You can edit your age in Facebook settings, but Facebook limits how often you can change it

To change your age on Facebook, go to your profile, select "Edit profile," find the birth date field, and update it. Facebook allows you to change your birth date, but the platform restricts how frequently you can make changes — you can typically edit it once every 60 days. If you need to change it more often than that, you may have to wait or contact Facebook support.

The reason for this limit is that Facebook uses your birth date for account security and age-gating (keeping certain content away from younger users). Frequent changes can trigger a review, and Facebook may ask you to verify your identity with a government ID if the change seems suspicious.

Key Takeaways

  • Edit your birth date by going to your profile, clicking "Edit profile," and updating the birth date field directly.
  • Facebook restricts birth date changes to once every 60 days to prevent account misuse and fraud.
  • If you cannot change your age because of the waiting period, you will need to wait until the 60 days have passed.
  • Changing your age to under 18 may restrict features like Messenger, dating tools, and certain ad targeting options.
  • If Facebook asks for ID verification after a change, provide a government-issued ID that matches the birth date you entered.

Step-by-step: How to edit your birth date on Facebook

Open Facebook and go to your profile by clicking your name or profile picture. On your profile, look for the "Edit profile" button (usually near your cover photo). Click it to enter edit mode.

Scroll down to find the "Basic information" or "Personal information" section. You should see a field labeled "Birth date" or "Date of birth." Click on it and select your new birth date using the dropdown menus for month, day, and year. After you enter the new date, click "Save changes" or "Done" to confirm.

If you see a message saying you cannot change your birth date yet, it means you have already made a change within the last 60 days. You will need to wait until that period passes before you can edit it again.

What happens when you change your age to under 18

If you change your birth date to make yourself under 18, Facebook will automatically restrict certain features. Messenger may limit who can contact you, dating features will disappear, and some ad targeting options will change. These restrictions exist because Facebook has different rules for minors under U.S. law (COPPA — the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act).

Changing your age to under 13 will cause more significant restrictions. Facebook may limit your ability to use certain features altogether, and you may be asked to verify your identity. If Facebook determines you are actually under 13, it may disable your account, since the platform's terms of service require users to be at least 13 years old.

Why Facebook asks for ID verification after a birth date change

When you change your birth date, especially if the change is large or happens frequently, Facebook's automated systems may flag the change as unusual. This is a fraud-prevention measure — people sometimes change their age to hide their real identity or to bypass account restrictions.

If Facebook asks you to verify your identity, you will need to upload a photo of a government-issued ID (passport, driver's license, or state ID). The ID must show a birth date that matches the one you just entered. Facebook uses this to confirm you are who you say you are and that the birth date is accurate.

What to do if you cannot change your age because of the 60-day limit

If you see a message that you cannot change your birth date yet, you are within the 60-day waiting period from your last change. The only way forward is to wait until that period expires. Facebook does not offer a way to bypass this limit through support.

If you believe the date shown is wrong or you are locked out unfairly, you can contact Facebook support through the Help Center. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Help Center, search for "birth date," and look for the option to report a problem. Explain your situation, and a support agent may review your case, though response times vary.

Privacy considerations: Who can see your birth date on Facebook

Your birth date visibility depends on your privacy settings. By default, only you and your friends can see your full birth date. You can control this by going to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, and adjusting the privacy level for "Birth date."

Consider keeping your birth date visible only to close friends or yourself. Your birth date is sensitive information — it can be used for identity theft or to answer security questions on other accounts. Even if you trust Facebook's security, limiting who sees it reduces the risk if your account is hacked.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between birth date changes. If you try to change it before that period ends, you will see an error message. You must wait until the full 60 days have passed since your last change.

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

You can still edit it using the same steps — go to your profile, click "Edit profile," and update the birth date field. The 60-day limit applies to all changes, including corrections. If you need to change it when ready, contact Facebook support and explain the error.

Will changing my age affect my friends or my messages?

Changing your age will not delete your messages or unfriend people. However, if you change your age to under 18, some messaging features may be restricted, and dating features will be removed. Your friends will not be notified of the change unless they check your profile.

What if Facebook asks for ID and I do not have a government ID?

If you cannot provide a government-issued ID, contact Facebook support and explain your situation. They may ask for alternative documents or may require you to wait before making further changes. Response times vary, and there is no may provide they will approve your request without ID.

Can I hide my birth date from everyone on Facebook?

Yes. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information. Find "Birth date" and change the privacy setting to "Only me." This hides your birth date from everyone except Facebook itself, which uses it for account security and age-gating.