You can change your birth year in Snapchat's account settings, but only if your account is less than 30 days old

Snapchat locks your birth date after 30 days to prevent fraud and protect younger users. If you entered the wrong birth year when you created your account and it has been fewer than 30 days, you can edit it yourself through Settings. If more than 30 days have passed, you will need to contact Snapchat support and provide proof of your identity.

The process takes about two minutes if you are within the 30-day window. After that window closes, the change requires human review and can take several business days.

Key Takeaways

  • You can only change your birth year yourself if your account is less than 30 days old; after that, Snapchat requires you to contact support.
  • To change it within 30 days, go to Settings, tap Username, scroll to Birthday, and enter the correct date.
  • If your account is older than 30 days, you will need to submit a support request with a photo of your ID that matches the birth year you want to set.
  • Snapchat may ask follow-up questions or request additional documents before approving a change on older accounts.

How to change your birth year if your account is under 30 days old

Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon in the top left corner. Then tap the gear icon to open Settings. Scroll down and tap Username. Below your username, you will see Birthday listed with the date you entered when you signed up.

Tap on the Birthday field. A date picker will appear. Use the scroll wheels to select the correct month, day, and year. Once you have entered the right date, tap the checkmark or confirm button to save. The change takes effect when ready.

If you do not see a Birthday field in your Settings, your account may already be older than 30 days, or your account type may not allow self-editing. In that case, move to the next section.

What to do if your account is older than 30 days

Once 30 days have passed since you created your account, Snapchat prevents you from editing your birth year yourself. Instead, you must contact Snapchat support through the app. Open Snapchat, tap your profile icon, tap the gear icon, and scroll to the bottom. Tap Support or Help.

Select the option for account or profile issues. Choose the reason that best matches your situation — usually "Account Information" or "Birthday." Snapchat will ask you to describe the problem. Write that you entered an incorrect birth year and need it corrected, and include the correct year.

Snapchat will ask you to upload a photo of your government-issued ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The ID must show your name and birth date clearly. Take the photo in good lighting and make sure all text is readable. Snapchat uses this to verify that you are the account owner and that the birth year you are requesting matches your actual identity.

Submit your request. Snapchat support typically responds within three to five business days, though it can take longer during high-volume periods. You will receive a notification in the app or an email once they have reviewed your request.

Common reasons your birth year change might be denied

Snapchat may reject your request if the ID you submitted does not match the birth year you are requesting. For example, if your ID shows you were born in 1995 but you asked to change your account to 1990, support will deny it. Make sure the year on your ID matches exactly what you are asking Snapchat to set.

If your ID is expired, blurry, or the birth date is not clearly visible, Snapchat may ask you to resubmit. Take a new photo in bright natural light, position the ID flat on a surface, and make sure the entire date of birth is in the frame.

If you have submitted multiple requests in a short time, Snapchat may flag your account for review and delay the response. Submit one request and wait for a response before submitting again.

Why Snapchat locks your birth date after 30 days

Snapchat enforces this 30-day window to prevent account takeovers and age fraud. If someone gains access to your account, they cannot easily change your birth year to hide their activity or impersonate you as a different age. The lock also protects minors by making it harder for bad actors to falsify their age on the platform.

The 30-day period gives you a reasonable window to correct honest mistakes without making the system too straightforward to abuse. After that, any change requires proof of identity, which slows down fraud but still allows legitimate account owners to make corrections.

What happens after your birth year is changed

Once Snapchat approves your request, your birth year updates in your account settings. This change does not affect your Snapchat username, friends list, or saved messages. Your account history remains the same.

Your new birth year may affect which features are available to you. For example, if you change your birth year to show you are under 18, Snapchat may restrict certain features or change your privacy settings to match Snapchat's rules for younger users. If you change it to show you are over 18, you may gain access to features that were previously locked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my birth year more than once?

Snapchat allows you to change your birth year multiple times if your account is under 30 days old. Once the 30-day window closes, you can still request a change through support, but each request requires ID verification and manual review. Snapchat may become suspicious if you request multiple changes in a short period.

What if I do not have a government ID to submit?

Snapchat requires a government-issued ID with your birth date visible. If you do not have a driver's license or passport, a state ID card, tribal ID, or military ID will work. If you genuinely cannot provide any form of ID, contact Snapchat support and explain your situation — they may offer alternative ways to verify your identity, though this is not may provide.

How long does it take Snapchat to respond to a birth year change request?

Most requests are reviewed within three to five business days. During busy periods or if Snapchat needs to ask follow-up questions, it can take up to two weeks. You will receive a notification in the app when your request has been reviewed.

Will changing my birth year affect my Snapchat score or streaks?

No. Changing your birth year does not affect your Snapchat score, streaks, or any messages or photos you have saved. It only updates the birth date stored in your account profile.

Can I change my birth year if my account was created by a parent or guardian?

If a parent or guardian created the account, they are listed as the account owner. You will need them to request the change, or you can contact Snapchat support and explain the situation. Snapchat may ask for consent from the account owner before making any changes.