You're staring at a blank bio box, cursor blinking. You haven't written a dating profile in years, maybe decades. You have a past, maybe kids, and a clearer sense of what you want than you did at 25. This guide covers what to write, what to leave out, and example bios for people starting over.
The short answer
Use this formula: your life now, one line of context about your past if relevant, what you're looking for, and a date idea. Keep it under 150 words. Choose recent photos that show your face, skip group shots, and include one photo of you doing something you enjoy.
Photos
Use four to six recent photos. At least one should show your face clearly, with good light and no filters. Include a photo where you're doing something you care about: hiking, cooking, reading at a coffee shop, playing with your dog.
Skip group shots where matches can't tell which person you are. One photo with friends is fine if you're easy to spot. Keep all photos from the past year. If a photo no longer looks like you, replace it.
Photos with kids
If you have kids, use at most one photo with them, and keep their faces out of it. A photo where they face away, sit outside the frame, or appear as small figures in the background works. Better yet, mention your kids in words and leave their images out of your profile entirely. According to Fortune's interview with a matchmaker, stating your kids in your bio protects their privacy without hiding a central part of your life.
Mentioning your past
You have options here. Pick the one that fits your situation and comfort level.
| Approach | Example line | When to use it | |----------|--------------|----------------| | Brief mention | "Divorced two years, ready to meet someone." | Your divorce or breakup sits close enough to matter but far enough that you've moved on. | | Reframed | "Starting a new chapter after a long relationship." | You want to signal your past without naming it. | | Context without detail | "Single again after 15 years married." | The length matters more than the specifics. | | Skip it | Leave it out and focus on now. | Your past doesn't need to be in your bio. People can ask in conversation. |
Pick one line and move on. Don't apologize, don't explain the whole story, and don't frame your past as baggage. You're building a profile about your future, not a memoir.
Mentioning kids and what you want
If you have kids, say so early. "Single mom, co-parenting two kids" or "Dad to a great 8-year-old" works. You don't need their names, ages, schools, or photos yet. People who can't date a parent will filter themselves out, and that saves you time.
Say what you want next. "Looking for a lasting relationship," "Hoping to meet someone for companionship and fun," or "Taking it slow and seeing where things go" all work. Vague wording attracts vague matches. Clear intentions attract people who want the same thing.
Example bios
These are written examples to show the formula in action, not profiles from real members.
Divorced, no kids: Software engineer, divorced three years. I spend weekends hiking, trying new restaurants, and reading sci-fi. Looking for someone to explore the city with and maybe build something lasting. Coffee first?
Divorced, single parent: Single dad, co-parenting. I work in healthcare and spend my free time at my kids' soccer games, cooking, and running. Looking for someone who understands that my schedule comes in blocks and is up for a slow build. Breakfast dates work best for me.
Separated, ready to date: Separated, living apart, ready to meet someone. I teach high school and spend summers traveling. I'm looking for someone patient, curious, and ready for something real when the timing works. Wine bar or a walk?
Long relationship, never married: Single again after a long relationship. I manage a small business and love live music, farmers markets, and my dog. Looking for a partner who values honesty and doesn't need everything figured out on date one. Coffee or a concert?
Breakup, younger: Single after a four-year relationship. I work in design, run half marathons, and binge cooking shows. I'd love to meet someone who's emotionally available, wants something real, and doesn't mind if I talk about fonts. Brunch?
Mid-40s, never married, dating intentionally: Never married, dating intentionally now. I'm a lawyer who spends time at yoga, bookstores, and trying to keep my houseplants alive. I want a partnership built on trust and shared values. Dinner or a museum?
Post-divorce, dating casually: Divorced last year, taking my time. I work in tech, play guitar, and host trivia nights with friends. I'm looking for good conversation and companionship without rushing into anything serious. Drinks?
Single parent, never married: Single mom, never married. I work remotely, love hiking, and read a book a week. I'm looking for someone kind, patient, and comfortable with the fact that my kid comes first. Coffee?
Phrases to drop
Avoid these:
- "No drama." Everyone says they don't want drama. It reads as a red flag to matches who wonder what your last relationship looked like. Skip it.
- Bitterness about your ex or past relationships. "My ex ruined my trust" or "Tired of games" tells matches you're not ready yet. If you feel that way, take more time before you date.
- Self-deprecation. "I'm bad at this," "I don't know what I'm doing," or "I'm probably too old for this" makes matches wonder if you believe it. Write like you belong there.
According to Hearts Again, profiles that focus on what you're excited about instead of what you're avoiding get better responses.
Setting up your profile on The Transfer Portal dating app
The Transfer Portal dating app gives you prompts instead of a blank bio box. You'll answer questions like "A perfect Saturday looks like," "I'm looking for," and "I'm ready to date again because." These prompts guide you toward the same formula: life now, context, intentions.
You'll also write a short reflection on your readiness to date. This step helps you think through where you are before you match, and it signals to other members that you've done the work.
Every member verifies with a pose check, and a human moderator reviews each profile before it goes live. You can add optional government ID verification. See our photo verification comparison for how verification works across apps.
In your intention field, you'll choose from "Life partner," "Companionship," or "Exploring." Clear intentions help you match with people who want the same thing.