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How to Create an Amazon Account (Step-by-Step Guide)

Creating an Amazon account takes about two minutes, but a few small choices during signup — your email address, password strength, and recovery phone — affect every order, refund, and login you make afterward. This guide walks through each screen so you start with a clean, secure account.

Before you start

You will need three things: a working email address you can open right now, a mobile phone that can receive SMS or voice calls, and a name that matches the one on the card you plan to pay with. Amazon does not require an ID document at signup, but using a real name and address from the start prevents address-mismatch holds later when you place your first order.

If you already shop on Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, or another regional site, note that those accounts do not automatically work on Amazon.com. Each Amazon marketplace is a separate account in most regions, though wishlists and recommendations can be linked once you sign in.

Step 1: Open the signup page

Go to amazon.com and click Account & Lists in the top right corner. Underneath the login form on the next page, choose Create your Amazon account. You can also tap the menu icon in the Amazon shopping app and pick Sign in → New customer? Start here.

The signup form is the same on desktop, mobile web, and the app — only the layout differs.

Step 2: Enter your details

You will be asked for four fields:

• Your name — full first and last name. This will appear on packing slips.
• Mobile number or email — either works. A mobile number lets you log in by OTP later, which is convenient on shared devices.
• Password — at least 6 characters, but pick something much longer. A 12+ character passphrase is far harder to compromise than a short string of symbols.
• Re-enter password — confirms there was no typo.

Click Continue. If the password is too weak, Amazon will tell you on the same page.

Step 3: Verify by OTP

Amazon sends a six-digit one-time code (OTP) to whichever contact method you provided. SMS arrives within seconds in most countries; voice calls and email may take a minute. Type the code into the verification box and click Create your Amazon account.

If the code does not arrive within two minutes, check that the phone number country code is correct, then use the Resend OTP link rather than starting over.

Step 4: Secure your account

You now have a usable account, but two small extra steps make a big difference:

1. Add a backup contact. Under Your Account → Login & security, add whichever of phone or email you did not use at signup. This is what Amazon falls back to if you ever lose access.
2. Turn on Two-Step Verification. Same screen, near the bottom. We recommend the authenticator-app option over SMS because SIM swaps are a real risk for high-value accounts.

Skipping these is fine for casual browsing, but if you plan to store a payment method or use Prime, do them once and you will not have to think about it again.

Common signup issues

"That email is already registered." Someone — possibly you, on a phone — already used it. Use Forgot your password? on the login screen instead of creating a duplicate.

OTP never arrives. Try a different network if you can. If your carrier blocks shortcode SMS, switch the contact method to email during signup.

"Your account has been put on hold." Amazon sometimes flags new accounts created over VPNs or from IP addresses recently used for fraud. Sign in normally, follow the verification email Amazon sends, and provide the requested document.

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