Amazon account deletion is permanent and removes your order history, saved addresses, and payment methods

When you delete an Amazon account, the company removes your personal information, order history, saved addresses, payment methods, and wish lists. You cannot undo this action. Amazon will send a confirmation email before the deletion takes effect, giving you a window to change your mind. After that window closes — typically a few days — the account is gone for good.

Before you delete, download your data if you need records of past orders for warranty claims, returns, or tax purposes. You should also cancel any active subscriptions like Prime or Subscribe & Save, because deleting the account does not automatically refund unused portions of those services.

Key Takeaways

  • Account deletion is permanent and cannot be reversed once the confirmation period ends, so download your order history first if you need it.
  • You must cancel Prime membership and any Subscribe & Save subscriptions before deleting your account, or you will lose the refund for unused time.
  • The deletion process happens through your account settings under "Login & Security," not through customer service.
  • Amazon sends a confirmation email after you request deletion, and the account stays active during that confirmation period in case you change your mind.

How to download your Amazon order history before deletion

Go to Your Account in the top right corner of Amazon.com, then select Login & Security. Scroll down to find Download your personal information and click Request download. Amazon will prepare a file containing your order history, addresses, payment methods, and other account data.

The download file typically arrives within a few hours, though it can take up to 30 days. You will receive an email with a link to download the file. Save this file to your computer before you delete your account, because you cannot retrieve it afterward. The file is in a standard format you can open in a spreadsheet or text editor.

Cancel Prime and other subscriptions first

If you have an active Amazon Prime membership, cancel it before deleting your account. Go to Your Account, select Prime membership, and click End membership. Amazon will refund the unused portion of your membership fee if you are within the refund window — typically 30 days from purchase for annual memberships.

Also cancel any Subscribe & Save subscriptions you have active. Go to Your Account, select Manage Your Content and Devices, then Subscriptions. Click Cancel subscription next to each one. Deleting your account does not cancel these subscriptions automatically, so you could be charged after the account is gone.

The steps to request account deletion

Sign into your Amazon account and go to Your Account in the top right. Select Login & Security. Scroll down until you see Close your account and click it. Amazon will show you a page explaining what happens when you delete your account — read through this carefully, because it lists everything you will lose.

Click the checkbox next to I understand that my account and all related information will be deleted, then click Close account. Amazon will send a confirmation email to the address on file. Do not click the link in that email if you want to keep your account. If you do nothing, the account deletion proceeds automatically after the confirmation period ends.

What happens during the confirmation period

After you request deletion, Amazon gives you a window — usually several days — to change your mind. Your account remains fully active during this time. You can still log in, place orders, and use all normal features. If you decide you want to keep your account, simply do nothing and the deletion will not happen.

If you receive the confirmation email and want to cancel the deletion, click the link in the email or go back to Login & Security and select Reactivate your account. Once the confirmation period expires and Amazon processes the deletion, you cannot reactivate it — you would have to create a new account from scratch.

What you lose when your account is deleted

Your order history disappears, which means you cannot track past purchases or access digital content you bought like Kindle books or music. Any gift cards or store credit remaining on your account will be forfeited. Your saved addresses and payment methods are removed, so you cannot use them on a new account even if you create one later with the same email address.

If you have an Amazon Business account linked to your personal account, deleting your personal account may affect that business account. If you use Amazon Prime Video, Music, or Photos through your account, you lose access to those services. Refunds for unused portions of these services depend on when you purchased them and your location.

Creating a new account after deletion

You can create a new Amazon account using the same email address after your old account is fully deleted. However, you will start from scratch — no order history, no saved addresses, no payment methods. If you had a Prime membership, you would need to purchase a new one.

If you only want to start fresh but do not want to lose your order history, consider deactivating your account instead of deleting it. Contact Amazon customer service through Your Account > Contact Us to ask about deactivation options, which may preserve your data while keeping the account inactive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my Amazon account if I have an active order?

No. You must wait for all active orders to be delivered and any returns to be processed before you can delete your account. If you have pending orders, cancel them first through Your Orders, then wait for the cancellation to be confirmed before requesting account deletion.

Will deleting my Amazon account cancel my Prime membership automatically?

No. You must cancel Prime separately before deleting your account. If you do not cancel it first, Amazon will continue to charge you after the account is deleted, and you will not be able to get a refund because the account no longer exists.

Can I recover my Kindle books after I delete my account?

No. Kindle books are tied to your Amazon account, and deleting the account removes your access to them permanently. If you need to keep digital books, download them to your device before deletion. Some publishers allow you to download DRM-free versions directly from their websites.

What if I forgot my password and cannot log in to delete my account?

Go to the Amazon login page and click Forgot your password? to reset it using your email address or phone number. Once you reset your password and log in, you can proceed with account deletion through Login & Security.

How long does it take for Amazon to fully delete my account?

The confirmation period is usually a few days, but Amazon may take up to 30 days to fully remove all your data from their servers. During this time, your account is inactive but still exists. After the confirmation period ends, the deletion is permanent and cannot be reversed.