Kindle Direct Publishing pays eligible royalties through the payment information recorded in a publisher’s KDP account. The bank section identifies the financial institution, the account that can receive the funds, and the person or business named as the account holder.
A correct KDP bank account setup depends on accurate information and on the payment options available for the country in which the bank is located. The required fields and available payment method can differ among banking regions and Amazon marketplaces.
Location of the Payment Settings
Bank information is entered under Getting Paid in the KDP account settings. Access to this section may require two step verification because it contains sensitive financial data. Amazon asks for the bank’s country or region before displaying the relevant banking fields. (Amazon KDP bank guidance)
The standard procedure is:
- Sign in to Kindle Direct Publishing
- Open Your Account
- Locate the Getting Paid section
- Select the option to add a bank account
- Choose the country or region in which the bank is located
- Enter the requested account holder and banking information
The form should be completed from an official bank statement or from information confirmed by the bank. Estimated or partially remembered account numbers should not be used.
Information Commonly Required
The exact requirements for KDP bank account setup vary by location. The form may request:
- Account holder name
- Account holder address
- Bank name and location
- Bank account number
- Routing number or bank code
- IBAN where applicable
- Date of birth or date of incorporation when required
Some banking systems use domestic routing information, while others use international account identifiers. KDP displays the fields that apply after the bank location has been selected.
Account Holder Name
The account holder name is a central part of the KDP bank account setup. It should match the name recorded by the financial institution. An individual bank account should use the individual’s registered name. A business bank account should use the name the bank recognizes for that business.
Amazon states that it may be unable to make a payment when the name or other banking information in KDP does not match the bank’s records. (Amazon KDP account holder guidance)
This requirement concerns the payee name. It does not require a pen name or an imprint to match the bank account unless that name is also the bank’s registered account holder.
Verification of Bank Information
After a bank account is added, Amazon may check the account holder name, account number, routing number, IBAN, or related information to confirm that the account can receive payments. Amazon states that this review can take up to five business days. (Amazon KDP verification guidance)
The Getting Paid section displays the status of the bank information. A pending or rejected status should be investigated before royalty payments are expected. Common causes include a mistyped number, a name mismatch, an unsupported account type, or incomplete verification with a payment provider.
Payment Methods
KDP uses several payment methods, depending on the bank location and the Amazon marketplace from which the royalty originates. Current methods include:
- Electronic Funds Transfer
- Wire transfer where available
- Check where applicable
Electronic Funds Transfer is generally the most direct method when supported. Wire transfers and checks may be subject to thresholds, fees, or country restrictions. The options shown in the KDP account are determined by Amazon’s payment rules for the selected banking region. (Amazon KDP payment method guidance)
The KDP bank account setup does not itself determine when a royalty becomes payable. Payment timing also depends on the marketplace, royalty period, payment threshold, account status, and any adjustments recorded by Amazon.
Payment Service Providers
Some publishers use a payment service provider instead of a conventional bank. Amazon maintains a Payment Service Provider Program and may require the provider to participate in that program. It may also require the publisher to complete identity checks with the provider. (Amazon KDP provider guidance)
A virtual account number should not be assumed to qualify merely because it can receive other online payments. The provider’s current KDP eligibility and the account’s verification status should be checked before it is used for royalties.
Changing Existing Bank Details
Amazon states that existing banking information cannot be edited directly for security reasons. When information changes, the existing bank account is removed and the corrected account is added as a new payment account. (Amazon KDP bank update guidance)
The replacement information may be reviewed again. A publisher changing banks should therefore update KDP promptly and monitor the displayed status rather than waiting until a payment is due.
Security
Full banking details belong only in the secure KDP account interface. Amazon states that KDP representatives will not request a publisher’s complete bank information or Amazon password through email, telephone calls, or social media. (Amazon KDP security guidance)
Unsolicited messages that request those details should be treated as suspicious. Account access, contact information, and two step verification should be reviewed whenever a financial account is changed.
Summary
A complete KDP bank account setup records a supported bank or payment account, uses an exact account holder name, and passes any verification required by Amazon. Accurate information allows KDP to connect royalty records with the appropriate payment destination and reduces the likelihood of rejected or delayed payments.