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How to Create Amazon KDP Account Step by Step for Authors

How to Create Amazon KDP Account: From Login to Your First Book-Ready Dashboard

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

  • You can set up a KDP account in 10–20 minutes if you have ID, tax, and bank details ready.
  • Use your legal name for payments, add a pen name later, and enable two-step verification for safety.
  • After account setup, move quickly from KDP to a finished ebook with BookAutoAI — including cover and EPUB tools to publish faster.

Table of Contents

Step-by-step: From Amazon login to your first book-ready dashboard

This guide explains how to create an Amazon KDP account and move from the login screen to a book-ready dashboard that’s ready for your first upload. If you prefer a focused walkthrough to double-check each step, see the Amazon KDP Account Setup guide for extra detail.

This walkthrough keeps things practical: what to click, what information you’ll need, and how to avoid the most common setup mistakes so payments and tax forms work cleanly.

Why this matters right now

Selling on Amazon KDP is the fastest way to reach readers. But the account setup is where many authors get stuck — missing bank details, tax forms, or using a pen name as the legal payout name.

Correct setup avoids royalty delays and tax headaches. Once the account is ready, you can use production tools to move from manuscript to market in hours, not weeks.

For authors focused on non-fiction, BookAutoAI is built to generate, humanize, format, and finish your book so it’s ready for upload to KDP, with professionally trained cover designs and an EPUB converter tuned for marketplace requirements.

What you should prepare before you start

Having these items ready cuts setup time to under 20 minutes:

  • A valid email address and access to its verification code.
  • Your full legal name and contact address (used for tax and payments).
  • A government ID or SSN/ITIN if you are a U.S. taxpayer (you’ll enter SSN/ITIN for tax).
  • Bank account details for royalty deposits (account number and routing or IBAN, depending on country).
  • Phone number for identity verification and optional two-step verification.

Step 1 — Start at KDP and choose sign-in or join

Go to the KDP website and click “Sign in” if you already have an Amazon account, or “Create your KDP account” / “Join KDP” to start a new one. Signing in with an existing Amazon account is normal and saves time, but note:

  • If your Amazon account is tied to a buyer profile or store, the same credentials can be used for publishing.
  • If you want separate credentials for publishing, create a new Amazon account before joining KDP.

When you register, Amazon will ask for an email address and password. You’ll receive a verification code by email or phone — enter it to continue.

Step 2 — Complete your account holder details

After sign-in, KDP prompts for account holder information. Important points:

  • Choose “Individual” or “Business” as appropriate. If you’re a sole author without a registered company, choose Individual.
  • Enter your legal name exactly as it appears on your tax documents. This is critical: Amazon pays royalties to the name on the tax and bank records. Use your pen name later in book setup.
  • Add your address and phone number. Amazon may use phone verification during the process.

Using a pen name in the legal name field is a common mistake. If the name on your tax forms or bank account doesn’t match the legal name you enter, Amazon may hold payments.

Use your legal identity for the account owner; your publisher name or pen name is only applied when you publish a title.

Step 3 — Add banking information for royalties

In the Payments section you’ll enter the bank account where Amazon will deposit royalties. Requirements vary by country:

  • U.S. authors provide routing and account numbers.
  • Many non-U.S. countries accept IBAN or account formats Amazon supports directly.
  • If Amazon doesn’t support deposits to your country, you may need an alternate payout method like a Payoneer account or a U.S. bank intermediary. Amazon’s help pages explain country-specific rules.

Double-check bank details carefully. A wrong digit can cause delays or returns. If your bank requires additional verification (some banks block international deposits), contact your bank in advance.

Step 4 — Submit tax information

KDP requires tax forms to comply with local and international tax reporting rules. The form you fill depends on your residency:

  • U.S. residents enter SSN or ITIN on the W-9 form.
  • Non-U.S. residents complete a W-8BEN form to claim any treaty benefits and provide a foreign tax ID if requested.

Be accurate. Mistakes on tax details can lead to incorrect withholding rates on royalties. If you’re unsure which form applies, Amazon’s help pages provide the specific guidance for U.S. and non-U.S. authors.

Step 5 — Set up account security

Enable two-step verification on your Amazon account for added security. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access to payments and unpublished manuscripts.

Add a recovery phone number and consider an authenticator app for better protection.

What happens after setup: your KDP dashboard

Once you’ve finished registration, banking, and tax forms, KDP shows your dashboard. From here you can:

  • Start a new Kindle eBook or paperback listing.
  • Track sales and reports.
  • Update royalty and tax details.

If you want to move fast from account to publishing, the best strategy is to have a fully formatted manuscript and a market-ready cover ready to upload. That’s where production tools make a real difference.

Move from KDP to a book-ready dashboard with BookAutoAI

After your KDP account is active, you’ll want a clean manuscript, a cover that sells at thumbnail size, and a correctly structured EPUB or print-ready PDF. BookAutoAI is built to handle each of these final steps quickly:

Cover design

BookAutoAI’s Cover Generator produces market-ready front covers that aren’t just images — they are designed using patterns from top-selling covers with readable title typography and correct visual hierarchy for thumbnails.

