What you need to do to link a checking account
To add a checking account to Amazon, you go to your account settings, find the payment methods section, and enter your bank's routing number and your account number. Amazon uses this information to verify the account is yours, then stores it so you can use it to pay for purchases or load money into an Amazon balance.
The process takes about five minutes to enter the information. Verification—where Amazon confirms the account actually belongs to you—happens separately and can take one to two business days. During that time, your account is linked but not yet usable for payments.
You do not need to read anything or use your bank's app. Amazon handles the connection directly with the banking system, using the routing and account numbers you provide.
Key Takeaways
- You need your checking account's routing number and account number, both of which appear on the bottom left of your checks or in your bank's online portal.
- Amazon verifies ownership by making two small deposits to your account, which you then report back to Amazon—this takes one to two business days.
- Once verified, the account appears in your payment methods and you can use it to pay for orders or load money into your Amazon balance.
- If verification fails, the most common reason is a mistyped routing or account number; you can delete the account and try again with the correct numbers.
Finding your routing and account numbers
Your routing number identifies your specific bank branch. Your account number identifies your individual account within that bank. Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have from that account, in this order: routing number, then account number, then check number.
If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or app and look for account details, account information, or account summary. Most banks display both numbers there. Some banks also print them on statements or debit cards, though the debit card usually shows only the account number.
Do not confuse your account number with your debit card number. They are different. If you enter your card number instead of your account number, verification will fail.
The steps to add the account in Amazon
Open Amazon.com and sign into your account. Click on the account menu (usually your name or "Account" in the top right), then select "Your Account." Look for "Payment options" or "Manage payment methods"—the exact wording varies slightly by region.
Click "Add a payment method" or "Add bank account." Select "Checking account" as the type. Enter your bank's name, your routing number, and your account number in the fields provided. Amazon may also ask for the account holder's name and address, which should match the name and address on your Amazon account.
Review the information for typos, then click to confirm. Amazon will tell you that verification is pending and may take one to two business days. You can close the page; you do not need to do anything else until verification is complete.
How Amazon verifies the account is yours
Within one to two business days, Amazon deposits two small amounts—usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each—into your checking account. These deposits appear in your bank account with a description that includes a code, usually something like "AMZN VERIF" followed by numbers.
Once you see both deposits in your account, go back to Amazon's payment methods page. Find the checking account you just added and click "Verify now" or a similar button. Amazon will ask you to enter the two deposit amounts. Type them in exactly as they appear in your bank account.
If you enter the amounts correctly, Amazon confirms the account is verified within seconds. The account is now active and you can use it to pay for purchases. If you enter the amounts incorrectly, Amazon tells you when ready and lets you try again.
What happens if verification fails
The most common reason verification fails is a typo in the routing or account number when you first entered it. If the deposits never arrive in your account after three business days, the number was likely wrong.
Delete the account from your payment methods and add it again, checking the routing and account numbers against your checks or bank portal. Make sure you are copying from the correct bank—if you have accounts at multiple banks, it is straightforward to grab the wrong routing number.
If you entered the deposit amounts incorrectly when verifying, you get another chance to try. Amazon usually allows three attempts before you have to delete and re-add the account.
Using your checking account on Amazon
Once verified, your checking account appears in your payment methods list. When you check out on Amazon, you can select it as your payment method just like a credit card. Amazon charges your account when ready, and the transaction appears in your checking account within one to two business days, depending on your bank.
You can also use a linked checking account to load money into your Amazon balance, which is a prepaid balance you can spend on anything Amazon sells. This is useful if you want to budget in advance or if you prefer not to charge individual purchases to your bank account.
You can delete the account from your payment methods at any time. This does not affect your bank account—it only removes it from Amazon's system. If you want to use it again later, you have to add it and verify it again.
Security and what Amazon does with this information
Amazon does not store your full account number after verification. It stores a tokenized version—a code that represents your account without exposing the actual number. This means even if Amazon's payment system were breached, someone could not use the token to access your bank account directly.
The two verification deposits are Amazon's way of confirming you have access to the account. If someone else tried to add your account without your permission, they would not be able to see the deposits in your account and could not complete verification.
Your bank may also send you a notification when Amazon makes the verification deposits. This is normal and is part of your bank's fraud detection. You do not need to do anything in response.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a savings account instead of a checking account?
Amazon's payment system is designed for checking accounts. Some banks allow you to use a savings account routing and account number, but Amazon may reject it during verification. If you only have a savings account, contact your bank about whether they can provide checking account numbers or open a checking account.
What if the two verification deposits never show up?
Wait three business days from when you added the account. Bank processing times vary. If they still have not arrived after three days, the routing or account number was likely incorrect. Delete the account and add it again with the correct numbers from your checks or bank portal.
Can I use the same checking account on multiple Amazon accounts?
No. Each checking account can be linked to only one Amazon account. If you try to add it to a second account, Amazon will reject it because the account is already in use. You would need a different bank account for a different Amazon account.
Do I have to use my checking account every time I order?
No. Once it is added, it sits in your payment methods list. You can use it for some orders and a credit card for others. You choose which payment method to use at checkout each time.
What fees does Amazon charge for using a checking account?
Amazon does not charge a fee to link or use a checking account. Your bank may charge a fee if you use your account in a way that triggers their policies—for example, if you make many transfers in a month—but Amazon itself does not add charges.