What you need before you start

To create an Amazon account, you need three things: an email address you can access right now, a password you will remember, and a payment method (a credit card, debit card, or bank account). Amazon will send a confirmation email to the address you provide, so use one you check regularly. You do not need to add payment information when ready — you can do that later when you first make a purchase.

If you are setting up an account on a shared computer or a public device, use a personal email address rather than a shared one. This keeps your account separate from other people who use that device. If you do not have an email address yet, you can create one for free through Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo before you start the Amazon signup.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to amazon.com and click "Start here" under "New customer?" to begin creating your account.
  • Enter your full name, email address, and a password with at least 6 characters, including numbers or symbols for stronger security.
  • Amazon will send a verification code to your email — check your inbox and spam folder, then enter that code to confirm your account.
  • You can browse and add items to your cart before entering payment information, which you add only when you are ready to buy.
  • After you confirm your email, set up two-factor authentication in your account settings to add a second layer of security to your login.

The step-by-step signup process

Open amazon.com in your web browser. At the top of the page, look for the "Account & Lists" menu (usually in the upper right corner). Click it, then select "Start here" under the "New customer?" heading. This takes you to the account creation page.

On the signup page, enter your full name in the first field. Use the name you want associated with your account — this is what will appear on your orders and receipts. In the second field, enter your email address. Make sure you type it correctly; Amazon uses this to send you order confirmations and password reset links. In the third field, create a password. Amazon requires at least 6 characters. A stronger password includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (like ! or #), but the minimum is what Amazon enforces.

Click "Create your Amazon account" when you have filled in all three fields. Amazon will send a verification email to the address you provided. This usually arrives within a few minutes, but check your spam or promotions folder if you do not see it in your main inbox within 10 minutes.

Confirming your email address

Open the email from Amazon. It will have a subject line like "Amazon email verification code" or "Confirm your Amazon account." Inside the email, you will see a 6-digit code. Copy this code and return to the Amazon signup page, which should still be open in your browser. Paste the code into the verification field and click "Verify."

Once Amazon confirms your email, your account is created and active. You can now browse products, add items to your cart, and view your account settings. You do not need to enter payment information yet — you only add that when you place your first order.

Adding a payment method later

When you are ready to buy something, Amazon will ask you to add a payment method. You can use a credit card, debit card, or a bank account linked through Amazon Pay. During checkout, click "Add a new payment method" and follow the prompts. Amazon will ask for the card number, expiration date, and CVV (the 3-digit security code on the back), or your bank account and routing number if you choose that option.

You can store multiple payment methods in your account and choose which one to use for each purchase. To see or change your saved payment methods at any time, go to "Account & Lists," select "Your Account," then click "Payment options" or "Manage payment methods."

Setting up two-factor authentication for extra security

After your account is confirmed, add a second layer of security by turning on two-factor authentication. This means that even if someone learns your password, they cannot log in without a code sent to your phone or email. Go to "Account & Lists," click "Your Account," then select "Login & security." Scroll down to "Two-Step Verification" and click "Edit."

Amazon will ask whether you want to receive verification codes by text message or email. Choose whichever you prefer. If you choose text, enter your phone number. Amazon will send you a test code to confirm it works. After you verify the phone number or confirm the email method, two-factor authentication is on. The next time you log in from a new device or browser, Amazon will ask for a verification code in addition to your password.

What to do if you forget your password

If you cannot remember your password when you try to log in, click "Forgot password?" on the Amazon login page. Enter the email address associated with your account. Amazon will send you a link to reset your password — check your email inbox and spam folder. Click the link in that email, and you will be taken to a page where you can create a new password. Use a password you have not used before, and make it different from passwords you use on other websites.

If you do not receive the password reset email within a few minutes, check your spam folder or try again. If you still cannot access the email address linked to your account, you may need to contact Amazon's customer service to verify your identity and regain access.

Keeping your account find after signup

Once your account is active, review your account settings regularly. Go to "Account & Lists," then "Your Account," and check "Login & security" to see where you have recently logged in. If you see a location or device you do not recognize, change your password when ready. You can also click "End all sessions" to log out of your account on all devices at once, then log back in on only the devices you use.

Do not share your password with anyone, even Amazon employees. Amazon will never ask for your password by email or phone. If someone contacts you claiming to be from Amazon and asks for your password or payment information, do not give it to them — that is a scam. Instead, go directly to amazon.com and log into your account to check for any messages or alerts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create an Amazon account without a credit card?

Yes. You can create your account with just an email address and password. You do not need to add payment information until you place your first order. At that point, you can choose to pay with a credit card, debit card, or bank account.

What if I already have an Amazon account but forgot which email I used?

Go to amazon.com and click "Forgot password?" on the login page. Enter any email address you think you might have used. If it is linked to an account, Amazon will send a password reset email. If it is not, Amazon will tell you no account exists with that email. Try other email addresses you have used in the past.

Is it safe to use the same password on Amazon as I use elsewhere?

No. If another website is hacked and your password is stolen, someone could use that same password to access your Amazon account and make purchases. Create a unique password for Amazon that you do not use on any other site. A password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password can help you store and manage different passwords securely.

Do I have to use my real name when I create an account?

Amazon requires the name you provide to match the name on your payment method and shipping address for orders to go through. You cannot use a completely fictional name, but you can use a nickname or shortened version of your name if that is what appears on your ID and payment cards.

Can I delete my Amazon account after I create it?

Yes, but Amazon keeps records of your account for a period of time for tax and legal reasons. To close your account, go to "Account & Lists," select "Your Account," then "Login & security," and look for "Close your account" or contact Amazon customer service. You cannot reuse the same email address to create a new account when ready after closing one.