You can change your birth date in Facebook's settings, but the platform limits how often you can do it

To change your date of birth on Facebook, go to your profile, click the three-line menu icon, select Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Scroll down to Personal Information and click on your birth date. You can edit the month, day, and year there. Facebook lets you change this information, but it restricts how frequently you can make changes — typically once every 60 days, though this window can vary.

The reason for this limit is that Facebook uses your birth date to verify your identity and prevent account takeovers. If someone gains unauthorized access to your account, they would need to wait the full period before changing this information again, which gives you time to regain control.

Your birth date visibility is separate from the ability to change it. Even after you update the date, you control who sees it through your privacy settings. You can make it visible to everyone, friends only, or completely hidden.

Key Takeaways

  • Access your birth date through Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information on your profile.
  • Facebook enforces a waiting period between changes, usually around 60 days, to protect your account from unauthorized access.
  • You can hide your birth date from your profile entirely, or limit visibility to friends only, through the same privacy settings.
  • If you cannot change your date because of the waiting period, you will see a message telling you when you can make the next change.
  • Changing your birth date does not affect your account's age or any restrictions tied to your original signup date.

Why Facebook limits how often you can change this information

The 60-day restriction exists because your birth date is one of the pieces of information Facebook uses to confirm you are the real account owner. If your account is compromised, a waiting period prevents an attacker from immediately locking you out by changing core identity details.

This same protection applies to other sensitive information like your email address and phone number. Facebook treats these as security checkpoints rather than simple profile details.

What to do if you cannot change your birth date right now

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. The message will tell you the exact date when you can make another change. You will need to wait until that date arrives — there is no way to bypass this restriction.

If you believe your birth date was changed without your permission, that is a sign your account may have been compromised. In that case, change your password immediately, review your login activity, and consider enabling two-factor authentication to prevent future unauthorized access.

Controlling who sees your birth date

Your birth date can be set to different privacy levels independent of whether you change it. In the same Personal Information section where you edit the date, you will see a privacy icon next to your birth date — it usually looks like a globe, a group of people, or a lock.

Click that icon to choose who can see your birth date: Public (everyone), Friends, or Only Me (hidden from your profile entirely). Many people choose to hide their birth date completely to reduce the amount of personal information visible on their profile.

If you hide your birth date, Facebook will still know it for account verification purposes — you are only controlling who sees it on your profile page.

If your birth date is locked or you cannot edit it

In rare cases, Facebook may lock your birth date if the platform detects suspicious activity on your account or if you have reported your account as compromised. If you cannot click on your birth date to edit it, your account may be under review.

If this happens, check your email for messages from Facebook. The platform usually sends a notification explaining why the restriction is in place and how long it will last. If you do not see an email, try logging out completely, waiting a few hours, and logging back in.

If the problem persists, you can report it through Facebook's Help Center. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Help, then Report a Problem. Describe that you cannot edit your birth date and include any error messages you see.

Birth date changes and account age restrictions

Changing your birth date on Facebook does not change when your account was created or affect any age-based restrictions tied to your original signup. If your account is under 18 years old according to Facebook's records, certain features like creating a business page remain restricted even if you update your birth date to show you are older.

Similarly, if you created your account as a minor and have since turned 18, updating your birth date will not automatically unlock age-restricted features. You may need to wait until Facebook's systems recognize the change, which can take a few days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my birth date more than once?

Yes, but only once every 60 days. After you make a change, Facebook will not let you change it again until the 60-day window closes. The exact date when you can make your next change appears in a message when you try to edit your birth date during the restricted period.

What happens if I put in the wrong birth date by accident?

You will have to wait 60 days from when you made that change before you can correct it. If the wrong date is recent and you need to fix it immediately, contact Facebook through the Help Center to explain the situation, though there is no may provide they will override the restriction.

Does hiding my birth date affect my account security?

No. Hiding your birth date from your profile does not change how Facebook uses it internally for account verification and security. It only controls who can see it when they visit your profile page.

Can someone else change my birth date if they have my password?

Yes, which is why changing your password immediately is important if you suspect unauthorized access. If your birth date was changed without your permission, enable two-factor authentication right away to prevent further changes.

Why does Facebook need my birth date at all?

Facebook uses your birth date to verify your identity, enforce age-based restrictions on features, and prevent minors from accessing certain tools. It is also used to send you birthday notifications and reminders, though you can turn those off in your notification settings.