So, you’re opening your Amazon store, and one thing is for certain: the process can be confusing, lengthy, and at times, downright unpleasant (specific to providing the documents).

In addition to having the correct documents, you’ll need to make sure you have the same address listed on each one. Obtaining a physical business address may seem like a daunting task, but fear not, there’s a practical solution. Read on to find out how to open your Amazon store and what documents you’ll need to get started.

How to Open Your Amazon Store

To begin, navigate to the main Amazon Seller Central page and click on the button that says ‘Sign up’. You’ll need to have the following information on-hand when signing up for an Amazon seller account:

  1. Your business and contact address.
  2. Your mobile or telephone number.
  3. Your credit card number associated with your business account.
  4. Other documents to prove your identity and address.

Though all are important when opening an Amazon Store, proof of address is where business owners, like you, will run into problems.

Problems Associated with Opening Your Amazon Store

In order to open an Amazon store, Amazon must be able to verify your business address. For proof of address, you’ll need to show two separate documents that provide your physical business address (for example: a lease agreement and utility bill). Because many, like yourself, do not have locations in the U.S, this often presents a challenge.

This is one of the most common issues you might experience in the rejection of your documents and/or Amazon being unable to verify your proof of address.

If Amazon cannot interpret who owns the business and where it is operating from, they will reject your application, and it all comes down to the physical business address listed. It’s frustrating that something so simple can cause you so much stress! So, how do you get proof of address?

Documents Needed for Proof of Address for Your Amazon Store

The most common documents for proof of address are lease/mortgage statements and utility bills.

Let’s cover the lease agreement first. If you own the building that your business operates out of, you may provide Amazon with a deed or mortgage statement. If the office is leased, you can provide a lease agreement.

Need a U.S. physical address? If you do not own or lease an office, then you can use TruLease to obtain a leased office space for an affordable price to use as proof of address for Amazon.

Now, for the utility bill, you must provide a bill associated with the physical address used to register, and any other supporting documents that prove you can operate from that address. To show the service address, it needs to meet the following criteria:

  1. It is a water, electricity, gas, internet, or telecom bill issued by the utility company (VOIP and mobile phone bills are not acceptable).
  2. The name and service address must be visible and match the company and the physical address.
  3. If the lessor pays for utility, then the lessor's name on the bill must match the lessor name on the lease agreement.
  4. It must be issued within the last 180 days.

A utility bill is any service you pay in addition to rent, lease or mortgage, provided at your address. Also, you may not use a utility bill in someone else’s name.

How to Obtain Your Utility Bill for Your Amazon Store

When verifying proof of address, you’ll need to provide Amazon with a utility bill that matches the address on all documents submitted. This is where VirtualPostMail’s (VPM) TruLease Plan comes in.

TruLease offers a utility bill add-on option to use as proof of address. With it, you’ll receive a utility bill in the lessor’s name along with the service address shown on the utility bill to prove that the physical address exists.

The utility bill is guaranteed to be effective for 3 months from the date you receive it, giving you ample time to get your Amazon store up and running.

How to Submit Your Amazon Store Documents

Once you’ve acquired your lease agreement and utility bill documents, submitting them should be simple. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

  1. Select your country/region from the drop down menu.
  2. Upload your documents to the 'Submit required documents' section.
  3. Enter your contact information and submit.

Amazon has been known to reject screenshots and/or partial documents, so you’ll want to be sure to upload the documents in its entirety and in the accepted formats. From start to finish, the review process can take up to two business days.

TruLease - A Solution for Opening Your Amazon Store

If you’re looking to open your Amazon store to get your products in front of a wider audience, but lack a physical storefront to verify proof of address, TruLease can help.

With TruLease, you’ll receive a virtual mailbox, lease agreement, physical address and optional utility bill that can be used as proof of address for any business.

Ready to break through the gates of Amazon and start selling? Learn more about the TruLease Plan and how the utility bill add-on can help you launch your Amazon store today!