What you need to start an AO3 account

An Archive of Our Own (AO3) account requires three things: a working email address, a username you choose, and a password. You do not need to provide payment information, a phone number, or personal details beyond what you enter yourself. The account creation process takes about five minutes, and you can start reading when ready — posting works requires a separate step that happens after.

AO3 is run by the Organization for Transformative Works, a nonprofit. The site does not sell your data or show you ads. Your email address is used only to verify your account and to send you password reset links if you need them; it is not displayed publicly unless you choose to add it to your profile later.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a working email address, a username, and a password to create an AO3 account; no payment or phone number is required.
  • The account is active when ready after you confirm your email, and you can read and bookmark works right away.
  • To post your own works, you must wait for an invitation or request one through the site after your account is created.
  • Your username cannot be changed after creation, so choose one you are comfortable with long-term.
  • AO3 accounts are free and do not expire if you stop using them.

Step-by-step account creation

Go to archiveofourown.org and click the "Log In" link in the top right corner. On the login page, select the "Create an account" option. You will see three fields: username, email address, and password.

Choose a username between 1 and 40 characters. It can contain letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Usernames are permanent — you cannot change it after the account is made, so pick something you will be comfortable with. The system will tell you when ready if the username is already taken. Your email address must be real and accessible; AO3 will send you a confirmation link to that inbox. Your password should be at least 6 characters, though a longer, unique password is stronger.

After you fill in all three fields, click "Create Account". AO3 will send a confirmation email to the address you provided. Open that email and click the confirmation link. Your account is now active.

What you can do right after confirming your email

Once your email is confirmed, you can log in and when ready start reading works, leaving comments, bookmarking stories, and using filters to find content. You can also customize your profile by adding a bio, an icon image, or links to other accounts if you want to. None of this requires additional steps or waiting periods.

You will see a notice on your dashboard that says you do not have posting permissions yet. This is normal. New accounts do not post when ready; instead, you can request an invitation to post, or you can wait for an invitation to arrive in your inbox (invitations are sent in batches, though the timing varies).

How to request posting permissions

To request the ability to post works, log into your account and go to your dashboard. Look for the section about posting permissions and select "Request an Invitation". AO3 will add you to a queue. The site processes these requests regularly, and you will receive an email when your invitation is ready — usually within days, though during high-traffic periods it can take longer.

Once you receive the invitation email, click the link in it to set up posting permissions. You can then upload works when ready. If you do not receive an invitation after a week or two, check your spam folder, as confirmation emails sometimes land there by mistake.

Protecting your account after creation

After you create your account, consider setting a strong, unique password — one you do not use anywhere else. If you ever forget your password, click "Forgot your password?" on the login page, and AO3 will email you a reset link. That link works for 24 hours.

You can also add a secondary email address to your account for extra security. Log in, go to your account settings, and look for the email management section. This second email can be used to reset your password if your primary email becomes unavailable.

What happens if you stop using your account

AO3 accounts do not expire or delete themselves if you go inactive. Your account will remain accessible whenever you want to log back in. If you decide you no longer want the account, you can deactivate it (which hides your profile and works from public view but keeps them in the archive's database) or request deletion (which removes your works and profile entirely, though this process takes time to complete).

These options are found in your account settings under "Preferences". Deactivation is reversible — you can reactivate your account later. Deletion is permanent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use my real name as my username?

No. Your username is what appears publicly on the site. Many users choose a pseudonym or a fandom-related name instead. You can add your real name to your profile bio if you want readers to know it, but it is entirely optional.

Can I create more than one account?

Yes, you can create multiple accounts using different email addresses. Some users maintain separate accounts for different types of works or fandoms. Each account is independent and has its own posting history and bookmarks.

What if I never receive the confirmation email?

Check your spam or junk folder first — confirmation emails sometimes get filtered there. If it is not there, wait a few minutes and try requesting a new confirmation email from the login page. If you still do not receive it after 24 hours, the email address you provided may not be working correctly; try creating an account with a different email.

Do I need to post something right after I get posting permissions?

No. Once you have posting permissions, you can use them whenever you are ready. Many users request an invitation and then wait weeks or months before posting their first work. There is no important date or requirement to post when ready.

Is there a cost to create or maintain an AO3 account?

No. AO3 is free to use. The site is supported by donations and run by volunteers. You will never be asked for payment, and there are no hidden fees or premium tiers.