You can change your birth date in Facebook settings, but the process depends on whether you've changed it before

Facebook lets you edit your birth date through your profile settings. If you've never changed it, you can alter the month, day, and year freely. If you have changed it before, Facebook limits you to one change every 60 days — and if you've already made a recent change, you'll need to wait until that window closes before trying again.

The reason for this restriction is that Facebook uses your birth date to verify your identity and prevent account takeovers. A person who gains unauthorized access to your account could change your age to lock you out, so the company built in this cooling-off period as a security measure.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your birth date by going to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Date of Birth.
  • If you've never changed your birth date on this account, you can edit it without restrictions.
  • If you've already changed your birth date once, you must wait 60 days before making another change.
  • Facebook will not let you change your birth date if you are under 18 and your account is set to a restricted age range — you'll need to contact Facebook support instead.
  • Your birth date affects which ads you see and which groups and events you can join, so accuracy matters for your experience.

How to access your birth date settings on desktop

Open Facebook and look for the downward-pointing arrow or three horizontal lines in the top right corner of your screen. Click it and select Settings and Privacy, then click Settings. On the left side of the screen, you'll see a menu — click Personal Information.

You'll now see a section labeled Date of Birth. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit. Facebook will show you three dropdown menus for month, day, and year. Select your correct birth date and click Save Changes. The page will refresh and show your updated information.

How to change your birth date on mobile

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu icon) in the bottom right corner on iPhone or the top right on Android. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings. Tap Personal Information and then tap Date of Birth.

The app will open a screen with three fields for month, day, and year. Tap each field and use the picker wheels to select your birth date, then tap Save. Your phone will return to the previous screen and your new date will appear.

What happens if you've already changed your birth date recently

If you changed your birth date within the last 60 days, Facebook will not let you change it again. When you try to edit it, you'll see a message saying something like "You can change your date of birth again on [specific date]." That date is 60 days after your last change.

This waiting period applies even if you made a mistake or entered the wrong date. The only way around it is to contact Facebook support through the Help Center and explain that you entered incorrect information. Facebook support can sometimes override the 60-day limit if you provide a clear reason, though response times vary and there's no may provide they will approve your request.

If your account is restricted because of your age

Some Facebook accounts are flagged as belonging to someone under 18. If your account has this restriction, you may not be able to change your birth date yourself through settings. Instead, you'll see a message directing you to contact Facebook support.

To contact support, go to the Help Center (look for the question mark icon at the top of Facebook), search for "change date of birth," and click the option to contact support. You'll need to provide your name, email, and a photo ID that matches your account name. Facebook will review your request and either approve the change or ask for more information. This process can take several days.

Why your birth date matters on Facebook

Your birth date controls which ads you see — Facebook won't show alcohol or gambling ads to accounts under 21, for example. It also determines which groups and events you can join. Some groups restrict membership to people over a certain age, and some events (like concerts or clubs) have age requirements that Facebook enforces based on your profile.

Your birth date is also used to send you birthday notifications and let your friends know when your birthday is coming up. If you've entered an incorrect date, you may get birthday wishes on the wrong day or miss out on birthday-specific features.

What to do if you can't change your birth date

If you see an error message when trying to change your birth date, the most common reasons are: you've already made a change in the last 60 days, your account is age-restricted, or there's a temporary technical issue. Try again in a few minutes — if the problem persists, clear your browser cache and cookies, then try again.

If you still can't change it, go to the Facebook Help Center and search for "change date of birth." Click the option that says you're having trouble changing your date of birth, and follow the prompts to contact support. Have your email address and a description of the error message ready. Support typically responds within 24 to 48 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hide my birth date from other people on Facebook?

Yes. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Date of Birth. Click the privacy icon (it looks like a lock or globe) next to your date and change it from Public to Friends Only or Only Me. This hides your birth date from people viewing your profile, though Facebook still uses it internally.

What if I entered my birth date wrong when I created my account?

You can change it the same way as any other birth date change — through Settings and Personal Information. If you've never changed it before, there's no waiting period. If you have changed it, you'll need to wait 60 days from your last change.

Does changing my birth date affect my account security?

No, changing your own birth date is safe. The 60-day limit exists to protect you if someone else gains access to your account — it prevents them from quickly changing your age to lock you out. Always use a strong password and enable two-factor authentication to keep your account find.

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

No. Your friends won't see a notification that you changed your birth date. If you change the date to a different day, your birthday won't appear on their birthday calendar until that new date arrives.

Can I change my birth date if my account is under someone else's name?

No. If your account is registered under a different name than your legal name, Facebook may require you to change the account name first before allowing birth date changes. You can change your name through Settings and Personal Information, though Facebook limits name changes to once every 60 days as well.