Facebook has become an integral part of our lives, and our birthdate is one of the most important pieces of information we provide to the platform. However, there may come a time when you need to change your birthdate on Facebook. Whether you made a mistake when you first created your account, or you simply want to update your information, changing your birthdate on Facebook is a relatively simple process.
Before you begin, it’s important to note that you can only change your birthdate on Facebook once. Once you have changed your birthdate, it will not be possible to change it back. Additionally, Facebook has certain restrictions on who can change their birthdate. If you are under the age of 13, you will not be able to change your birthdate. Additionally, if your account has been locked or disabled, you will not be able to change your birthdate.
If you meet the criteria above, you can begin the process of changing your birthdate on Facebook. To do so, simply follow these steps: 1) Log in to your Facebook account. 2) Click on the down arrow in the top right corner of the screen. 3) Select “Settings & Privacy.” 4) Click on “Settings.” 5) Click on “Personal Information.” 6) Click on “Edit” next to your birthdate. 7) Enter your new birthdate. 8) Click on “Save Changes.”
Accessing Facebook Settings
Facebook provides granular control over your account settings, including your birthdate. To access these settings:
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Click the Arrow in the Top Right
Locate the small arrow symbol in the top right corner of the Facebook homepage. This is located next to the Help icon. Click on this arrow to expand a drop-down menu.
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Select “Settings & Privacy”
Hover over the “Settings & Privacy” option in the drop-down menu. This will reveal another sub-menu.
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Choose “Settings”
Click on the “Settings” option in the sub-menu to access the main Facebook settings page.
You can also navigate to the settings page directly by clicking on the following URL: https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=account.
Once you are in the settings page, you can proceed to the next step of changing your birthdate.
Navigating to Personal Information
To access and edit your birthday information, follow these steps:
Step 1: Access Your Profile
Begin by clicking on your profile picture located in the top right corner of the Facebook homepage. This will open your profile page.
Step 2: Find the “About” Tab
Once on your profile page, look for the “About” tab located under your profile picture and cover photo. Click on it to access your personal information.
Step 3: Locate the “Birthday” Section
On the “About” page, scroll down to find the “Birthday” section. It will typically be located towards the top of the page and display your current birthday.
| Date | Month | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Select | Select | Select |
Step 4: Edit Your Birthday
To edit your birthday, click on the “Edit” button located to the right of your current birthday. This will open a small pop-up window where you can make the necessary changes. Use the drop-down menus to select your desired date, month, and year of birth.
Step 5: Save Your Changes
After making the changes to your birthday, click on the “Save” button located at the bottom of the pop-up window. Your birthday information will be updated and reflected on your profile.
Editing the Birthdate
To edit your birthdate on Facebook, follow these steps:
- Hover over your name in the top right corner of the Facebook window.
- Select "Settings & Privacy" from the drop-down menu.
- Click on "Settings."
- Select "Personal information" from the left-hand menu.
- Locate the "Basic information" section.
- Click on the pencil icon next to your birthdate.
- Edit your birthdate in the pop-up window.
- Click "Save Changes."
If you need to change your birthdate for any reason, follow these additional steps:
- Provide proof of your identity. You can do this by uploading a copy of your driver’s license, passport, or birth certificate.
- Explain why you need to change your birthdate. For example, you may have entered it incorrectly when you first created your account.
- Wait for Facebook to review your request. This process can take up to 24 hours.
- If your request is approved, your birthdate will be updated.
Here is a table summarizing the steps involved in editing your birthdate on Facebook:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Hover over your name in the top right corner of the Facebook window. |
| 2 | Select “Settings & Privacy” from the drop-down menu. |
| 3 | Click on “Settings.” |
| 4 | Select “Personal information” from the left-hand menu. |
| 5 | Locate the “Basic information” section. |
| 6 | Click on the pencil icon next to your birthdate. |
| 7 | Edit your birthdate in the pop-up window. |
| 8 | Click “Save Changes.” |
Saving the Changes
Once you have entered your new birthdate, click on the “Save Changes” button. Facebook will ask you to confirm your password for security purposes. Enter your password and click on the “Save Password” button.
Facebook will then process your request and save your new birthdate. You will see a confirmation message on your screen once the changes have been saved.
Additional Information
It is important to note that you can only change your birthdate on Facebook once every two years. If you try to change your birthdate more often than this, Facebook will not allow it.
