Question: How do I create and activate a new AWS account?

I'm getting started with AWS and I want to create and activate a new AWS account.

ResolutionSign up using your email addressOpen the Amazon Web Services (AWS) home page.Choose Create an AWS Account.Note: If you signed in to AWS recently, choose Sign in to the Console. If Create a new AWS account isn't visible, first choose Sign in to a different account, and then choose Create a new AWS account.In Root user email address, enter your email address, edit the AWS account name, and then choose Verify email address. An AWS verification email is sent to this address with a verification code.Tip: For Root user email address, use a corporate email distribution list (for example, it.admins@example.com) or email box if your account is a professional AWS account. Avoid using an individual's corporate email address (for example, paulo.santos@example.com). With this practice, your company can retain access to the AWS account even when an employee changes positions or leaves the company. The email address can be used to reset account credentials. Be sure that you protect access to these distribution lists. Don't use the AWS account root user login for your everyday tasks. It's a best practice to turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) on the root account to secure your AWS resources.Tip: For AWS Account name, use an account naming standard so that the account name can be recognized in your invoice or Billing and Cost Management console. If it's a company account, then consider using the naming standard of organization-purpose-environment (for example, ExampleCompany-audit-prod). If it's a personal account, consider using the naming standard of first name-last name-purpose (for example, paulo-santos-testaccount). You can change the account name in your account settings after you sign up. For more information, see How do I change the name on my AWS account?Verify your email addressEnter the code that you receive, and then choose Verify. The code might take a few minutes to arrive. Check your email and spam folder for the verification code email.Create your passwordEnter your Root user password and Confirm root user password, and then choose Continue.Add your contact informationSelect Personal or Business.Note: Personal accounts and business accounts have the same features and functions.Enter your personal or business information.Important: For business AWS accounts, it's a best practice to enter the company phone number rather than a personal cell phone number. Configuring a root account with an individual email address or a personal phone number can make your account insecure.Read and accept the AWS Customer Agreement.Choose Continue.You receive an email to confirm that your account is created. You can sign in to your new account using the email address and password that you registered with. However, you can't use AWS services until you finish activating your account.Add a payment methodOn the Billing information page, enter the information about your payment method, and then choose Verify and Add.If you're signing up for an Amazon Web Services India Private Limited (AWS India) account, then you must provide your CVV for the verification process. You might also have to enter a one-time password, depending on your bank. AWS India charges your payment method two Indian Rupees (INR), as part of the verification process. AWS India refunds the two INR after the verification is complete.If you want to use a different billing address for your AWS billing information, choose Use a new address. Then, choose Verify and Continue.Important: You can't proceed with the sign-up process until you add a valid payment method.Verify your phone numberOn the Confirm your identity page, select a contact method to receive a verification code.Select your phone number country or region code from the list.Enter a mobile phone number where you can be reached in the next few minutes.If presented with a CAPTCHA, enter the displayed code, and then submit.Note: To troubleshoot CAPTCHA errors, see What do I do if I receive an error when entering the CAPTCHA to sign in to my AWS account?In a few moments, an automated system contacts you.Enter the PIN that you receive, and then choose Continue.Customer verificationIf you're signing up with a billing or contact address located in India, then you must complete the following steps:Choose the Primary purpose of account registration for your account creation. If your account is tied to a business, then select the option that best applies to your business.Choose the Ownership type that best represents the owner of the account. If you select a company, organization, or partnership as the ownership type, then enter the name of a key managerial person. The key managerial person can be a director, head of operations, or a person in charge of operations in your business.Choose Continue.Choose an AWS Support planOn the Select a support plan page, choose one of the available Support plans. For a description of the available Support plans and their benefits, see Compare AWS Support plans.Choose Complete sign up.Wait for account activationAfter you choose a Support plan, a confirmation page indicates that your account is being activated. Accounts are usually activated within a few minutes, but the process might take up to 24 hours.You can sign in to your AWS account during this time. The AWS home page might display a Complete Sign Up button during this time, even if you've completed all the steps in the sign-up process.When your account is fully activated, you receive a confirmation email. Check your email and spam folder for the confirmation email. After you receive this email, you have full access to all AWS services.Troubleshooting delays in account activationAccount activation can sometimes be delayed. If the process takes more than 24 hours, check the following:Finish the account activation process. You might have accidentally closed the window for the sign-up process before you added all the necessary information. To finish the sign-up process, open the registration page. Choose Sign in to an existing AWS account, and then sign in using the email address and password you chose for the account.Check the information associated with your payment method. Check Payment Methods in the AWS Billing and Cost Management console. Fix any errors in the information.Contact your financial institution. Financial institutions occasionally reject authorization requests from AWS for various reasons. Contact your payment method's issuing institution and ask that they approve authorization requests from AWS.Note: AWS cancels the authorization request as soon as it's approved by your financial institution. You aren't charged for authorization requests from AWS. Authorization requests might still appear as a small charge (usually one USD) on statements from your financial institution.Check your email for requests for additional information. If additional information is needed for the account activation process, then an email is sent to the AWS account root user email address. Check your email and spam folder to see if AWS needs any information from you to complete the activation process. Then, respond with the requested information and your account will be reviewed for activation.Try a different browser.Contact AWS Support. If you have additional questions, or can't provide the requested information, then contact AWS Support. Be sure to mention any troubleshooting steps that you already tried. If you can't sign in to your account, then contact the AWS Account Verification team using the AWS Account Verification support form.Note: Don't provide sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, in any correspondence with AWS.Improving the security of your AWS accountTo help secure your AWS resources, see Security best practices in AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM).

Related informationWhat is the AWS Free Tier, and how do I use it?Avoiding unexpected chargesAfter I use AWS Organizations to create a member account, how do I access that account?What should I do if I didn't receive a call from AWS to verify my new account or the PIN I entered doesn't work?How do I resolve the "maximum number of failed attempts" error when I try to verify my AWS account by phone?