The steps to connect your bank account
To add a checking account to Amazon, go to Your Account in the top right corner, then select Login & security. Scroll down to find Manage payment methods and click Add a bank account. Amazon will ask for your routing number and account number — both appear on the bottom left of your checks, or you can find them by logging into your bank's website.
Enter those numbers, then add your name and address exactly as they appear on your bank records. Amazon will verify the account by making two small deposits (usually under $1 each) to your checking account within one to two business days. Once you see those deposits, return to Amazon, enter the amounts, and your account will be confirmed.
The entire process from start to finish typically takes three to five business days. You do not need to visit your bank in person or call them — Amazon handles the verification electronically.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number and account number are on the bottom of your checks, or available through your bank's online portal.
- Amazon verifies your account by depositing two small amounts and asking you to confirm those amounts — this is normal and takes one to two business days.
- You must enter your name and address exactly as your bank has them on file, or verification will fail.
- Once verified, your checking account can be used for purchases, refunds, and Amazon Pay transactions.
Where to find your routing and account numbers
The easiest place to find both numbers is the bottom left corner of any check you have. The first set of nine digits is your routing number (also called the ABA number). The second set of digits, which is usually longer, is your account number.
If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for Account Details, Account Information, or Routing Number. Most banks display both numbers in one place. You can also call your bank's customer service line — they will read both numbers to you over the phone.
Do not confuse your account number with your card number. Your card number is on the front of your debit or credit card. Your account number is tied to your checking account itself and appears on statements and checks.
What happens during the verification process
After you enter your routing and account numbers, Amazon sends two deposits to your checking account. These are real money — usually between 1 cent and 99 cents each. They arrive within one to two business days, depending on your bank's processing speed.
When the deposits show up in your account, go back to Amazon and enter the exact amounts you received. Amazon compares what you enter to what they sent. If the amounts match, your account is verified and ready to use.
If the amounts do not match or you enter them incorrectly, Amazon will ask you to try again. You get three attempts before the verification fails and you have to start over with a new bank account.
Why Amazon needs your exact name and address
Banks use name and address matching as a fraud prevention step. If the name or address you give Amazon does not match what your bank has on file for that account, the verification deposits may be rejected or delayed.
Check your bank statement or account details page to see exactly how your name appears — whether it includes a middle initial, suffix, or nickname. Use that same format when you enter it into Amazon. The same applies to your address: include the apartment or unit number if your bank has it, and use the same spelling and abbreviations.
If you recently moved and have not updated your address with your bank, update it first before adding the account to Amazon. This takes one to three business days at most banks.
What to do if verification fails
If the two deposits do not arrive after three business days, check that you entered the routing number correctly. A single wrong digit will cause the deposits to go to the wrong bank or account. Go back to Manage payment methods, delete the account, and try again with the correct routing number.
If you entered the amounts incorrectly three times and verification failed, you will need to remove that account and add it again from the beginning. Amazon will send new verification deposits to the same account, so you do not lose money — you just start the process over.
If your bank rejected the deposits because of a name or address mismatch, update your bank account information first, then remove the account from Amazon and add it again. Do not try to re-verify the old entry.
Using your checking account after it is verified
Once verified, your checking account appears in your Payment methods list and can be used for any Amazon purchase. You can set it as your default payment method so it is automatically selected at checkout, or choose it individually for each order.
Your checking account can also receive refunds. If you return an item or cancel an order, Amazon will send the refund back to the same checking account you used to pay. Refunds typically arrive within three to five business days after Amazon processes them.
You can also use your verified checking account with Amazon Pay, which lets you pay for purchases on other websites using your Amazon account and bank details. This is optional — you do not have to use it.
Removing or changing your bank account
To remove a checking account from Amazon, go to Your Account, then Login & security, then Manage payment methods. Find the account you want to remove and click the Delete button next to it. The account is removed immediately and cannot be used for new purchases.
Any refunds that were already processed to that account will still arrive — removing the account does not stop a refund in progress. If you want to add a different checking account, repeat the process from the beginning with the new routing and account numbers.
You can have multiple checking accounts connected to Amazon at the same time. This is useful if you have accounts at different banks or want to keep personal and business accounts separate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a debit card to add a checking account to Amazon?
No. Amazon only needs your routing number and account number, which are tied to your checking account itself. You do not need a debit card, and you do not need to provide card information. The verification process works the same way whether or not you have a debit card for that account.
Can I add a savings account instead of a checking account?
Amazon's process is designed for checking accounts, but some banks allow you to use a savings account routing and account number. Contact your bank to ask whether your savings account has a routing number. If it does, you can try adding it to Amazon using the same steps. Verification works the same way.
What if I entered my information wrong and the verification deposits went to the wrong account?
The deposits went to whatever account the routing number belongs to. If you used the wrong routing number, contact that bank to report the deposits and ask them to return the money. Then remove the account from Amazon and add it again with the correct routing number.
How long does it take to use my checking account after I add it?
The verification deposits arrive within one to two business days. Once you confirm the amounts, your account is active immediately and can be used for purchases right away. The entire process from start to finish is usually three to five business days.
Can I use the same checking account on multiple Amazon accounts?
No. Each checking account can only be connected to one Amazon account. If you try to add the same account to a different Amazon account, the system will reject it. You would need a different checking account for each Amazon account.