How to Set Up an Amazon KDP Account: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Setting up your Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) account is the essential first step to sharing your book with the world. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step walkthrough to help you create your account correctly, avoid common pitfalls, and understand the important requirements for payments and taxes.

What You Need Before You Start

Before you begin, gather the following information to ensure a smooth setup process:

Requirement	Details & Notes
Legal Name & Address	Your full legal name and current physical address. This must match your government-issued ID.
Valid Email & Phone	For account creation and mandatory two-step verification.
Bank Account Details	Account number, routing number, and the exact legal name on the account.
Tax Information	Your Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN) if you’re a U.S. person. Non-U.S. persons need their foreign Tax Identification Number (TIN) if claiming a tax treaty.
Government-Issued ID	A passport or driver’s license may be required for identity verification.

How to Set Up an Amazon KDP Account: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Visit the Official KDP Website and Sign In

Navigate to kdp.amazon.com. If you have an existing Amazon shopping account, use it to sign in. Using your existing account can simplify future tasks like ordering author copies. If you don’t have one, click “Sign up” to create a new Amazon account.

Step 2: Navigate to Your Account Dashboard

After signing in, you’ll land on your KDP Bookshelf. To complete your setup, click on “Your Account” in the top-right menu. You will be prompted to complete Two-Step Verification at this point. You can receive the one-time password via text, voice call, or an authenticator app like Google Authenticator.

Step 3: Complete Your Identity Information

Under “Your Identity,” enter your personal details. This is a critical step:

• Use your legal name exactly as it appears on your government ID (e.g., passport, driver’s license). Do not enter a pen name here.
• For businesses (LLC, corporation), enter the details of the authorized representative.
• Your account may be selected for identity verification, requiring you to upload a photo of your ID. Access to publishing features is restricted until this is completed if requested.

Step 4: Set Up Your Payment Information

Go to the “Getting Paid” section to add your bank details. KDP encourages Direct Deposit (Electronic Funds Transfer) as it is fast, secure, and often has no minimum payment threshold.

• Enter the account holder name, account number, and routing number with precision.
• International Authors: If your country is not listed for direct deposit, services like Wise can provide U.S. or EU bank details you can use. Note that you can only receive payouts in the local currency of the bank details you provide.

Step 5: Complete the Tax Information Interview (The Most Important Step)

This is a mandatory process for all publishers. Click “Complete Tax Information” to start the interview. This determines your correct tax withholding rate.

• For U.S. Persons: You will provide your SSN or EIN. The name you enter must match the name on file with the IRS exactly (e.g., if your Social Security card says “Robert,” do not use “Bob”). You will electronically sign a Form W-9.
• For Non-U.S. Persons: You will provide your foreign Tax Identification Number (TIN) if you have one and are claiming tax treaty benefits to reduce the standard 30% withholding rate. You will complete a Form W-8. You can submit the form without a TIN, but the reduced rate won’t apply until you provide it.

Pro Tip: Take your time. Incorrect or mismatched information (especially between your name and TIN) is a common cause of delays and an “Incomplete” tax status, which will prevent you from publishing.

[Amazon KDP Terms and Conditions 2026]

After Account Setup: What to Do Next

Once your tax status shows as “Complete,” you are ready to publish. Return to your KDP Bookshelf and click “Create a New Title.” Before you publish, explore these resources in the “Help” section:

• Publishing Guide: For step-by-step upload instructions.
• Pricing and Royalty Calculator: To understand your earnings.
• KDP Select: To learn about the Kindle Unlimited program.

Crucial Mistakes to Avoid

• Mixing Legal Name and Pen Name: Your pen name belongs in the book details during title setup, not in your account’s legal name or tax information.
• Inaccurate Bank Details: The name on the bank account must perfectly match the name in your KDP payment settings. Nicknames or abbreviations can cause payment failures.
• Creating Multiple Accounts: Manage all your books under one account unless you have a legally separate business entity. Multiple personal accounts violate Amazon’s terms.
• Ignoring Tax Interview Updates: You must retake the tax interview if your legal name, address (to another country), or business TIN changes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Key Summary:

1. Accuracy is Paramount: Your legal name, tax information, and bank details must be consistent and match your official documents.
2. Tax Interview is Mandatory: You cannot publish until your tax information is submitted and shows a status of “Complete.”
3. Secure Your Account: Enable and maintain two-step verification for safety.
4. Separate Identity from Brand: Use your legal name for the account; use your pen name for your books.
5. Use Official Resources: For the most current policies, always refer to the official KDP Help pages linked within your account.