What happens when you close your Amazon account
Closing your Amazon account removes your access to your account, cancels any active subscriptions like Prime, and deletes your stored payment methods and addresses. Amazon keeps your order history for tax and legal reasons, but you will no longer be able to view it through the site. If you have an open order, a return in progress, or an active subscription, you should handle those before closing.
The account closure is permanent after 30 days. During those 30 days, you can contact Amazon customer service to reopen it if you change your mind. After 30 days, the account cannot be recovered, and you cannot create a new account using the same email address for 180 days.
If you have an Amazon Business account, a seller account, or an AWS (Amazon Web Services) account, those close separately and have their own rules. This guide covers personal shopping accounts only.
Key Takeaways
- You close your account through Account Settings on the Amazon website or app — there is no phone number to call or form to mail in.
- Cancel Prime, resolve open orders, and request refunds for any gift cards before you close, because you will lose access to those features when ready.
- You have 30 days to change your mind and ask Amazon to reopen the account before it is permanently deleted.
- After the account closes, you cannot use the same email address to create a new Amazon account for 180 days.
Steps to close your account on a computer
Go to Amazon.com and sign in. In the top right corner, hover over "Account & Lists" and select "Account" from the dropdown menu. This takes you to your account page.
Scroll down to the section labeled "Login & security" and click "Edit" next to "Account closure." Read the message about what happens when you close your account. Click the button that says "Close your account" at the bottom of that section. Amazon will ask you to confirm by entering your password again. Type it in and click "Close account."
You will see a confirmation message. Your account is now in a 30-day closure period. You can still sign in during this time if you need to reopen it, but you cannot make purchases or access Prime.
Steps to close your account on the Amazon app
Open the Amazon app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Tap "Account" and then scroll down to find "Login & security." Tap "Edit" next to "Account closure."
Read the closure information and tap "Close your account." The app will ask you to confirm your password. Enter it and tap "Close account." You will see a confirmation message on screen.
The closure process is the same whether you use the app or the website. You can manage the 30-day period from either one.
What to do before you close your account
Cancel your Prime membership first. Go to "Account & Lists," select "Your Memberships and Subscriptions," find Prime, and click "End membership." If you paid for a full year and cancel before it ends, Amazon will refund the unused portion. This refund goes back to your original payment method, not to your Amazon account balance.
Check for open orders. Go to "Returns" in your account and look for anything that is still in progress. If you have a return pending, complete it or contact the seller before closing. If you have an order that has not arrived yet, you will not be able to track it or file a claim after the account closes.
Spend or request a refund for any gift card balance. Go to "Gift cards" in your account to see your balance. You can use it to buy something before closing, or contact Amazon customer service to request a refund to your original payment method. Gift card balances disappear when the account closes.
If you have a credit card saved as your default payment method and you are worried about accidental charges, remove it now. Go to "Your payments" and delete the card. This does not affect past purchases, only future ones.
If you change your mind during the 30-day period
You can reopen your account at any time during the 30 days after closure. Sign in with your email and password. Amazon will show you a message saying your account is scheduled for closure and offer you the option to cancel the closure request. Click that option and your account will be active again when ready.
All your information — your addresses, payment methods, order history, and Prime membership status — returns exactly as it was. If you had an active Prime membership when you closed the account, you will have the remaining time restored.
After 30 days have passed, the account is permanently deleted. You cannot reopen it, and you cannot create a new account with the same email address for 180 days.
What you cannot do after closure
You cannot view your order history, track packages, or file claims on past purchases. If you need a receipt or proof of purchase for a return to a physical store, take a screenshot of your order confirmation email before you close the account.
You cannot access Prime Video, Prime Music, or any other Prime benefits. If you use your Amazon account to sign in to other apps or services (like some smart home devices), those connections will break. You will need to set up a new account or sign in with a different method.
You cannot use the same email address to create a new Amazon account for 180 days. If you need to shop on Amazon again before that time, you will have to use a different email address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my account if I have an active Prime membership?
Yes, but you should cancel Prime first to get a refund for the unused portion of your membership. If you close the account without canceling Prime, you lose any remaining balance. The refund goes to your original payment method, not your Amazon account.
What happens to my Alexa devices if I close my Amazon account?
Alexa devices will no longer work after your account closes because they are tied to your Amazon login. You can set up a new Amazon account and sign your devices back in, but you will lose any routines, shopping lists, or preferences you had saved.
Can I reopen my account after the 30-day period ends?
No. After 30 days, the account is permanently deleted and cannot be reopened. You can create a new account with a different email address when ready, but you cannot use the same email for 180 days.
Will closing my account affect my credit score?
No. Closing an Amazon account has no effect on your credit. Amazon does not report account closures to credit bureaus. Your credit score is only affected by credit accounts like credit cards, loans, and lines of credit.
What if I have an Amazon Business account instead of a personal account?
Business accounts close through a different process. Sign in to your Business account, go to Account Settings, and look for the Business account closure option. The steps are similar, but Business accounts have additional considerations around invoices and purchase history that you should review before closing.