Why Amazon KDP Changed Their Rules and What Authors Should Do Right Now
This verification process started rolling out last August! Here's the scoop...
If you publish, or plan to publish, with Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) - print, ebook, audiobook, and/or hardcover - there is a fairly new update you need to pay attention to:
KDP may now require you to verify your identity.
Yes, that means a (non-expired) government-issued photo ID, official documentation, and a few extra steps. It is not just a bureaucratic headache. It has real consequences for your access to royalties, uploading, and book launches.
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Don’t panic. Please. This info has been out for a year, but I only recently learned about it and wanted to share in case you haven’t heard. Maybe you already know! If not, read on…
Let’s break down what is changing, why it matters, and how you can prepare.
What Changed?
According to Amazon KDP’s help page, authors, publishers, or rights holders may now be asked to verify their identity. The goal is to ensure accounts are genuine and “to protect the publishing ecosystem from fraud.”
This is a roll-out, so you may not be affected…yet.
If you are asked to verify, you will see:
An email from KDP letting you know verification is required
A banner in your KDP dashboard that says “Identity verification required”
How to Verify Your Identity
Log in to your KDP account and navigate to 'Your Identity' under 'Your Account'.
Make sure your personal details (name, address, date of birth) match your government-issued ID. Update them first if needed.
Choose an accepted form of ID (passport, driver’s license, residence permit, etc., depending on your country).
Upload a clear scan or photo of the ID. A mobile device can make this easier.
Submit and wait. KDP says the process usually takes just a few minutes.
Pros and Cons of KDP’s New ID Verification
What You Can Do Now
Check your KDP account details. Ensure that your legal name, date of birth, and address match the information on your ID.
Gather valid ID. Keep your passport, driver’s license, or residence permit up to date.
Update your legal records if needed. Fix mismatches from name changes before verification begins.
Clarify business setups. If publishing through an LLC or agency, confirm who the authorized representative is.
Watch your KDP dashboard and email. Do not ignore notices about verification.
Scan and save clean copies. Store clear, secure, password-protected scans of your ID so you can upload them quickly.
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What If My Account Name Doesn’t Match My ID?
The name listed in your KDP account has to align with the name shown on your government-issued ID.
For Individuals: If your legal name recently changed but your ID has not yet been updated, you will need to use the information from your current ID to complete verification. Once your official ID reflects the change, you can update your KDP account and verify again.
For Pen Names: You can continue to publish books under a pen name; however, the legal name in the “Your Account > Your Identity” section must be your actual name. Your pen name should be entered only in the author field when you set up a title.
For Businesses: If your publishing account is tied to a business and the designated representative changes, you must update the new representative’s details under “Your Account > Your Identity” and complete verification with their ID.
What Happens If I Don’t Verify?
If you do not complete the verification process, KDP may restrict your account. This can include blocking access to publishing tools and even removing books from sale.
In some cases, authors may appeal the decision, but failure to provide a valid ID can ultimately result in account closure.
Please note: I’m not trying to scare anyone. This is to inform you in case you see this in your dashboard.
Why Is Amazon Doing This?
Amazon explains that identity checks are ‘designed to cut down on scams, fake accounts, and fraudulent publishing.’ It is not a perfect solution to AI or piracy, but it adds another safeguard by making sure every account belongs to a real, traceable person or business.
In today’s world of AI-generated content and impersonation attempts, this is also one way for KDP to filter out bad actors before they flood the marketplace.
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How This Policy Could Hurt Those at Risk Without a Current ID
1. Temporary Status
Many immigrants, especially refugees, asylum seekers, or those with temporary protected status, may not have up-to-date government-issued ID that matches their legal name. Paperwork can take months or years to process.
If Amazon locks accounts due to a lack of verification, these authors could lose access to their books and royalties.
2. Authors living abroad
An American author living overseas might have an expired passport or an ID from a country where renewal is difficult or delayed. If their documents don’t line up perfectly, they may be blocked from publishing until all issues are resolved.
3. Women and LGBTQ+ authors with name changes
People who changed their name after marriage, divorce, or gender transition often face gaps between their lived identity and what their paperwork says. If Amazon requires the name on the ID to match exactly, this can force authors to disclose more than they want, or to wait while new IDs are processed.
(When I got divorced ten years ago, one of the reasons I kept my married name was for these reasons.)
4. Low-income or undocumented writers
Not everyone can easily afford to replace or renew identification. For undocumented individuals writing under pseudonyms, this policy could render publishing impossible, as there is no valid ID that meets KDP’s requirements.
5. Authors with disabilities or limited mobility
For some, traveling to update or replace an ID, or even having access to WiFi to complete paperwork online, can be a major challenge. If documents lapse, they could suddenly be cut off from publishing and royalties.
Do Traditional Publishers Have to Verify?
Not in the same way individual indie authors do.
Large publishing houses, such as Penguin Random House or HarperCollins, already work with Amazon through corporate distribution agreements. Their legitimacy is verified at the company level, not by uploading an individual staffer’s ID.
Small independent presses that publish through KDP must still go through the verification process. In that case, the authorized business representative provides their government-issued ID in the Your Account > Your Identity section.
Traditionally published authors do not need to verify because their publisher handles all uploading, distribution, and royalty collection.
In short, if you are publishing directly through KDP, verification applies to you. If you are publishing through a traditional house, your publisher handles it.
Conclusion
Amazon’s new-ish ID verification process may feel like another hoop for indie authors to jump through, but it is (supposedly and ultimately) about protecting your work, royalties, and readers.
Amazon says the trade-off is clear: more security and legitimacy across the platform (but with added paperwork and potential delays if you are unprepared). By checking your details now, keeping your documents current, and staying alert to notifications, you can make this transition smooth instead of stressful.
Think of it as future-proofing your publishing career; one more way to safeguard your books, your income, and your author identity.
What I’m Reading
• For this book, 100% of the royalties go to the Wounded Warrior Project! Jeff Burgess’ 𝙄𝙩 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙚: 𝙈𝙮 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 is a fantastic business memoir with many insights and a lot of humor. A worthy purchase. Business memoir.
• Sheila Sharpe’s Artist, Lover, Forger, Thief is fantastic! Art theft at its most compelling. Reading now. Literary and mystery fiction.
• J. Herman Kleiger’s Whispers, his third novel of psychological suspense, was just released. It’s fantastic. Learn more about his book. Psychological fiction.
• R.A. Ruegg’s The Making of BRIO McPRIDE: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time meets Life of Pi is one of my favorite reads this year. The book inspired two films! YA/NA fiction, psychological, literary.
Happy writing!
Thanks. Helpful and useful. I ran afoul of KDP when I used my personal email instead of my advocacy (book) email. Comingled KDP accounts. Ergo. Sent to KDP Siberia. Stand Up Speak Up--the book. Appreciate your help.
About to start my KDP journey. So it was good getting a heads up on what to expect. Although I’m kinda surprised that they didn’t always require ID in the first place, since royalty payments are involved.