Managing your cloud infrastructure is critical, and sometimes that means knowing how to delete your AWS account properly. Whether you’re no longer using the service or simply cleaning up unused resources, closing an Amazon Web Services (AWS) account requires a few careful steps.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through exactly how to delete AWS account safely and permanently.
Why You Might Want to Delete Your AWS Account
There are several valid reasons someone may want to delete their AWS account:
- You’re no longer using AWS and want to avoid future charges
- You created a test account and no longer need it
- You want to switch to another cloud provider
- You want to remove all data and personal information from AWS servers
Whatever your reason, AWS allows you to delete your account—if you follow the proper steps.
Prerequisites Before You Delete AWS Account
Before proceeding to delete your AWS account, make sure to:
- Back up all important data stored in S3, RDS, EC2, etc.
- Terminate all active services, resources, and instances
- Download your invoices and billing history if needed
- Delete IAM users and custom roles if applicable
- Make sure your account is the root account (not a sub-user)
Skipping any of these steps may result in unwanted charges or data loss.
How to Delete AWS Account (Step-by-Step)
Follow the steps below to properly delete your AWS account:
Step 1: Sign in as Root User
Go to https://aws.amazon.com and log in using your root account credentials. Only the root user has the authority to close the AWS account.
Step 2: Verify All Services Are Terminated
Go to the AWS Management Console and check each service (like EC2, S3, RDS, Lambda, etc.) to ensure all resources are stopped or deleted.
Step 3: Go to Account Settings
In the top-right corner, click your account name, then go to “Account” under the AWS Billing dashboard.
Step 4: Scroll Down to Close Account Section
At the bottom of the account page, you’ll find the “Close Account” section. Read the terms carefully.
Step 5: Confirm and Close Account
Check the box to agree to the terms and click “Close Account.” You will receive an email confirming the closure. Your AWS account will be permanently deleted after 90 days.
What Happens After You Delete AWS Account?
Once you close your AWS account:
- You will lose access to all AWS services
- Your billing stops immediately (for most services)
- AWS may retain your data for up to 90 days before permanent deletion
- You cannot reopen the same account after 90 days
Final Thoughts on How to Delete AWS Account
Now you know exactly how to delete AWS account without any mistakes. Always make sure you’ve backed up all necessary data and terminated all active services before closing your account. If you’re switching providers or just cleaning up, this process ensures a clean break from AWS.
If you’re selling AWS accounts or need a new, verified one in a specific region (like IAD28), make sure to follow all AWS policies and use trusted providers.