How to Open an Amazon Seller Account

The key point:

The documents Amazon requests depend mainly on where the business is legally registered, its legal structure, and the person opening the account - not simply whether the seller plans to sell on Amazon.ca or Amazon.com.

Opening an Amazon seller account is relatively straightforward when the correct information is prepared in advance. The problems usually begin when a legal business name, address, bank account, or identity document does not match the information entered during registration.
Whether a brand is preparing to sell on Amazon.ca, Amazon.com, or both, Amazon follows the same general registration stages. The exact documents can vary by country, business type, and the instructions displayed in the registration flow.

What You Need Before Opening an Amazon Seller Account

Before starting registration, have the following information and documents available:

  • 1. A business email address or an existing Amazon account.
  • 2. The exact legal business name, registration number, registered address, and phone number.
  • 3. The primary contact's full legal name, date of birth, citizenship, country of birth, residential address, and phone number.
  • 4. A valid government-issued photo ID for the primary contact.
  • 5. Proof of residential or business address dated within the last 180 days, such as a bank or credit-card statement, when requested.
  • 6. A bank account where Amazon can send sales proceeds.
  • 7. An internationally chargeable credit card with a valid billing address.
  • 8. Tax information applicable to the individual or business.
  • 9. Business ownership and legal-representative information.
  • 10. Basic information about the store, products, product codes, certifications, and brand or manufacturer status.

Amazon’s Five Registration Steps

Amazon’s current U.S. and Canadian registration guides follow the same five-step structure:

Select the country where the business is registered. If the seller is operating as an individual and does not have an incorporated business, select the country where the individual is doing business from.

Amazon will ask for the business type, exact legal business name, company registration number, registered address, and phone number. The legal name should match the applicable government registry. The public-facing Amazon store name is entered separately and does not need to be the same as the legal business name.

The primary contact is the person Amazon verifies as acting for the seller or business. Amazon uses a government-issued ID to collect or confirm the person’s full legal name, citizenship, country of birth, date of birth, and residential address.

For a registered business, the primary contact will also indicate whether they are a beneficial owner, a legal representative, or both. Amazon generally defines a beneficial owner as someone who directly or indirectly owns more than 25% of the shares or voting rights, or otherwise owns the business. If no one meets that threshold, a senior manager may be identified.

If the person opening the account is not legally authorized to act for the business, Amazon may request an authorization letter from a legal representative.

The deposit account must be held in the name of the primary contact or the business. Amazon may request a bank statement to confirm account ownership, but a bank statement is not automatically required in every registration.

Amazon also requires an internationally chargeable credit card for charges and selling fees. The card does not necessarily have to be in the name of the primary contact or business, but it must be accepted by Amazon and have a valid billing address.

Amazon will ask for the store name that customers will see. This name must be unique, but it does not need to match the legal business name. Sellers may also be asked about product codes, business certifications, and whether they manufacture products, own a brand, or resell products.

Product identifiers are commonly called Global Trade Item Numbers, or GTINs. These may include UPCs, EANs, ISBNs, or other recognized codes. In some situations, a product may qualify for a GTIN exemption.

Amazon’s current U.S. and Canadian registration guides state that sellers should be prepared to upload a government-issued ID and proof of address dated within the last 180 days, such as a bank or credit-card statement.

After uploading the documents, Amazon may ask the primary contact to:

  1. Take a photo of their face and government-issued ID.
  2. Join or schedule a video call with an Amazon associate.

If a video call is required, the primary contact should have the original government-issued ID and proof-of-address document available. A well-lit space, reliable internet connection, and working camera and microphone will help the call proceed smoothly.

Document Standards That Apply to Both Canada and the U.S.

Amazon’s current U.S. and Canadian registration guides follow the same five-step structure:

  • 1. Use high-quality colour scans or photos.
  • 2. Show all four corners of each document.
  • 3. Make sure all text is clear and legible.
  • 4. Do not use screenshots or blurry images.
  • 5. Make sure the ID is valid and unexpired.
  • 6. Submit signed documents when a signature is required.
  • 7. Do not upload password-protected files.
  • 8. Do not alter or redact a document unless Amazon specifically permits it.
  • 9. Follow the exact document list shown in the seller's own registration screen.

Canada and U.S. Considerations

Marketplace versus business location:

A Canadian company opening an account to sell on Amazon.com should generally use its Canadian legal information and documents. A U.S. company expanding to Amazon.ca should use its U.S. legal information. Selling in another marketplace does not change where the business is legally registered.

For Canadian businesses

Amazon may request the company’s federal or provincial registration information and Canadian tax information, such as a Business Number, where applicable. The exact legal name and registered address should match the relevant government records.

