Issues involving Microsoft 360 Personal Subscription and being underage

Question

I am 17 years old and I purchased a Microsoft 360 personal subscription, but recent laws have passed in Australia that mandates being 18 to have any kind of Microsoft subscription or having parental controls for children's Microsoft accounts. I do not have parents; I cannot have parental controls. I also need the subscription as I do schoolwork online and I write and publish books to earn money. I tried to find a contact phone number to go straight to Microsoft about the issue, but there isn't a contact phone number... I also can't verify my age because the photo verification can't verify me, I have a debit card, not a credit card and I don't have a passport or a full license. I looked it up and it said that if Microsoft can't verify my age, my account could be permanently deleted, that also includes my email account, and anything connected to it.

Answer 1

Hi Hannah Stoneman

I understand why this is concerning, especially when you rely on the account for schoolwork, email, and you're writing.

Microsoft’s current age-verification guidance says that Australia is one of the regions where age verification may be required. If verification is not completed, the Microsoft and Xbox account will be treated as unverified, which prevents new purchases or downloads of games and apps rated 18+. The guidance does not state that an existing Microsoft 365 Personal subscription, email account, or the entire Microsoft account will automatically be deleted for this reason. However, it also does not specifically explain how a Microsoft 365 Personal subscription belonging to someone under 18 will be handled.

You can review the official information here: Microsoft account age-verification FAQ.

Since the available verification methods are not working for you and parental consent is not an option, please use Contact Microsoft Support, enter age verification or Microsoft account, select Get Help, and then choose Contact Support if offered. Kindly note that moderators and forum members cannot verify an account, change its age-verification status, or override consent requirements.

In the meantime, if you can still access the account, I recommend backing up important schoolwork and other files as a precaution. Please do not enter an incorrect birth date or use someone else’s identity documents.

Thank you for your understanding and time. Hope you have a great day