Facebook, but the process depends on how old your account says you are and how long ago you set it
Facebook lets you edit your birth date in your profile settings. If you entered the wrong year when you created your account, you can fix it yourself in most cases. The catch: if you set your age a long time ago, Facebook may limit how often you can change it, or lock the change entirely if your account is very old or has been flagged for other reasons.
The steps are straightforward if Facebook allows the change. But if you hit a wall—if Facebook won't let you edit it, or if your account is restricted—you have a second path: you can request a manual review by Facebook's support team. That review takes longer and requires you to prove your real birth date with a document.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your birth date yourself through Settings > Personal Information > Birth Date on desktop or mobile, as long as Facebook has not locked the field.
- Facebook limits how often you can change your age—usually once every 60 days—to prevent misuse of accounts.
- If the birth date field is locked or grayed out, you will need to submit a government ID or other proof to Facebook's support team for a manual review.
- Changing your age may affect your account's visibility and who can contact you, depending on your privacy settings and Facebook's age-based rules.
- If your account is very old or has been flagged, Facebook may not allow any changes without a formal identity review.
How to change your age yourself through settings
Open Facebook on desktop or mobile and go to your profile. Click the three-line menu (mobile) or look for Settings in the top right (desktop). Select Settings and Privacy, then Settings. On the left sidebar, choose Personal Information.
You will see your birth date listed. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit. Change the month, day, or year as needed. Facebook will ask you to confirm the change. Once you save it, the new date takes effect when ready. Your age on your profile updates right away, though the change may take a few minutes to show across all Facebook services.
If the birth date field is grayed out or you do not see an edit option, Facebook has locked it. This usually means you have changed your age recently (within the last 60 days) or your account has triggered a security review. In that case, you will need to use the manual review process instead.
Why Facebook limits how often you can change your age
Facebook restricts age changes to prevent people from using fake ages to hide from others, evade account restrictions, or access features they should not have access to. The platform also uses age to determine what ads you see and what content is shown to you. Frequent changes look suspicious to Facebook's automated systems.
The standard waiting period is 60 days between changes. If you changed your age recently and want to change it again, you will have to wait until that window closes. Facebook does not tell you exactly when you can change it next—you will only find out when you try and the system either allows it or blocks it.
What to do if Facebook locks your birth date field
If you cannot edit your birth date yourself, go to the same Personal Information page and look for a link that says Request a Change or Need Help? near the birth date field. Click it. Facebook will ask you to upload a photo of a government-issued ID—a driver's license, passport, national ID card, or similar document.
Take a clear photo of the front of your ID so the birth date is readable. Upload it through Facebook's form. Do not include your full ID number or other sensitive details beyond what is needed to verify your birth date. Facebook's support team will review your submission, usually within a few days to a week.
If your ID matches the birth date you are requesting, Facebook will unlock the field and let you make the change. If there is a mismatch—if your ID shows a different birth date than what you submitted—Facebook may deny the request or ask you to clarify. If your account has been flagged for other violations, Facebook may also deny the request even if your ID is valid.
How changing your age affects your account and privacy
Your age controls what you see and what others can see. If you change from an age under 18 to 18 or older, your account may suddenly show you different ads and content. If you change from 18 or older to under 18, Facebook will restrict certain features—you will lose access to some ad targeting options, and your profile visibility may shift to match Facebook's rules for minors.
Changing your age also affects who can contact you. Facebook uses age to enforce its messaging rules: accounts under 18 cannot receive messages from people they are not connected to, while accounts 18 and older have fewer restrictions. If you change your age, these rules take effect when ready.
Your friends and followers do not see a notification that you changed your age. The change is private unless you have your birth date set to public on your profile. If your birth date is public, anyone who visits your profile will see the new age.
What happens if Facebook suspects your age is false
If you change your age multiple times in a short period, or if Facebook's systems flag your account for other reasons, your account may be put under review. During a review, you may not be able to change your age, and Facebook may ask you to verify your identity with a government ID before allowing any changes.
In rare cases, if Facebook believes you are using a false age to violate its terms of service—for example, if you are pretending to be an adult to access restricted features—the platform may disable your account or restrict your access to certain features. This is separate from the age-change process and usually happens only if there is evidence of deliberate misuse.
If your account is under review and you need to change your age, submit your ID through the manual review process. Be honest about your real birth date. Submitting false documents or conflicting information will make the review take longer and may result in account restrictions.
Changing your age on Facebook if you are under 18
If your account is registered to someone under 18, the same process applies—you can edit your birth date in Personal Information if the field is unlocked. However, Facebook has stricter rules for accounts registered to minors. You may not be able to change your age as freely as an adult account can.
If you are a parent or guardian trying to change a minor's age on their account, you will need access to that account's login information. You cannot change someone else's age from your own account. Log into their account, go to Settings > Personal Information, and follow the same steps. If the field is locked, you will need to submit an ID that matches the account holder's real birth date.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take Facebook to review my ID for an age change?
Facebook usually reviews ID submissions within a few days to a week. During busy periods or if there are issues with your submission—blurry photo, missing information, or mismatched details—it may take longer. You will receive a notification in your Facebook account once the review is complete.
Can I change my age back to what it was before?
Yes, but you have to wait 60 days between changes. If you changed your age and want to revert it, you will have to wait until the 60-day window closes. After that, you can change it back through the same Personal Information settings.
What if my government ID does not match the birth date I am requesting?
Facebook will deny your request if your ID shows a different birth date. You will need to submit the correct birth date that matches your ID, or contact Facebook's support team to explain the discrepancy. If there is a legitimate reason for the mismatch, Facebook may ask for additional documents.
Will my friends know I changed my age?
No, Facebook does not send a notification to your friends when you change your age. The change is private unless you have your birth date set to public on your profile. If it is public, anyone who visits your profile will see the updated age.
Can I change my age if my account has been disabled?
No. If your account is disabled, you cannot access any settings, including the birth date field. You will need to restore your account first through Facebook's account recovery process. Once your account is active again, you can change your age.