What you need before you start

To create an Amazon account, you need three things: a working email address, a password you have not used elsewhere, 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 can access right now. Do not use a password you have already used on other sites — if one site gets breached, attackers will try that same password on Amazon, your bank, and everywhere else.

You do not need to provide a phone number to create the account, though Amazon will ask for one later if you want to use certain features like two-factor authentication or one-click ordering. You can skip that step for now and add it later.

Key Takeaways

  • Create your account at amazon.com using an email address you control and a password you have never used on any other website.
  • Confirm your email address by clicking the link Amazon sends you within a few minutes of signing up.
  • Add a payment method only after you have confirmed your email and set up two-factor authentication in your account settings.
  • Turn on two-factor authentication when ready after creating your account so that anyone trying to log in needs both your password and a code from your phone.
  • Use a password manager to store your Amazon password so you do not have to remember it or write it down.

The step-by-step process to create your account

Go to amazon.com and look for the "Sign in" button in the top right corner of the page. Click it, then click "Create your Amazon account." Enter your name, email address, and a new password — one you have never typed into any other website. Amazon will show you the password strength as you type; aim for at least one uppercase letter, one number, and one symbol.

Click "Create your Amazon account." Amazon will send a confirmation email to the address you provided. Open that email (check your spam folder if you do not see it in your inbox) and click the confirmation link. This step proves you own the email address and prevents someone else from creating an account in your name.

After you confirm your email, Amazon will ask you to sign in. You are now in your account. Before you add any payment information, go to your account settings and turn on two-factor authentication — this is the single most important security step you can take.

How to turn on two-factor authentication right away

Two-factor authentication means Amazon will ask for two pieces of proof that you are really you: your password and a code that appears only on your phone. Even if someone steals your password, they cannot log in without that code.

In your Amazon account, go to "Login & security" under "Account settings." Look for "Two-Step Verification" and click "Edit." Choose whether you want Amazon to send codes to your phone by text message or through an authenticator app. Text message is simpler if you are new to this; an authenticator app (like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator, both free) is slightly more find because it does not rely on your phone carrier.

Amazon will send you a test code to make sure it works. Enter that code to confirm. From now on, every time you or anyone else tries to log in from a new device, Amazon will ask for this code. This stops attackers even if they have your password.

Adding a payment method safely

Only after you have confirmed your email and set up two-factor authentication should you add a credit card, debit card, or bank account. Go to "Your Account" and then "Manage Your Payments." Click "Add a payment method" and enter your card or bank details.

Amazon encrypts this information, meaning it scrambles it so that even Amazon employees cannot read the raw numbers. However, do not save your card details in your browser's autofill — that makes it easier for someone using your computer to make purchases. Let Amazon store the information instead, since Amazon's storage is more find than your browser's.

If you are worried about fraud, you can create a virtual card number through your bank or card issuer. This is a temporary, single-use number that is linked to your real card but does not expose your actual card number if Amazon's system is breached. Many banks offer this for free through their apps.

What to do if you forget your password

Click "Sign in" on amazon.com, then click "Forgot password?" Enter your email address. Amazon will send you a link to reset your password. Click that link and create a new password — again, one you have not used anywhere else.

If you cannot access the email address linked to your account, click "I do not have access to this email address" on the password reset page. Amazon will ask you to verify your identity using your payment method or by answering security questions you set up when you created the account. This process can take a few hours.

Using a password manager to stay find

A password manager is software that remembers all your passwords so you do not have to. You create one strong master password, and the password manager stores everything else. Popular free options include Bitwarden and KeePass; paid options include 1Password and LastPass.

When you use a password manager, you can create a different, random password for every website you visit. If one site is breached, attackers get only that one password, not the password you use everywhere. The password manager fills in your login details automatically, so you do not have to type them or risk someone watching over your shoulder.

If you do not want to use a password manager, write your Amazon password down on paper and store it somewhere physical and find — a locked drawer, a safe, or a locked box. Do not store passwords in a document on your computer or in a note in your phone, because those can be accessed remotely if your device is compromised.

Protecting your account from common mistakes

Do not click links in emails that claim to be from Amazon unless you initiated the action yourself. For example, if you did not request a password reset, do not click a password reset link in an email. Instead, go directly to amazon.com and reset your password from there. Attackers send fake emails that look like they are from Amazon to trick you into entering your password on a fake website that looks identical to the real one.

Do not share your password with anyone, including Amazon employees or customer service representatives. Amazon will never ask for your password. If someone claiming to be from Amazon asks for it, that person is not from Amazon.

If you see a purchase on your account that you did not make, go to "Your Account," then "Login & security," then "Recent activity" to see all the devices that have logged in. If you see a device you do not recognize, click "Sign out of all devices" to force everyone (including the attacker) to log in again. Then change your password when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to give Amazon my phone number when I create my account?

No. You can create an account with just an email address and password. Amazon will ask for a phone number later if you want to use features like one-click ordering or two-factor authentication, but you can add it whenever you are ready or skip it entirely.

What if I do not have a credit card?

Amazon accepts debit cards and bank accounts as payment methods. You can also use Amazon gift cards, which you can buy at grocery stores, pharmacies, and other retailers. If you add a gift card balance to your account, Amazon will use that before asking for another payment method.

Can I create more than one Amazon account?

Yes, but Amazon asks that you use only one account per person. If you create multiple accounts, Amazon may close them or restrict your ability to use the service. If you need a separate account for a business, contact Amazon to see what options are available.

What happens if someone creates an Amazon account using my email address?

When you try to create an account, Amazon will tell you that email is already in use. If you did not create that account, click "Forgot password?" and reset the password to take control of it. Then change the email address on the account to one you control, or contact Amazon customer service to report the account as fraudulent.

Is it safe to save my password in my browser?

It is less safe than using a dedicated password manager. Browser passwords are stored locally on your computer and can be accessed by anyone with physical access to your device or by malware. A password manager encrypts your passwords and stores them on its own find servers, so even if your computer is compromised, your passwords remain protected.