Facebook lets you change your date of birth, but the process depends on how old your account says you are

You can change your date of birth on Facebook through your settings, but Facebook restricts how often you can make the change and what you can change it to. If your account currently shows you as under 18, you have fewer options than an adult account. The exact steps and waiting periods depend on your age category and when you last changed this information.

Facebook treats date of birth as a sensitive piece of account information because it controls what features you can use, what ads you see, and how your profile appears to others. That's why the platform limits how frequently you can edit it.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your date of birth in Facebook Settings under Personal Information, but you can only change it once every 60 days.
  • If your account currently shows you as under 18, you cannot change your birth year to make yourself appear older until you actually turn 18.
  • If your account shows you as 18 or older, you can change your date of birth to any date, but you still must wait 60 days between changes.
  • Facebook does not ask for proof of your real date of birth, so the change takes effect when ready once you save it.
  • If you cannot remember your birth date or need to change it before 60 days have passed, you will need to contact Facebook through their Help Center.

Steps to change your date of birth on Facebook

Open Facebook and go to the menu icon (three horizontal lines on mobile, or the downward arrow on desktop in the top right). Select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal information. You will see a section labeled Date of birth.

Click the pencil icon next to your current date of birth. A box will appear where you can edit the month, day, and year. Change the information to what you want it to be, then click Save changes. Facebook will confirm the change and show you when you can change it again (typically 60 days from that moment).

The change takes effect when ready. Your new date of birth will control what birthday reminders your friends see, what age-restricted features you can access, and what ads Facebook shows you.

Why Facebook limits how often you can change your birth date

Facebook restricts birth date changes to prevent people from repeatedly altering their age to bypass age restrictions on features like dating apps, certain games, or alcohol-related content. The 60-day waiting period is a standard safeguard across most social platforms.

If you are under 18 on your account, Facebook will not let you change your birth year to a date that would make you 18 or older. You have to wait until your actual birthday arrives and your account automatically updates. This is one of the few restrictions Facebook enforces without requiring you to submit proof.

What to do if you cannot change your birth date

If you see a message saying you cannot change your birth date yet, you have likely already made a change within the last 60 days. Facebook will tell you the exact date you can change it again. Mark that date on your calendar and return then.

If you are under 18 and trying to change your birth year to make yourself older, you will not be able to do so until you actually turn 18. On your 18th birthday, your account will automatically update, and then you can make manual changes if needed.

If you forgot your birth date entirely or believe there is an error on your account that you cannot fix yourself, go to the Facebook Help Center and select Report a problem. Describe what happened and Facebook's support team will review your request. Response times vary, but Facebook typically replies within a few days to a week.

How your birth date affects your Facebook experience

Your birth date controls several things on Facebook. It determines which features are available to you—for example, only accounts showing age 18 or older can use Facebook Dating or see certain types of ads. It also affects your privacy settings; accounts under 18 have more restricted default privacy settings than adult accounts.

Your birthday is visible to your friends unless you change your privacy settings. Go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information and click the eye icon next to Date of birth to choose who can see it. You can make it visible to friends only, visible to everyone, or hidden entirely.

Changing your birth date on mobile versus desktop

The process is nearly identical on mobile and desktop, but the menu locations are slightly different. On mobile, tap the menu icon (three lines) at the bottom right of the screen, then scroll down and tap Settings and privacy. On desktop, click the downward arrow in the top right corner and select Settings and privacy.

After that, both versions follow the same path: Settings > Personal information > pencil icon next to Date of birth. Mobile screens are smaller, so the date picker may look different, but the function is the same.

What happens if Facebook suspects your birth date is false

Facebook does not verify birth dates by asking for ID or other proof. However, if your account shows a birth date that would make you very old (over 110 years old, for example) or if you change it repeatedly in ways that seem suspicious, Facebook's automated systems may flag your account for review.

If Facebook suspects fraud, they may temporarily restrict certain features or ask you to confirm your identity. In most cases, this is resolved quickly once you respond. If you have a legitimate reason for your birth date (you genuinely made a mistake when you created your account, for example), explain that when Facebook contacts you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my birth date more than once every 60 days?

No. Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between changes. If you need to change it sooner due to an error, contact Facebook's Help Center and explain the situation. They may override the restriction, but there is no may provide.

Will my friends be notified if I change my birth date?

Your friends will not receive a notification that you changed your birth date. However, if you change the date significantly, they may notice if they see your birthday reminder change or if your age appears different on your profile.

What if I was born on February 29 and Facebook won't let me enter that date?

Facebook's system should accept February 29 as a valid birth date. If it does not, try entering it as February 28 or March 1 instead, or contact Facebook's Help Center to report the issue. This is a known glitch on some accounts.

Does changing my birth date affect my Facebook memories or old posts?

No. Changing your birth date does not alter any of your past posts, photos, or memories. It only affects how your age appears going forward and what features are available to you.

Can I hide my birth date from everyone on Facebook?

Yes. Go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information, click the eye icon next to Date of birth, and select Only me or Custom to hide it from everyone or show it to specific people only.