You can personalize your Facebook URL (web address) by selecting a unique username. It will appear in the location bar of your browser after "http://www.facebook.com/" when you view your profile (timeline) or Page.

An example of a username is the phrase "fbsitegovernance" as used in the web address http://www.facebook.com/fbsitegovernance.

All verified Facebook users are eligible to claim usernames. Verification may require mobile phone authentication. For more information on how to verify your account via Facebook Mobile, please visit the Mobile section of our Help Center.

Not at this time. Usernames can only contain alphanumeric characters (A-Z, 0-9) or a period ("."). We're looking at how we may potentially support non-romanized characters in the future.

Since your username is found in your profile (timeline) URL, anyone that is able to navigate to your profile (timeline) can see your username.

Yes — since your username replaces your UID in your profile (timeline) URL, it's also accessible through the Platform API if you interact with an application.

You can select a username at http://www.facebook.com/username. You may choose a username that Facebook suggests, or create your own. Select "Check availability" to check for available usernames. If the desired username is available, click "Confirm" in order to confirm your choice.

You may not be able to claim a username for several reasons. Usernames can only contain alphanumeric characters (A-Z, 0-9) or a period ("."), for example -- john.smith55. It is important to note that a period (".") does not count as a part of a username; therefore, names like johnsmith55, john.smith55, john.smith.55, etc. all constitute the same username. Usernames also must be at least 5 characters long. Usernames are not case sensitive. Facebook also prevents certain words from being included in usernames. It is not possible to copy a username that someone else has already claimed.

If Facebook has indicated that a username cannot be claimed, you will need to select a different one. You will see a green checkmark indicating that a potential username is available before you actually claim it.

We think there are many options for users to choose a username that represents their identity, but we also felt it was important to restrict access to certain usernames associated with Facebook's own tools and teams (e.g., "www.facebook.com/security"). Facebook has also limited access to some usernames per our Community Standards.

No. A period (".") does not count as a part of a username; therefore, names like johnsmith55, john.smith55, john.smith.55, etc. all constitute the same username.

Users can only have one username for their personal account. Similarly, Facebook Page administrators can only have one username for each Page.

Usernames are available for profiles (timelines) and Facebook Pages. If you're an admin of a group, you can set a unique URL for that group by creating an email address for the group (learn how). Unfortunately, there is no way to create a unique Facebook URL for an event at this time.

Facebook reserves the right to remove and/or reclaim any username at any time for any reason.

Usernames were created to make it easier for you to identify your profile (timeline) and share it with others. Please consider the following guidelines when creating a username:

• Your username should be as close as possible to your true name (e.g., Jsmith or John.Smith). Names such as CoachBethany, BlondeJill, etc. don’t clearly identify you as well as your true name.
• Usernames can only contain alphanumeric characters (A-Z, 0-9) or a period (".").
• Choose a username you will be happy with for the long term. Usernames are not transferable.
• Your username must adhere to Facebook’s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities.

To change your username:

1. Open the Account dropdown menu at the top right corner of Facebook and choose Account Settings.
2. Click the Edit link next to Username.
3. Type your new username in the open field and click Save Changes.

Note: You can only change your username once.

If you misspell your username, you can change it once. To change your username:

1. Open the Account dropdown menu at the top right corner of Facebook and choose Account Settings.
2. Click the Edit link next to Username.
3. Type your new username in the open field and click Save Changes.

Remember: You can only change your username once.

Once you have secured a username, it is not possible to transfer it to a different account on Facebook. Also, when an account is removed from the site, its username will be unavailable. Facebook does this for security reasons, namely to prevent username squatting.

You should make sure your username is something you like and that it’s appropriate for friends, family, co-workers, and anyone else who might use it to find you.

We've taken steps to prevent username squatting (when people create new accounts just to take advantage of reserving a username).

• To create a username, you must have a verified Facebook account, which may require mobile phone authentication.
• Before usernames were available, we provided an opportunity for brand owners to limit access to their trademarks so that they could be used on their own Facebook Pages.
• We have a no transferability policy. You can't secure a username on one account and then transfer it to another.
• If we determine that usage of a username is for squatting, that username will be reclaimed by Facebook.

We regret any inconvenience. Your username may have been removed for not meeting one or more of the following guidelines:

• Your username should be as close as possible to your true name (e.g., Jsmith or John.Smith). Names such as CoachJohn, BlondeJane, etc. don’t clearly identify you as well as your true name.
• Usernames can only contain alphanumeric characters (A-Z, 0-9) or a period (".").
• Choose a username you will be happy with for the long term. Usernames are not transferable.
• Your username must adhere to Facebook’s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities.

To select a new username:

1. Open the Account dropdown menu at the top right corner of Facebook and choose Account Settings.
2. Click the Edit link next to Username.
3. Type your new username in the open field and click Save Changes.

Note: You can only change your username once.

First, secure your account to make sure that no one else has access to it.

• If you still have access to your account, please reset your password to secure it.
• If your account was compromised by someone and you can no longer access it, secure it here.

Once you have secured your account, change your username here. Note: You can only change your username once.