AWS account deletion is permanent and removes all your services, data, and billing

When you delete an AWS account, Amazon removes everything associated with it: all running instances, stored data, databases, backups, and billing records. The deletion is final — you cannot recover the account or its contents afterward. Before you start, make sure you have downloaded or backed up anything you need, stopped all running services, and confirmed there are no outstanding charges or reserved instances you cannot cancel.

The deletion process takes about 90 days to complete. During that time, your account enters a suspended state where you cannot use any services, but AWS keeps the data in case you change your mind. After 90 days, AWS permanently deletes everything. If you think you might need the account again within that window, you can contact AWS Support to reactivate it.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting an AWS account removes all services, data, and billing history permanently after 90 days, so back up anything you need first.
  • You must stop all running instances, delete databases and storage, and remove any reserved instances before requesting deletion.
  • Outstanding charges, unpaid invoices, or active support plans will block the deletion request until you resolve them.
  • The account enters a 90-day suspension period after deletion is requested, during which you can still contact AWS Support to cancel the deletion.
  • You delete the account through the AWS Billing and Cost Management console, not through your account settings.

Stop all running services before requesting deletion

AWS will not let you delete an account that has active resources. Log into the AWS Management Console and go to each service you use — EC2 instances, RDS databases, S3 buckets, Lambda functions, and any others — and stop or delete them. This includes anything running in the background that you may have forgotten about.

For EC2 instances, go to the Instances page, select each instance, and choose Terminate. For RDS databases, select the database and choose Delete, then confirm you do not want a final snapshot (unless you need to keep the data). For S3 buckets, empty each bucket first by selecting all objects and deleting them, then delete the bucket itself. Check CloudWatch, Lambda, DynamoDB, and any other services you have used — even stopped instances or empty databases can prevent deletion.

If you have reserved instances that you purchased upfront, you cannot delete them, but you can request a refund through AWS Support. Contact them before you request account deletion and explain that you are closing the account. They may approve a partial refund depending on how long ago you purchased the reservation.

Resolve all billing issues and remove payment methods

Your account must have a zero balance before deletion. Go to the Billing and Cost Management console, select Bills, and check whether you have any outstanding charges. If you do, pay the invoice when ready. If you have a credit balance (money AWS owes you), AWS will not let you delete the account until that credit expires or you contact Support to request a refund.

Remove all payment methods from your account. Go to Billing and Cost Management, select Payment Methods, and delete every credit card or bank account on file. If you have an active AWS Support plan, you must cancel it first — go to Support Plans and choose to downgrade to the free tier.

Request account deletion through the Billing console

Once all services are stopped and billing is clear, go to the AWS Billing and Cost Management console. In the left menu, scroll down and select Account. On the Account page, look for the option to close your account (the exact wording may vary, but it is usually near the bottom). Click it and confirm your request.

AWS will ask you to confirm that you understand the deletion is permanent and that all data will be removed. You may also be asked to provide a reason for closing the account. After you confirm, the account enters suspension status. You will receive an email confirming the request.

What happens during the 90-day suspension period

After you request deletion, you cannot use any AWS services. The account is locked and you cannot log in to use the console or APIs. However, AWS keeps all your data during this 90-day window in case you change your mind.

If you realize you need the account back, contact AWS Support within the 90 days and request that they cancel the deletion. They can reactivate the account and restore access to your services and data. After 90 days, the deletion becomes permanent and Support cannot reverse it.

Alternatives if you want to keep some data or services

If you only want to stop using AWS but need to keep some data, consider keeping the account open instead of deleting it. You can delete individual services and data while keeping the account active. This way, if you need AWS again in the future, you can reuse the same account without going through the creation process.

If you have data in S3 that you want to keep, read it before you delete the bucket. For RDS databases, create a snapshot or export the data to a file. For EC2 instances, create an AMI (Amazon Machine Image) before terminating the instance. You can store these backups on your own computer or in another cloud service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete just part of my AWS account and keep the rest?

No, account deletion removes everything. If you only want to stop using certain services, delete those services individually and keep the account open. You can always delete more services later or delete the account entirely if you change your mind.

What if I have data I need but forgot to back it up?

If you request deletion and then realize you need the data, contact AWS Support within the 90-day suspension period and ask them to cancel the deletion. They can reactivate your account so you can access and read your data. After 90 days, recovery is not possible.

Will deleting my AWS account affect other Amazon accounts or services?

No, your AWS account is separate from your Amazon retail account, Prime membership, or other Amazon services. Deleting your AWS account does not affect those. However, if you used the same email address to create both, make sure you have access to that email before deletion.

What if I have an outstanding support case when I try to delete?

AWS will not let you delete the account if you have an open support case. Close or resolve all cases first, or contact Support and ask them to close the cases for you. Then you can proceed with the deletion request.

Do I need to do anything after the 90 days is over?

No, AWS automatically completes the deletion after 90 days. You do not need to take any action. The account and all associated data are permanently removed from AWS systems.