Creating an Amazon account takes about five minutes and requires only an email address and a password

You need an Amazon account to buy anything on the site, track orders, save addresses, and store payment methods. The account itself is free — you pay only for items you purchase. Amazon will ask for your email, a password you create, your name, and at least one address and payment method before you can complete your first order.

The process is straightforward, but there are a few choices to make along the way that affect what you see and how Amazon contacts you. Understanding those choices beforehand means you won't have to backtrack.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to amazon.com, click "Account & Lists" in the top right, and select "Start here" under "Create your Amazon account" to begin.
  • Your password must be at least 6 characters long and include at least one number or special character; Amazon will reject passwords that are too simple.
  • You can use any email address you already have, but you cannot use the same email for two different Amazon accounts in the same country.
  • Amazon will send a verification code to your email before your account is fully active, so check your inbox and spam folder for that message.
  • You do not need to add a payment method or address until you are ready to buy something, but having them saved speeds up checkout.

Step 1: Go to the account creation page

Open amazon.com in your web browser. In the top right corner, you will see "Account & Lists" — click on it. A menu will drop down. Look for the section that says "Create your Amazon account" and click the "Start here" link underneath it.

You will land on a page titled "Create account" with three fields: Name, Email address, and Password. This is where you enter the information Amazon will use to identify you.

Step 2: Enter your name, email, and create a password

In the Name field, type the name you want associated with your account. This does not have to be your legal name, but it should be something you recognize and that matches how you want to be addressed on orders and receipts.

In the Email address field, enter an email you have access to and check regularly. Amazon will send order confirmations, shipping updates, and account notifications to this address. You can use any email provider — Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or any other service. However, you cannot use the same email address for two different Amazon accounts within the United States (or within any single country where Amazon operates).

In the Password field, create a password at least 6 characters long. Amazon requires that your password include at least one number or special character (like !, @, #, or $). Avoid passwords that are dictionary words or simple sequences like "123456" — Amazon will reject those. A strong password combines uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a special character.

Step 3: Verify your email address

After you click "Create your Amazon account," Amazon sends a verification code to the email address you provided. Check your inbox for an email from Amazon with the subject line "Amazon.com verification code." The code is usually a six-digit number.

If you do not see the email within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes email filters catch it by mistake. Copy the code from the email and paste it into the field Amazon displays on the screen, then click "Verify." Your account is now active.

Step 4: Add your address (optional but recommended)

Amazon will ask whether you want to add a shipping address now. You can skip this step and add it later when you make your first purchase, but adding it now saves time at checkout. Click "Add address" and enter the street address where you want packages delivered, along with your city, state, and zip code.

You can add multiple addresses to your account — for example, a home address and a work address — and choose which one to use each time you order. You can also change or delete addresses at any time from your Account settings.

Step 5: Add a payment method

Amazon will ask for a payment method — a credit card, debit card, or bank account. You can add this now or wait until you place your first order. If you add it now, you will need the card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit security code on the back). For a bank account, you will need your routing number and account number.

Amazon stores your payment information securely and does not charge you until you complete a purchase. You can add multiple payment methods and choose which one to use for each order. You can also delete or update payment methods from your Account settings at any time.

What happens after you create your account

Once your email is verified, your account is ready to use. You can browse products, add items to your cart, and save items to a wishlist without a payment method on file. When you are ready to buy, Amazon will guide you through entering or selecting a shipping address and payment method at checkout.

Amazon will send you emails about your orders, including a confirmation when you buy something, a shipping notification with tracking information, and a delivery confirmation. You can control which emails you receive by going to Your Account, then "Login & security," then "Communication preferences." There you can turn off marketing emails, product recommendations, and other optional messages while keeping order and shipping notifications on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create an Amazon account without a credit card?

Yes. You can create an account and browse with just an email address and password. You only need to add a payment method when you are ready to buy something. You can use a debit card, credit card, or bank account.

What if I forget my password?

Go to amazon.com, click "Account & Lists," and select "Sign in" at the top. Click "Forgot password?" and enter your email address. Amazon will send you a link to reset your password. Click the link, create a new password, and sign in.

Can I use the same email for multiple Amazon accounts?

No. Each email address can be linked to only one Amazon account per country. If you need a separate account, you must use a different email address.

Is my payment information safe on Amazon?

Amazon encrypts your payment data and does not store full card numbers on their servers. Your information is protected by the same security standards used by banks. You can also set up two-factor authentication in your Account settings for extra security.

Can I change my account email address after I create it?

Yes. Go to Your Account, click "Login & security," and select "Edit" next to your email address. You will need to verify the new email with a code before the change takes effect.