For U.S. businesses

Amazon distinguishes a company registration number from an Employer Identification Number. A corporation or LLC should use the company registration details issued through the applicable government or state record and provide EIN or other tax information in the appropriate tax fields.

For cross-border sellers

A seller does not automatically need a U.S. bank account simply because it plans to sell on Amazon.com. Amazon supports disbursements to bank accounts in eligible countries and currencies. Product compliance, tax, customs, labelling, and import requirements are separate from seller-account verification and should be reviewed before launching products in another country.

Business Type and Selling Plan Are Not the Same

One of the most confusing parts of Amazon registration is the use of the word individual. Amazon asks for both a legal business type and a selling plan, but these are different choices.

A person who does not have an incorporated business may select ‘None, I am an individual’ as the business type. Amazon separately offers Individual and Professional selling plans, which affect fees and available selling features. Selecting an Individual selling plan does not mean the seller’s legal business type must be an individual, and a corporation can choose the selling plan that fits its needs.

Common Reasons Verification Is Delayed

  • The legal business name does not match the government registration record.
  • A brand or store name was entered where Amazon requested the legal business name.
  • The business location or business type was selected incorrectly.
  • The primary contact's name, residential address, or date of birth does not match the ID.
  • The proof of address is older than the permitted date range.
  • The document is blurry, cropped, incomplete, black and white, or submitted as a screenshot.
  • The deposit account is not held in the primary contact's or business's name.
  • Beneficial-owner or legal-representative information is missing.
  • The document was edited or redacted without Amazon's permission.
  • The seller uploaded a document type that Amazon did not request.

How Long Does Amazon Verification Take?

Amazon says identity verification usually takes three business days or less. Some reviews take longer when Amazon requests additional documents or cannot verify information automatically. The seller should monitor the email address used for registration and check Seller Central for new instructions.

What to Do If Verification Fails

  • Read the verification notice carefully and identify what Amazon is requesting.
  • Compare the legal name, address, registration number, primary-contact information, and bank-account holder against the submitted documents.
  • Correct the information or obtain a compliant replacement document before resubmitting.
  • Use the upload or appeal channel provided on the verification page or in the notification.
  • If the instructions remain unclear and support is available, open a Seller Support case and include the relevant case history.

Do not open another seller account to bypass a failed verification. A second account may create additional complications if Amazon associates it with an account that is still under review or has been deactivated.

Can Amazon Ask You to Verify Again?

Yes. Amazon can request verification again after an account becomes active. Sellers should keep their legal entity, ownership, address, banking, tax, and contact information current in Seller Central. A material change to the account may require new documents or an additional review.

Final Account-Setup Checklist

  • Legal business name and registered address match government records.
  • Primary-contact information matches the government-issued ID.
  • Government-issued photo ID is valid, legible, and shows all four corners.
  • Proof of address is dated within the last 180 days or the period shown by Amazon.
  • Documents are clear, in colour, complete, and not password-protected.
  • Bank account is held in the name of the primary contact or business.
  • An internationally chargeable credit card is available.
  • Tax, beneficial-owner, and legal-representative information is complete where applicable.
  • Store and product information is ready.
  • Original documents and a working camera and microphone are available if a video call is required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Amazon provides connected North American marketplace access for eligible sellers, allowing them to manage offers in marketplaces such as Canada and the United States from Seller Central. Product listings, compliance, tax obligations, inventory, and pricing still need to be managed for each marketplace.

Not necessarily. A Canadian company can generally register using its Canadian legal business information. Separate U.S. tax, import, product-compliance, or operational requirements may still apply depending on the products and business model.

No. Bank-account information is required, but Amazon does not automatically require a bank statement in every registration. A statement may be requested as proof of address or to confirm account ownership.

Amazon’s current Canadian and U.S. registration guides say it should be dated within the last 180 days. Always follow the date requirement shown in the account.

No. Amazon may ask the primary contact to take a photo of their face and ID or to join or schedule a video call.

No. Amazon alone controls verification and approval. Next Success can help a brand organize its account information and review documents for consistency before submission or resubmission.

Official Amazon Sources

Important: This guide reflects Amazon’s public U.S. and Canadian registration information reviewed on July 31, 2026. Amazon may update its process or request different documents based on the seller’s country, business type, or account. The instructions displayed during registration control.

Need Help Setting Up Your Amazon Seller Account?

Next Success helps brands launch, manage, and grow on Amazon.ca and Amazon.com. Our team can review account information for consistency, help organize the documents Amazon requests, and support a seller preparing to submit or resubmit verification information. Amazon retains sole authority over verification and approval.

Talk to a Next Success Amazon specialist: www.nextsuccess.com

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