Amazon Seller Verification: What Documents Do You Need?

Establishing a legitimate presence on Amazon’s marketplace requires passing their verification process—a critical step designed to protect both consumers and legitimate businesses. Amazon seller verification serves as the gatekeeper that ensures only legitimate businesses and individuals can access the platform’s massive customer base. With increasing regulatory scrutiny and the implementation of the INFORM Consumers Act, Amazon has strengthened its verification requirements, making proper documentation more essential than ever.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover exactly which documents you need to successfully navigate Amazon’s verification process based on your seller type and location, understand the step-by-step verification workflow, and learn how to avoid common pitfalls that delay account approval. Whether you’re establishing a new account or responding to re-verification requirements, this information will help you maintain continuous selling privileges on the world’s largest e-commerce platform.

What is Amazon seller verification & why is it required?

Amazon seller verification is a multi-step authentication process that validates your identity, business legitimacy, and banking information before you can sell products on the marketplace.

This process serves several crucial purposes in maintaining Amazon’s ecosystem integrity.

The verification system acts as Amazon’s first line of defense against counterfeit products, fraudulent sellers, and money laundering schemes. By thoroughly vetting sellers before granting marketplace access, Amazon protects both consumers from questionable merchants and legitimate businesses from unfair competition. Additionally, these measures help Amazon comply with increasingly stringent global regulations regarding online marketplaces.

Recent years have seen Amazon significantly strengthen verification requirements in response to regulatory changes and heightened scrutiny. Many established sellers have experienced re-verification requests, even after years of selling on the platform. These enhanced measures reflect Amazon’s commitment to maintaining trust while satisfying governmental oversight of digital marketplaces.

Overview of the INFORM Consumers Act

The INFORM (Integrity, Notification, and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces) Consumers Act represents one of the most significant regulatory changes affecting Amazon sellers in recent years. Implemented nationally in June 2023, this legislation mandates enhanced transparency requirements for high-volume third-party sellers on online marketplaces.

Under the INFORM Act, sellers with 200+ transactions or $5,000+ in annual gross revenue must provide additional verification information. The Act requires marketplaces like Amazon to collect, verify, and in some cases display, seller identification information—including name, business address, contact details, and tax identification numbers.

For Amazon sellers, this means more rigorous verification processes, with high-volume merchants facing the most comprehensive documentation requirements. The implementation has prompted waves of re-verification requests even for established accounts, making understanding current document requirements essential for uninterrupted selling privileges.

Required documents for Amazon seller verification

Successfully passing Amazon’s verification process requires specific documentation that varies based on your seller type, location, and sales volume. Understanding exactly which records you need to prepare can streamline the process and prevent unnecessary delays.

For all Amazon sellers, regardless of business structure or location, certain foundational documents are universally required:

Government-issued photo ID – Passport, driver’s license, or national ID card that clearly shows your photograph, full name, date of birth, and expiration date
Proof of address – Recent utility bill, bank statement, or government correspondence (typically dated within the last 90 days) showing your name and current address
Tax identification number – Social Security Number (SSN) for US individuals, Employer Identification Number (EIN) for US businesses, VAT number for EU sellers, or equivalent tax ID based on your country
Bank statement – Recent statement (within 90 days) showing your name or business name, account number, bank name and logo, and transaction history
Valid contact information – Working email address and phone number that can receive verification codes

Business sellers must additionally provide documentation establishing their commercial legitimacy:

Business registration documents – Certificate of Incorporation, Articles of Organization, or equivalent official business registration documents
Business license – State or local business permits or operational licenses where applicable
Certificate of Good Standing – For established businesses, proof of compliance with state regulations and tax requirements

It’s important to note that document requirements can vary significantly by country and seller classification. Always check the current regional guidelines within Seller Central for your specific location before beginning the verification process.

Amazon verification document requirements by seller type

Documentation requirements differ considerably between individual and business sellers, as well as across geographic regions. Understanding these distinctions can help you prepare the right materials from the start.

