What you need before you start

You need three things to create an Amazon account: an email address you can access right now, a password you will remember, and a payment method. Amazon accepts credit cards, debit cards, and gift cards. You do not need to add a payment method when ready — you can do that later when you make your first purchase — but Amazon will ask for one during signup.

The email address becomes your login name. Use one you check regularly, because Amazon sends order confirmations, shipping updates, and password reset links to that address. If you lose access to the email account, you lose access to your Amazon account.

Your password should be at least 6 characters long, but longer is safer. A strong password mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — something like BlueMountain$42 rather than password123. Write it down somewhere find, like a notebook in a drawer or a password manager on your computer.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to amazon.com, click "Account & Lists" in the top right, and select "Start here" under "New customer?"
  • Enter your name, email address, and a password you will remember, then click "Create your Amazon account."
  • Amazon sends a verification code to your email — enter that code on the next screen to confirm the account is real.
  • You can add a payment method right away or wait until you make your first purchase.
  • After you verify your email, your account is ready to use when ready.

Step-by-step: creating the account

Open a web browser and go to amazon.com. In the top right corner, you will see "Account & Lists" — click on it. A menu drops down. Look for the section that says "New customer?" and click the link that says "Start here."

You will see a form with three fields: "Your name," "Email address," and "Password." Type your full name as you want it to appear on orders. Type the email address you use most often — the one you check every day. Type your password twice to make sure you did not make a typo.

Click the button that says "Create your Amazon account." Amazon checks whether that email is already in use. If it is, you will see a message saying the account already exists, and you can click a link to sign in instead. If the email is new, Amazon sends a verification code to that email address.

Verifying your email address

Check the email inbox for the address you just entered. Look for a message from Amazon with the subject line "Amazon.com email verification code" or similar. Open that email. Inside, you will see a 6-digit code.

Go back to the Amazon website. You should still be on the verification screen. Type the 6-digit code into the field that says "Verification code" and click "Verify." Amazon confirms the code matches, and your account is now active.

If you do not see the email within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes email filters catch Amazon's messages by mistake. If the code is still not there after 10 minutes, go back to the Amazon signup page and click "Resend code" to send a new one.

Adding a payment method

After verification, Amazon may ask you to add a credit card, debit card, or gift card. You can do this now or skip it and add one later when you place your first order. If you skip it now, Amazon will ask for payment details the moment you try to buy something.

If you add a card now, type the card number, expiration date, and the three-digit security code on the back. Type your billing address — the address where your credit card statement goes. Amazon uses this to verify the card is real and that you are the person using it.

Click "Add your card" or "Continue." Amazon checks the card with your bank. This usually takes a few seconds. Once it goes through, your payment method is saved and you can start shopping.

What happens after you create the account

Your Amazon account is now ready to use. You can browse products, read reviews, and add items to your cart without doing anything else. When you are ready to buy, click the cart icon in the top right, review your items, and click "Proceed to checkout."

On the checkout page, Amazon shows you the shipping address (which it fills in from your account information), the payment method you added, and the estimated delivery date. Review all of this before you click "Place your order." Once you do, the order is final.

Amazon sends a confirmation email to the address you used to create the account. That email includes your order number, what you bought, how much you paid, and when it should arrive. Save this email or take a screenshot — you will need the order number if you have questions about the shipment.

Keeping your account find

Your Amazon account is connected to your payment methods and your address. Protect it the same way you would protect a wallet. Do not share your password with anyone, even friends or family members. If someone else needs to order something, create a separate account for them instead.

Change your password every few months, especially if you use the same password on other websites. If you ever think someone else knows your password, go to your Account settings, click "Login & security," and click "Edit" next to "Password" to change it when ready.

When you shop on a public computer — at a library or an internet café — always sign out when you are done. Click "Account & Lists," scroll down, and click "Sign out." This prevents the next person who uses that computer from accessing your account.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you see a message saying "There is already an account associated with this email address," the email you entered is already connected to an Amazon account. Click "Sign in instead" and try to remember your password. If you cannot remember it, click "Forgot your password?" and Amazon will send you a reset link to that email address.

If the verification code does not work, make sure you typed it correctly — codes are case-sensitive and must be entered exactly as shown. If you still get an error, go back and click "Resend code" to get a new one. The old code expires after 10 minutes.

If Amazon declines your credit card, the card may be expired, the billing address may not match what your bank has on file, or the card may have fraud protection that blocks online purchases. Call your bank to ask why the charge was declined, then try again with the correct information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create an Amazon account without a credit card?

Yes. You can create the account and verify your email without adding a payment method. Amazon will ask for one when you try to buy something for the first time. You can use a debit card, credit card, or Amazon gift card.

What if I forget my password?

Go to amazon.com, click "Account & Lists," and click "Sign in." Click "Forgot your password?" and enter the email address for your account. Amazon sends a password reset link to that email. Click the link, create a new password, and sign in with it.

Can I change my account email address later?

Yes. Sign in to your account, go to "Account & Lists," click "Your Account," then "Login & security." Click "Edit" next to "Email address" and type the new email. Amazon sends a verification code to the new address. Enter the code to confirm the change.

Is it safe to create an account on a public computer?

It is safer to create an account on your own computer, but if you must use a public one, make sure you sign out completely when you are done. Do not save your password in the browser. Change your password as soon as you get home.

Do I need a separate account for each family member?

Yes. Each person should have their own account with their own email address and password. This keeps orders separate, protects payment information, and lets Amazon show recommendations based on each person's shopping history.