How to Open an Amazon Seller Account: A Step-by-Step Guide

By Ampplify Academy · Updated 21 October 2026 · 6 min read

Opening an Amazon seller account is free, but the registration and identity check trip up many new sellers. Most delays come from mismatched details, not from Amazon being difficult. This guide walks through what to prepare and what happens at each step.

Before you start: what to prepare

• A government ID (passport or national ID) in the name of the account holder or company representative.
• A bank account that can receive payments in your selling marketplace's currency, or a payment service Amazon accepts for your country.
• A credit or debit card that can be charged internationally, for the monthly seller fee and any ad spend.
• A phone number and email address you control. Use one that will stay with the business.
• Proof of address such as a recent utility bill or bank statement, in the same name and address you type into the form.
• Tax details where the marketplace asks for them. Requirements differ by country, so check the registration page for yours.
• Company documents if you register as a business rather than an individual.

Step 1: choose your marketplace and account type

You register for a selling region, for example the US, the UK, the UAE or Saudi Arabia, and can later extend to other marketplaces in the same region. Amazon offers an Individual plan (pay per item sold) and a Professional plan (monthly fee). If you plan to sell more than a few dozen items a month, or want to run advertising and use bulk tools, the Professional plan is the usual choice.

Step 2: register with an email and business details

Create the account with your business email, then enter your legal name, address and phone number exactly as they appear on your documents. Even small differences, such as an abbreviated street name, can make verification fail.

Step 3: add payment and bank details

You will add the card for fees and the bank account for disbursements. The account holder name on the bank account should match the name on your seller account.

Step 4: identity verification

Amazon asks you to upload ID and proof of address, and often a short live video call or selfie check. Use clear photos of the whole document, in good light, with no glare or cropped corners. Do this on a stable connection and have the original documents with you.

Step 5: wait for the review

Review can take from a few hours to several days. If Amazon asks for more documents, answer with exactly what they request, in the same name and address already on the account. Do not open a second account while the first is under review, because that can cause both to be blocked.

Common mistakes that delay approval

• Typing details that do not match the ID or the bank account.
• Submitting blurry, cropped or expired documents.
• Using a card or phone number already linked to another Amazon seller account.
• Using a VPN or switching devices and locations during registration.
• Registering as an individual, then later needing company status, and having to start again.

After approval: what to do first

• Turn on two-step verification for the account.
• Check your seller profile, return address and tax information.
• Decide between FBA and FBM before you create listings. See our FBA vs FBM guide.
• Research your first product before you buy stock.

This guide is general information, not financial or legal advice. Amazon's fees and rules change, so always check the current pages in Seller Central before you decide.