Estate planning as a Amazon account holder
Amazon.com, Inc. reviews transfer requests for accounts individually upon receipt of documentation
Amazon Customer Service
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Amazon Bereavement Support (Sellers)
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Verified Mar 2026
Amazon encompasses one of the broadest digital ecosystems: Kindle e-book library, Prime Video purchases, Amazon Music, Amazon Photos (unlimited for Prime), Audible audiobooks, Alexa/Echo smart home configurations, Ring doorbell/security footage, AWS cloud infrastructure, Twitch streaming, Amazon Pay balances, gift card balances, Prime membership with family sharing, and physical order history. Nearly all digital content is licensed, not sold.
When a Amazon account holder dies, their accounts may be transferred to a designated person at Amazon.com, Inc.'s sole discretion. A transfer is not guaranteed, and satisfactory documentation is required before processing any request.
What happens at death
Amazon has a formal bereavement support process. Family members can contact Amazon with a death certificate, account email/phone, proof of estate authorization (e.g., letters testamentary), and photo ID. If you have access to the account email, you can sign in directly using "Forgot password." For seller accounts, contact bereavement-support-cs@amazon.com. Amazon's Conditions of Use grant only a "limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable license" for all digital content. All digital purchases (Kindle books, Prime Video, Music, Audible, apps, games) are licensed, not sold, and cannot be inherited or transferred.
How to protect your Amazon accounts
Amazon.com, Inc. does not guarantee transfer of accounts after death. Lifetime planning provides options for managing accounts and controlling who has access to them.
8 steps for managing your Amazon accounts during your lifetime:
1
Document your Amazon account email and password for your executor. With credentials, they can sign in directly and manage everything without going through bereavement support.
2
Understand that your Kindle library cannot be inherited. Hundreds or thousands of dollars in e-books are licensed, not sold, and the license terminates with the account. Consider sharing books through Family Library while alive.
3
Download Amazon Photos to local storage. Photos are user-owned content (unlike licensed media), but access requires an active account with sufficient storage. Prime members get unlimited photo storage; without Prime, the limit is 5GB.
4
Review Alexa voice recording retention settings. Smart home routines, skills, and configurations are tied to the account. Devices can be factory-reset for a new owner, but routines cannot be transferred.
5
For Ring devices: Ring has a documented ownership transfer process for deceased owners. Ensure your executor knows the device MAC addresses (serial numbers), which are needed for the transfer request.
6
For AWS accounts: ensure at least one other person has root account credentials or IAM admin access. Without root credentials, the estate cannot close the account, and running infrastructure will continue accruing charges. Consider setting up AWS Organizations with multiple admins.
7
Audible audiobooks, credits, and membership benefits are all non-transferable. Download audiobook files locally if possible. Credits have no cash value and cannot be refunded.
8
For Amazon Prime Family: if you are the primary member, household members lose access to shared benefits when the membership ends. Consider having the other adult as the primary member.
Family sharing
Amazon accounts are non-transferable. Amazon Family (formerly Prime Household) allows sharing Prime benefits with one other adult, up to four teens, and four children, but requires both adults to share payment methods. Prime membership itself cannot be transferred. Kindle books can be shared through Family Library while the account is active. Gift card balances cannot be transferred between accounts. Amazon Pay balances from inactive accounts are escheated to the account holder's state of residency under unclaimed property laws.
When someone dies
Handling Amazon accounts after a death
Transfer is handled on a case-by-case basis, 8-step process, and 4 required documents.
View details →Amazon does not support beneficiary designations. Unlike bank accounts or investment accounts, there is no way to formally name a beneficiary on this type of account.
Frequently asked questions
No. Amazon recommends downloading all uploaded content before closing an account. Unlike licensed media, photos are user-owned content, but access requires an active account. Prime members get unlimited photo storage; without Prime, the limit drops to 5GB and excess files may be deleted.
Amazon Customer Service
WebsiteVisit website →
Amazon Bereavement Support (Sellers)
WebsiteSubmit claim online →
Verified Mar 2026