EPUB conversion

The EPUB Converter produces properly structured, store-ready EPUBs with correct metadata, embedded covers, and navigation that passes Kindle and other marketplace checks. If you need an EPUB that uploads cleanly, use the EPUB Converter.

Full book generation and formatting

For non-fiction authors, BookAutoAI can generate up to 25,000 words, humanize the writing to read naturally, and format the manuscript for KDP, Kobo, and Apple Books.

Write like a Human, Publish like an author. Using a system that builds books with marketplace signals in mind reduces the back-and-forth during KDP uploads and avoids common rejection or preview errors.

Common setup mistakes and how to avoid them

  • Using a pen name for tax/banking fields. Use your legal name for payments and taxes, then enter your pen name during book setup.
  • Skipping bank verification. If Amazon can’t verify your bank details, your royalty deposits will be delayed.
  • Entering incomplete tax info. Non-U.S. authors often overlook W-8BEN treaty fields — missing these can cause higher withholding.
  • Uploading a badly formatted EPUB or cover. Marketplace previews will show any formatting issues; use a proper EPUB converter and a cover designed for thumbnail legibility.

If you want more step-by-step screenshots or a walkthrough focused solely on account setup, our Amazon KDP Account Setup guide goes deeper and covers country-specific nuances.

How long does setup take?

With documents and bank details at hand, typical setup time is 10–20 minutes. Tax verification can be instant or take several days if Amazon requests additional documentation.

Plan for extra time if your bank is in an unsupported country or if you need intermediary payout services.

Publishing checklist after account setup

Before you click Publish, run this checklist:

  • Manuscript is proofread and formatted.
  • Title, subtitle, and author/pen name are finalized.
  • ISBN (for print) is assigned or you’ve chosen KDP’s free ISBN.
  • Front cover is market-ready and readable at thumbnail size (consider BookAutoAI’s Cover Generator).
  • EPUB or print PDF is validated (consider the EPUB Converter).
  • Book description, keywords, and categories are prepared for KDP metadata.

Why professional covers and correct EPUBs matter

Readers judge books by thumbnails. A cover that looks generic or unreadable at small sizes will decrease click-through rates.

Likewise, EPUBs that fail preview checks or have broken navigation can be rejected or produce poor reader experiences. Investing a little time in cover design and proper EPUB conversion improves discoverability and reduces support overhead.

Publishing paperback or ebook — a quick note

If you plan to publish both ebook and paperback, make sure your cover generator can create print-ready wrap covers and that your interior files are formatted for trim size and bleed.

For projects that include both formats, visit the BookAutoAI site to manage ebook and paperback creation consistently across formats: ebook and paperback creation.

Security and account maintenance

  • Review your payment and tax settings annually or when your circumstances change.
  • Update your bank account immediately if you change banks.
  • Keep your contact email and phone up to date; Amazon uses these for critical notifications.
  • Watch for phishing emails that mimic Amazon. Always visit the KDP website directly to log in.

When to contact Amazon support

Contact KDP support if:

  • Your bank deposit fails and Amazon requires additional documentation.
  • You see discrepancies in your royalty reports.
  • Amazon requests further tax verification.

Support can be reached through the help section inside your KDP dashboard.

Final thoughts

Setting up a KDP account is straightforward when you have the right documents and a step-by-step approach. Use your legal name for payments, complete tax forms correctly, and verify bank details to ensure timely royalties.

Once your account is active, move from the KDP dashboard to a publishable ebook faster by using tools that produce marketplace-ready covers and well-structured EPUBs.

Try Bookautoai and explore the demo book to see how these production tools speed the path from manuscript to marketplace.

FAQ

How long does verification take after I submit my tax and bank info?

Many authors complete verification instantly, but some cases require manual checks. Allow up to a few business days if Amazon flags documents for review.

Can I use a pen name on KDP?

Yes. Use your legal name in account settings for tax and payments. Your pen name is entered later when you publish a book as the author name.

What if Amazon doesn’t support direct bank deposits to my country?

Amazon lists supported payout countries. If your country isn’t supported, consider a service like Payoneer or a bank with a supported payout route. Check Amazon’s help pages for country-specific guidance and restrictions.

Are covers created by AI allowed on KDP?

Yes, as long as the cover follows Amazon’s content guidelines. Use a cover designed to meet marketplace signals — clear title typography and thumbnail readability — not just a generic AI image.

Do I need an ISBN for Kindle ebooks?

No — Kindle ebooks don’t require an ISBN. Print books do require an ISBN; you can use KDP’s free ISBN or supply your own.

Sources

How to Create Amazon KDP Account: From Login to Your First Book-Ready Dashboard Estimated reading time: 8 minutes You can set up a KDP account in 10–20 minutes if you have ID, tax, and bank details ready. Use your legal name for payments, add a pen name later, and enable two-step verification for safety. After…