What you need to open an Amazon account
Opening an Amazon account takes about five minutes and requires three things: a valid email address, a password you create, and a payment method (a credit card, debit card, or bank account). You do not need to provide a phone number, and Amazon will not charge you just for creating the account. The account itself is free.
You can create an account on Amazon.com using a web browser on any device, or through the Amazon mobile app on iOS or Android. Both routes are identical — the account works everywhere once it exists.
If you already have an Amazon account and forgot your password, you can reset it without creating a new one. If you have multiple email addresses, you can create separate accounts for each one, though most people use a single account for all their shopping.
Key Takeaways
- You need an email address, a password, and a payment method — nothing else is required to create the account.
- The account creation process takes place on Amazon.com or in the Amazon app and takes about five minutes from start to finish.
- You can add a shipping address after you create the account, or wait until you place your first order.
- Amazon will send a confirmation email to verify your address — check your spam folder if you do not see it in your inbox.
Step-by-step: creating your account on a computer
Go to Amazon.com and look for the "Sign in" button in the top right corner of the page. Click it, then select "Create your Amazon account" on the page that appears. Enter your name, email address, and a password (at least six characters, with at least one number or symbol). Click "Create your Amazon account" again.
Amazon will send a confirmation email to the address you provided. Open that email and click the link inside it, or copy the verification code from the email and paste it into the box on Amazon's website. Once verified, your account is active and you can start shopping immediately.
Before you place your first order, add a shipping address and a payment method. Click "Account" in the top right, then "Your Account," then "Addresses" to add where packages should go. To add a payment method, go to "Account," then "Your Account," then "Payment options." You can add multiple addresses and payment methods, and choose which one to use for each order.
Creating an account on the Amazon mobile app
Open the Amazon app and tap the account icon (usually a person's silhouette) at the bottom right of the screen. Tap "Sign in" or "Create account." Enter your name, email, and password, then tap "Create your Amazon account." You will receive a confirmation email — open it and click the link or enter the code as described above.
The app works the same way as the website once your account is created. You can add addresses and payment methods by tapping the account icon, then "Your Account," then scrolling to find "Addresses" or "Payment options." Many people find the app faster for browsing and ordering, but both routes lead to the same account.
What to do if you do not receive the confirmation email
Check your spam or junk folder first — confirmation emails sometimes land there by mistake. If you still do not see it after five minutes, go back to Amazon.com, click "Sign in," then select "I forgot my password" and enter the email address you used. Amazon will send a password reset email, which usually arrives faster than the initial confirmation.
If you created the account with a typo in your email address, you will not receive the confirmation at all. In that case, create a new account with the correct email address. You can delete the old account later or simply ignore it — having multiple accounts does not cause problems, though it means your order history will be split between them.
Adding a payment method and shipping address
You do not have to add these before you start browsing, but you will need them before you check out. When you place your first order, Amazon will ask you to enter a shipping address and payment method if you have not already saved them. You can add them at that point, or add them now through your account settings.
Amazon accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards, as well as debit cards and bank accounts linked through Amazon Pay. You can also use gift cards, though you will still need a payment method on file as a backup. If you have an Amazon Prime membership, your payment method is already linked to your account.
Protecting your new account
Use a password that is not the same as passwords you use elsewhere — if another website gets hacked, a thief could use your password to access your Amazon account and your payment methods. Amazon recommends at least 12 characters mixing letters, numbers, and symbols, though six characters is the minimum.
Turn on two-factor authentication for extra security. Go to "Account," then "Your Account," then "Login & security," then "Two-Step Verification." This means Amazon will text you a code whenever someone tries to sign in from a new device, even if they have your password. It takes an extra 30 seconds per login but stops most account theft.
What happens after you create your account
Your account is immediately active and you can browse and search Amazon's catalog without restrictions. You can add items to a wishlist, read product reviews, and check prices. You cannot place an order until you add a payment method, but you can do that at checkout time if you prefer.
Amazon will start sending you emails about your account activity — order confirmations, shipping updates, and recommendations based on what you have browsed. You can turn off most of these emails by going to "Account," then "Your Account," then "Communication preferences," and unchecking the boxes next to emails you do not want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a free email address like Gmail or Outlook?
Yes. Amazon accepts any email address, including free ones from Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or any other provider. The email just needs to be one you can access — Amazon uses it to send order confirmations and password reset links.
What if I want to create an account for someone else?
You can create an account using anyone's email address, but that person will need access to that email to verify the account. If you want to give someone a gift card or send them a gift, you do not need to create an account for them — they can create their own when they are ready to order.
Do I have to use my real name?
Amazon requires a name on your account, but it does not have to match your legal name exactly. It just needs to match the name on your payment method and shipping address so packages arrive correctly and fraud checks pass.
Can I change my email address after I create the account?
Yes. Go to "Account," then "Your Account," then "Login & security," then "Email address." You will need to verify the new email address the same way you verified the original one. Your order history and payment methods stay with the account.
What if I already have an Amazon account and forgot which email I used?
Go to Amazon.com and click "Sign in," then "I forgot my password." Try the email addresses you think you used. If one of them is correct, Amazon will send a password reset link. If none of them work, contact Amazon's customer service — they can help you find your account or create a new one.