Individual vs. Business Seller Requirements

Individual sellers typically need:

Personal government-issued ID
Personal bank statement
Personal tax ID (SSN in the US)
Utility bill or other proof of address in your name

Business sellers must provide:

Business registration documents
Business bank statement
Tax ID associated with the business (EIN in the US)
Business address verification
Proof of business representative authority (for the person managing the account)
Business owner’s personal identification

US vs. International Seller Requirements

US-based sellers benefit from relatively straightforward documentation requirements, including:

Driver’s license or passport
SSN (individuals) or EIN (businesses)
US bank statement
For businesses: State registration documents

International sellers face additional complexities, including:

Passport as primary identification (driver’s licenses may not be accepted)
Country-specific business registration documents
Potential requirements for certified translations for documents not in supported languages
Region-specific tax identification (VAT for EU, GST for Canada/Australia, etc.)
International bank account verification (which may require additional steps)

UK and EU sellers should prepare VAT registration documents alongside business registration papers. Many Asian markets, particularly China, have specialized verification processes that may include video verification steps beyond standard documentation.

For non-supported languages, Amazon typically requires notarized translations of all documents. These translations must be performed by certified professionals and include certification statements confirming their accuracy.

Step-by-step Amazon seller account verification process

Understanding the verification workflow helps set appropriate expectations and ensures you’re prepared for each phase of the process. Amazon has refined its verification procedures significantly in recent years, making it important to follow current protocols.

The typical Amazon seller verification journey proceeds through these sequential steps:

Register and select seller type – Begin by visiting Seller Central and choosing between individual or professional (business) selling plans. This selection determines your verification requirements and fee structure.
Enter personal/business details – Provide your basic information, including name, address, phone number, and email. For business accounts, enter your legal business name, address, and registration details exactly as they appear on official documents.
Upload verification documents – Submit clear, high-resolution copies of your required documents through Seller Central.

Important formatting requirements include:
- Acceptable formats: PDF, JPEG, PNG, or TIFF
- Maximum file size: 10MB per document
- Resolution requirements: minimum 300 DPI, with all text clearly legible
- Complete document visibility: all four corners visible, no cropped information
- Original documents only: screenshots or photographs of screens are rejected
Link and verify bank account – Provide your bank account details exactly as they appear on your statements. Amazon verifies accounts through:
- Small test deposits (requiring you to confirm the exact amounts)
- Bank statement review (matching the name and address with your account information)
Await approval – Amazon’s verification team reviews your materials, typically completing the process within 2-7 business days. Complex cases, particularly for international or high-volume sellers, may take longer.

To maximize your chances of first-attempt approval, ensure all information matches exactly across documents. Discrepancies between names or addresses—even minor spelling variations—are common reasons for verification delays. Avoid submitting expired identification, outdated statements (older than 90 days), or documents with redacted information that Amazon requires for verification.

For certain high-risk categories or regions, Amazon may additionally require video call verification where you’ll need to present your physical documents and verify your identity through real-time interaction with an Amazon representative. Be prepared for this possibility, particularly if you’re selling in regulated categories or from countries with higher fraud rates.

Common issues and how to avoid Amazon seller verification delays

Verification rejections can significantly delay your selling journey on Amazon.

Recognizing the most frequent issues allows you to prevent these problems before submission and resolve them efficiently if they occur.

These common verification pitfalls account for the majority of delays and rejections:

Mismatched information – Name or address discrepancies between your application and supporting documents create immediate red flags. Even minor variations (like “Road” vs. “Rd.” or middle initial inclusion/exclusion) can trigger rejections.
Document quality issues – Blurry images, incomplete scans, or poor lighting lead to automatic rejections. Amazon’s verification team needs to clearly read all document details without ambiguity.
Expired or outdated documentation – Submitting expired identification or bank statements older than 90 days typically results in immediate rejection. Always check expiration dates before uploading.
Language barriers – Documents in unsupported languages without certified translations cannot be processed. Amazon requires notarized translations for documents not in locally supported languages.
Banking verification failures – Incorrect account details, unsupported banking institutions, or accounts not in the seller’s name frequently cause verification failure. Business sellers especially must ensure bank accounts match their business name exactly.
Incomplete document sets – Missing pages from multi-page documents or failing to provide all required verification materials leads to delays. Always submit complete document sets as specified.

When addressing verification issues, take these troubleshooting steps:

Carefully review Amazon’s specific rejection reason in your Seller Central notifications
Address exactly what was flagged without making unrelated changes
Resubmit with improved document quality and accuracy
For persistent issues, contact Seller Support with your specific case number

When contacting Seller Support, always reference your case number and provide precise details about your verification attempts. Generic inquiries typically receive automated responses, while specific questions with case references more often reach specialized verification support teams who can provide actionable guidance.