Also, keep in mind that changing your birthdate on Facebook will not affect your actual birthdate. Your actual birthdate is the one that is recorded on your birth certificate.
| Reason for Changing Birthdate | Allowed Frequency |
|---|---|
| Incorrect birthdate entered initially | Once |
| Legal name change | Once |
| Other reasons (e.g., privacy concerns) | Once every two years |
Providing Proof of Identity
To change your birthdate on Facebook, you will need to provide proof of your identity. This can be done in one of the following ways:
1. **Government-issued ID:** This could be a passport, driver’s license, or national ID card. The ID must clearly show your name, birthdate, and photo.
2. **School ID:** This could be a student ID card or a transcript from your school. The ID must clearly show your name, birthdate, and photo.
3. **Birth certificate:** This is a document that proves your birth date and is issued by the government. You can obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate from the vital records office in your state or country of birth.
4. **Marriage certificate:** This is a document that proves your marriage date and is issued by the government. You can obtain a certified copy of your marriage certificate from the vital records office in the state or country where you were married.
5. **Utility bill:** This could be a bill for electricity, gas, or water. The bill must clearly show your name, address, and the date it was issued. The date issued must be within the last 6 months.
| Acceptable Proof of Identity | Required Information |
|---|---|
| Government-issued ID | Name, birthdate, photo |
| School ID | Name, birthdate, photo |
| Birth certificate | Birthdate, place of birth |
| Marriage certificate | Date of marriage, place of marriage |
| Utility bill | Name, address, date issued (within the last 6 months) |
Requesting a Birthdate Change
1. Submitting a Request
To initiate a birthdate change request, navigate to Facebook’s “Edit Profile” page. Locate the “About” section and click “Edit” next to your birthday. Enter your desired birthdate and click “Save Changes.”
2. Identity Verification
Facebook may require you to provide additional proof of identity to verify your birthdate. This may include uploading a government-issued ID, passport, or other acceptable documents.
3. Proof of Birthdate Error
If you have a legal or official document (e.g., birth certificate, marriage license) that proves your birthdate is incorrect, you must attach it to your request.
4. Explanation of the Error
Provide a brief explanation of how the birthdate error occurred. For instance, you may have entered it incorrectly or the birthday information was mistakenly recorded during account creation.
5. Changes and Delays
Once you submit your request, Facebook will review it and make the necessary changes. The process may take several days or even weeks, depending on the complexity of your case.
6. Additional Notes for Minors
If you are under the age of 18 and attempting to change your birthdate, Facebook has additional requirements. You must provide a notarized letter from a parent or legal guardian confirming that you are of age and consenting to the change.
| Required Information | Format |
|---|---|
| Child’s Full Name | As it appears in their legal documents |
| Child’s Old Birthdate | The incorrect birthdate currently on Facebook |
| Child’s New Birthdate | The correct birthdate you are requesting |
| Parent’s/Guardian’s Signature | In person before a notary public |
| Notary Public’s Seal | Original or certified copy |
Waiting for Facebook’s Review
Once you have submitted your birthday change request, Facebook will review it and send you an email notification when it’s complete. The review process can take anywhere from a few hours to several days, depending on the volume of requests they are processing. During this time, you will not be able to make any further changes to your birthdate. If you do not receive an email confirmation after several days, you can contact Facebook support for assistance.
| Waiting Period | Possible Reasons for Delay |
|---|---|
| A few hours to several days |
High volume of requests Additional verification required (e.g., ID upload) |
Conflicting Information
If the Facebook system detects conflicting information about your birthdate, such as multiple entries with different dates, it may prevent you from changing it. In this case, you’ll need to contact Facebook support and provide evidence to support your request. Acceptable forms of evidence include:
- A government-issued ID, such as a passport or driver’s license
- A birth certificate
- A school transcript
- A medical record
Note that Facebook will only accept evidence that clearly shows your full name and birthdate. Once you’ve gathered the necessary evidence, you can submit it to Facebook support using the following steps:
1. Go to the Facebook Help Center: https://www.facebook.com/help/
2. Click on “Report a Problem”
3. Select “Other” from the menu
4. In the description box, explain that you need to change your birthdate and provide the following information:
* Your full name
* Your current Facebook profile URL
* A scanned copy or photo of your evidence
5. Click “Send”
Facebook will review your request and respond to you within a few days. If your evidence is sufficient, they will change your birthdate according to your request.
