Amazon account cancellation is a permanent action that closes your account and removes your stored payment methods, addresses, and order history
When you cancel an Amazon account, Amazon deletes your login credentials and personal information within 90 days. You lose access to your Prime membership if you have one, though you can request a refund for the unused portion of your subscription depending on how long remains. Any digital content you purchased — Kindle books, movies, music — stays in your Amazon library but becomes inaccessible once your account closes. Physical orders already placed will still arrive; cancellation only stops future purchases.
The cancellation process itself takes about two minutes and happens entirely through your account settings. Amazon does not require you to call or email; you initiate it yourself. However, Amazon will ask you to confirm your reason for leaving and may offer you a discount to stay. If you proceed, your account closes immediately, though the backend deletion of your data takes up to 90 days.
Key Takeaways
- You cancel through Account Settings under "Close your account," not through customer service, and the process is immediate once you confirm.
- Any unused portion of an active Prime membership may be refunded, but the refund amount depends on your subscription date and current billing cycle.
- Digital purchases like Kindle books and Prime Video rentals become inaccessible after cancellation, though physical orders already placed will still ship.
- Amazon keeps a record of your account for 90 days before permanently deleting your personal data, addresses, and payment methods.
Step-by-step process to close your account
Log into your Amazon account and go to Account & Lists in the top right corner. Select Your Account from the dropdown menu, then scroll down and click Login & Security. On that page, scroll to the bottom and look for the link that says Close your account. Click it.
Amazon will show you a page explaining what happens when you close your account. Read through the warnings — they cover the loss of Prime membership, digital content access, and the permanent nature of the action. At the bottom of this page, you will see a text box asking you to type a reason for closing your account. This is optional; you can leave it blank or write something brief. Then click the button to confirm closure. Your account closes immediately.
If you cannot find the Close Your Account link, you may have an older account type or a business account. Business accounts (Amazon Business, Seller Central) have different closure procedures. If you are a seller, you must close your seller account separately through Seller Central before closing your personal account.
What happens to your Prime membership and refunds
If you have an active Prime membership, cancellation ends it immediately. Whether you receive a refund depends on how much of your subscription period remains. Amazon refunds the unused portion on a prorated basis — meaning if you paid $139 for a year and cancel after three months, you would receive roughly $104 back (nine months of unused service). The refund goes back to the payment method you used to purchase the membership.
The refund does not happen automatically. After you close your account, contact Amazon Customer Service with your order number for the Prime subscription. They will process the refund, which typically appears in your account within 5 to 10 business days. If you paid with a credit card, the refund shows as a credit on that card's statement. If you used a gift card balance, the refund returns to your Amazon account — but since your account is closed, you will not be able to access it. For this reason, request the refund before closing your account if you used a gift card.
Digital content and purchases you lose access to
Cancellation makes the following permanently inaccessible: Kindle books and textbooks, Prime Video rentals and purchases, Prime Music, Audible audiobooks, and any apps or games you purchased through the Amazon Appstore. You do not own these items in the traditional sense; you own a license to access them through your account. Once the account closes, the license ends.
Physical books, electronics, and other items you bought are yours to keep. If you have an order in progress when you cancel, it will still arrive. You can still return items within the standard return window even after your account closes, though you will need to contact Amazon Customer Service to process the return since you cannot log in. Save your order confirmation emails before closing your account so you have proof of purchase and order numbers.
If you have a Kindle device, you can download your books to the device before closing your account. Once your account closes, you cannot download new books to it, but books already on the device remain readable. Kindle apps on your phone or tablet will lose access to your library once you sign out.
What data Amazon keeps and for how long
Amazon does not immediately delete your personal information when you close your account. For 90 days after closure, your data remains in Amazon's systems in case you change your mind or need to dispute a charge. After 90 days, Amazon deletes your name, address, phone number, email, payment methods, and order history. Your account cannot be reactivated after this 90-day window closes.
During those 90 days, you can contact Amazon Customer Service and ask them to reopen your account. They will restore your account with all your data intact. After 90 days, reactivation is not possible; you would have to create a new account from scratch. If you think you might want to return, you can simply stop using your account instead of closing it. Inactive accounts do not incur charges and can be reactivated at any time.
Alternatives to full account closure
If you want to stop using Amazon but are not certain about permanent closure, consider deactivating instead. You can remove your payment methods, delete your addresses, and unsubscribe from Prime without closing the account. Your order history stays in the system, and you can reactivate whenever you want. This takes a few minutes and gives you a 90-day window to change your mind without losing everything.
If you are closing because of a specific problem — unwanted charges, a security concern, or a billing dispute — contact Amazon Customer Service first. They can often resolve the issue without requiring closure. If you are closing because you prefer a competitor, note that you can keep your account open and simply not use it. There is no annual fee for an inactive account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen my account after I close it?
Yes, but only within 90 days of closure. Contact Amazon Customer Service and ask them to reactivate your account. They will restore your data, order history, and addresses. After 90 days, the account is permanently deleted and cannot be reopened. You would have to create a new account with a different email address.
Will I get a refund for my Prime membership?
You may receive a prorated refund for the unused portion of your Prime subscription, but you must request it from Customer Service after closing your account. Provide your Prime order number. The refund goes back to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days. If you paid with a gift card balance, request the refund before closing your account.
What happens to my Kindle books after I close my account?
Kindle books become inaccessible once your account closes. You cannot download new books or read them through the Kindle app. Books already downloaded to a Kindle device will remain readable on that device, but you cannot add new books to it. Download all books you want to keep before closing your account.
Do I have to call Amazon to close my account?
No. You close your account entirely through your Account Settings by clicking "Close your account" at the bottom of the Login & Security page. The process is self-service and takes about two minutes. You do not need to contact Customer Service unless you want to request a Prime refund or reopen your account within 90 days.
What if I have an outstanding order or return in progress?
Orders already placed will still arrive after you close your account. Returns can still be processed, but you will need to contact Amazon Customer Service since you cannot log in. Save your order confirmation emails before closing so you have the order numbers and proof of purchase for any returns or disputes.