What happens if you aren’t verified (or miss the deadline)?

Failed verification attempts or missed verification deadlines trigger a cascading set of account restrictions that can severely impact your Amazon selling operations. Understanding these consequences helps emphasize the importance of timely, accurate verification compliance.

When verification fails or deadlines pass without completion, Amazon typically implements these measures:

Account suspension – Your selling privileges are immediately paused, preventing new listing creation or sales
Disbursement holds – Any funds in your seller account become inaccessible until verification completes successfully
Listing removal – Your existing product listings may be suppressed or removed from search results
Restricted account access – Certain Seller Central features become unavailable until verification issues are resolved

If your account faces verification-related restrictions, take these recovery steps:

Log into Seller Central and check for specific verification requirement notifications
Address all identified documentation issues completely
Resubmit your corrected documents through the verification portal
If approved, request account reinstatement through the appeal process
For prolonged issues, prepare a detailed Plan of Action explaining the verification issues, your corrective measures, and preventative steps for future compliance

The reinstatement timeline varies significantly based on the complexity of your verification issues and the completeness of your corrective actions. Simple document corrections may restore access within days, while more complex compliance issues can extend the process to weeks, particularly for international sellers or those requiring additional identity validation.

Maintaining compliance and account health after verification

Successfully navigating the initial verification process establishes your selling privileges, but maintaining ongoing compliance protects your long-term Amazon business viability. Verification isn’t a one-time event—it’s an ongoing requirement that requires vigilance and proactive management.

To maintain verification compliance and prevent future disruptions, implement these best practices:

Update information promptly – Immediately update your Seller Central account details whenever your business information changes, including address changes, banking information updates, or business structure modifications
Monitor expiration dates – Track expiration dates for identification documents, business licenses, and other time-limited verification materials, preparing renewals before they expire
Respond to reverification requests – Address any Amazon requests for updated verification promptly, even if you believe your current documentation should be sufficient
Maintain consistent information – Ensure your business name, address, and other critical details match exactly across all Amazon interfaces and external documentation
Keep verification documents accessible – Maintain a secure digital repository of all your verification documents for quick reference and submission when needed

Neglecting verification updates can lead to serious consequences, including unexpected account restrictions, payment holds, or even permanent selling privilege revocation. Amazon’s compliance requirements have become increasingly stringent, making proactive verification management essential for business continuity.

For high-volume sellers particularly affected by INFORM Act requirements, consider implementing a quarterly compliance review to ensure all documentation remains current and accessible. This proactive approach helps prevent unexpected verification issues that could interrupt your sales operations during critical selling periods.

Conclusion

Navigating Amazon seller verification successfully requires meticulous attention to document preparation, consistent information across all materials, and ongoing compliance management. As Amazon continues strengthening its verification processes in response to regulatory changes and marketplace integrity concerns, sellers who understand and anticipate these requirements gain competitive advantage through uninterrupted selling privileges.

The verification landscape continues evolving, particularly with the implementation of the INFORM Consumers Act and other regulatory frameworks worldwide. Staying informed about these changes and maintaining proper documentation isn’t just about initial marketplace access—it’s a fundamental aspect of sustainable Amazon business operations.

Before beginning the verification process, thoroughly review all requirements specific to your seller type and location. Prepare high-quality, current documentation that exactly matches your registration information. When verification succeeds, implement a regular compliance monitoring system to prevent future disruptions. This structured approach transforms verification from a potential business obstacle into a manageable operational procedure.

Frequently asked questions

What documents are required for Amazon seller verification?

Typically, a government-issued photo ID, proof of address (recent bank statement or utility bill), and business registration documents (for business accounts). Requirements can vary by country and seller type.

How long does Amazon seller verification take?

Usually 2–3 business days, but it can take up to 7 days depending on volume and document accuracy.

What if my documents are rejected by Amazon?

Double-check information for mismatches or clarity, correct issues, and re-upload. If needed, contact Seller Support with specific case details.

Do I need a business license to sell on Amazon?

Not always for individuals, but business sellers must provide official business registration. Requirements vary by country.

What happens if I do not verify my Amazon seller account on time?

Your account may be suspended, and disbursement of funds will be held until successful verification.