Consequences of Birthdate Changes
Changing your birthdate on Facebook can have several consequences. Here are some of the most common:
1. Age Verification Changes
Your birthdate is used to verify your age on Facebook. If you change your birthdate, you may need to reverify your age through a government-issued ID
2. Event Restrictions
Some events on Facebook have age restrictions. If you change your birthdate to a younger age, you may not be able to RSVP to or attend certain events
3. Friend Requests Limitations
Facebook has rules about who you can send friend requests to. If you change your birthdate to a younger age, you may not be able to send friend requests to people who are older than you
4. Ads Targeting
Facebook uses your birthdate to target ads to you. If you change your birthdate, you may start seeing different ads
5. Privacy Concerns
Your birthdate is a piece of personal information. If you change your birthdate, it’s important to be aware of the privacy implications. For example, your new birthdate may be visible to people who you don’t want to see it
6. Account Recovery
Your birthdate is one of the pieces of information that you can use to recover your Facebook account. If you change your birthdate, it’s important to make sure that you update your recovery information
7. Chronological Ordering of Posts
Your birthdate is used to order your posts chronologically. If you change your birthdate, your posts may be reordered
8. Birthday Notifications
Your birthdate is used to send you birthday notifications. If you change your birthdate, you may not receive birthday notifications from your friends
9. Legal Implications
In some cases, changing your birthdate on Facebook may have legal implications. For example, if you change your birthdate to a younger age, you may be able to avoid certain legal responsibilities. It’s important to be aware of the legal implications of changing your birthdate before you do so
| Consequence | Description |
|---|---|
| Age Verification Changes | You may need to reverify your age through a government-issued ID |
| Event Restrictions | You may not be able to RSVP to or attend certain events |
| Friend Requests Limitations | You may not be able to send friend requests to people who are older than you |
| Ads Targeting | You may start seeing different ads |
| Privacy Concerns | Your new birthdate may be visible to people who you don’t want to see it |
| Account Recovery | It’s important to make sure that you update your recovery information |
| Chronological Ordering of Posts | Your posts may be reordered |
| Birthday Notifications | You may not receive birthday notifications from your friends |
| Legal Implications | In some cases, changing your birthdate on Facebook may have legal implications |
Additional Considerations
Age Verification
Facebook may ask for additional verification if you make significant changes to your birthdate, such as uploading a government-issued ID or contacting customer support. This helps ensure the authenticity of your profile and prevents underage users from accessing inappropriate content.
Page Management
If you manage Facebook pages, changing your birthdate may prompt you to update their ages accordingly. Failing to do so could result in the pages being restricted or even removed if they violate Facebook’s age-based policies.
Event Access
Some Facebook events and groups are age-restricted. Adjusting your birthdate can affect your eligibility to participate in these events or join certain groups based on their minimum age requirements.
Dating Profiles
If you use Facebook’s dating features, changing your birthdate will update your age on your dating profile. This information is used to connect you with potential matches within a suitable age range.
Security and Privacy
Your birthdate is a sensitive piece of information that can be used for identity theft or other malicious purposes. Exercise caution when providing it online and consider disabling birthday notifications to protect your privacy.
Table: Reasons to Request a Birthdate Change on Facebook
| Reason |
|---|
| Incorrectly entered birthdate at signup |
| Legal name change |
| Accidental typo or error |
| Identity theft or fraud |
| Mistakenly entered a future date |
How to Change Birthdate in Facebook
If you need to update your birthdate on Facebook, here’s a step-by-step guide:
1.
Log in to your Facebook account.
2.
Click on your profile picture in the top right corner.
3.
Select “About” from the menu.
4.
Scroll down to the “Contact and Basic Info” section.
5.
Click on the “Edit” button next to your birthdate.
6.
Enter your new birthdate and click “Save.”
Note: Facebook may ask you to provide additional verification if you’re changing your birthdate significantly.
People Also Ask
How do I change my Facebook birthdate without verification?
If you’re unable to provide verification, you can contact Facebook’s support team and request a manual review.
Can I change my Facebook birthdate more than once?
Yes, but Facebook limits the number of times you can change your birthdate. Excessive changes may result in your account being restricted.
What happens if I change my Facebook birthdate to a different year?
Changing your birthdate to a different year will affect the age-restricted content and features you can access on Facebook.
