How to Open an Amazon KDP Account: A Self-Publishing Beginner's Guide
It’s time.
You’ve laid all the groundwork. You created a pen name. You wrote your bio. You posed for your author photo. You crafted your first book. You had it edited by a professional. You submitted it for copyright. You purchased your ISBN’s. You constructed all the pieces and formatted it into a ready-to-be-published file. You commissioned a cover that rocks and fits the genre your book is in. You wrote a synopsis and then edited that down to the perfect blurb. You researched categories, keywords, and pricing and have them all ready to copy and paste. You’ve made decisions about DRM, Kindle Unlimited, and Distribution. You gathered all your banking information. You read and re-read the Amazon Terms of Service until you know them inside and out. There’s an outrageous amount of caffeine coursing through your bloodstream.
It's time to open an account with Amazon and publish this thing!
But how exactly do you start? If you’ve ever felt like you're standing at the edge of a canyon marked “Tech Stuff” with no bridge in sight, this article is for you.
Opening an Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) account is the very first step on your self-publishing journey, and it's a lot easier than it seems — once someone walks you through it.
In this guide, I’ll teach you, step-by-step, how to set up your Amazon KDP account, what decisions you’ll need to make along the way (like choosing a personal vs. business account), and what happens next.
By the end of this article, you’ll be all set up and ready to load your first book into the world’s largest self-publishing platform.
KDP Account Rules: What You Need to Know
Amazon KDP has a few rules you’ll want to understand upfront:
You must be at least 18 years old.
You need an Amazon account (which you can create during the process).
You’ll need to provide banking details, a valid tax identification number, and address information.
One person or entity is allowed only one KDP account.
If you break the content or royalty rules, Amazon may suspend or terminate your account, so always play by the rules.
You’ll also choose between a personal account or a business account, depending on how you’re set up legally. If you have yet to make this decision, STOP RIGHT NOW and visit the "Setting up a Publishing Company" module in Author Resources. At a minimum, read the first article there and make a decision now before moving on.
Personal vs. Business Accounts: What’s the Difference?
If you're just publishing under your own name and haven’t formed a legal business entity like an LLC, then you’ll use a personal KDP account. This means Amazon will report your income to the IRS under your name and Social Security Number (SSN).
If you’ve formed an LLC or corporation, and you have a separate business bank account and EIN (Employer Identification Number), then you can set up a business KDP account instead. This gives your publishing business a more professional look and can offer tax benefits, depending on your setup.
Both account types function the same on the KDP platform — it's the tax reporting and payment side that differs. Either way, you’ll need to complete Amazon’s tax interview to get started.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Some authors accidentally:
Use a nickname instead of their legal name during sign-up. Today you need to be Nicolas and not Nick.
Forget to enter correct banking info (leading to payment delays)
Skip the tax interview, which freezes publishing privileges
Create multiple KDP accounts (against Amazon’s rules)
As you go through the process, double-check each step, and if you’re ever unsure, Amazon’s KDP Help section is actually quite good.
Step-by-Step: How to Open an Amazon KDP Account
Let’s break it down into friendly, manageable steps.
Step 1: Go to the Kindle Direct Publishing Website
Head over to kdp.amazon.com. This is the official portal. Click the "Sign up" button in the top right.
If you already have an Amazon account (the one you use to shop), use that login. If not, click "Create your Amazon account" to make a new one.
Step 2: Accept the Terms of Use
Once logged in, you’ll land on the KDP Dashboard. Before you can do anything, you’ll need to agree to Amazon’s Terms and Conditions.
This is standard stuff, mostly confirming you’ll follow their rules and not upload pirated content. Be sure to read through the terms if this is your first time.
Step 3: Complete Your Author/Publisher Information
You’ll now need to enter your legal name, address, and preferred display name — this is how Amazon knows who you are and where to send your royalties.
If you’re publishing under a pen name, you can use that later for your author name, but your account name must match your legal identity.
Step 4: Add Your Payment Information
Here’s where you plug in your banking details. Amazon pays royalties via direct deposit (no paper checks), so you’ll need:
Bank name
Account number
Routing number
Account type (checking/savings)
Currency/country
If you live outside the U.S., Amazon still offers international payment in many countries, often in your local currency.
Step 5: Complete the Tax Interview
Don’t let the word “interview” scare you. This is an online form, and Amazon walks you through it.
You’ll be asked:
Whether you’re an individual or a business
Your country of tax residence
Your TIN/SSN or EIN
Whether you qualify for tax treaty benefits (if applicable)
Once complete, you’ll be able to download a W-9 or W-8BEN for your records. Amazon will handle the rest.
Step 6: Start Publishing
Once all that’s done, your KDP account is live and ready. Now you can upload your eBooks and print books.
I’ll cover that step-by-step in another article, for now you can smile as you have taken a big step toward getting your books in front of readers all over the world.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Some authors accidentally:
Use a nickname instead of their legal name during sign-up. Today, you need to be Nicolas and not Nick.
Forget to enter correct banking info (leading to payment delays)
Skip the tax interview, which freezes publishing privileges
Create multiple KDP accounts (against Amazon’s rules)
Double-check each step, and if you’re ever unsure, Amazon’s KDP Help section is actually quite good.
Final Thoughts: You’re Officially a Publisher Now
Congratulations — opening an Amazon KDP account means you’re no longer aspiring. You’ve officially stepped into the world of self-publishing.
Setting up your KDP account is a one-time process, and from here forward, it’s all about writing and publishing.
Stay tuned for the next guide on how to upload and publish your first book through KDP. And don’t forget to check out ScribeCount — your future self will thank you.
Now go forth, author — your account is open and your readers are waiting.
