If you've created an [[AWS Organizations|AWS Organization]] with multiple accounts for purposes of testing or if you are closing down a product/company, you may need to close all the accounts to prevent future billing. Here are the steps to do so. *Note: These steps cannot be automated via API and must be performed manually using the AWS Console in the browser. They require logging in to all accounts within the organization one-by-one, so may take some time for larger orgs.* ## Pre-reqs - Ensure you have backed up any data you need from all accounts - Ensure you have access to the mailbox for the root user email addresses for all accounts to be deleted ## Steps 1. Login as the root user to the management account in the organization 2. Open the [Organizations console](https://console.aws.amazon.com/organizations/v2/home/accounts) and note down the Account IDs and root user email addresses used for all the accounts in the organization 3. Generate a new password that will be used to reset the password on all the child accounts. Ensure it conforms to the org's password policy. (The same password can be used for all accounts, since they'll be deleted shortly anyway) 4. Complete the following steps to delete each child account (NOT the management account): 1. Use a private browser window to open the AWS console login window. 2. Enter root user email address, click Next and complete captcha if required 3. Click on Forgot Password and open link in email sent out. 4. Enter the generated password and reset. 5. Login and go to [My Account page](https://console.aws.amazon.com/billing/home?#/account) 6. Scroll down to Close Account section and close it 7. Sign out of AWS console and repeat steps for next child account 4. Once all child accounts are closed, return to the management account (where billing is configured) with the root user. 5. Go to the [My Account page](https://console.aws.amazon.com/billing/home?#/account), scroll down to Close Account section and close it --- ## References - [How do I close my AWS account? (AWS docs)](https://aws.amazon.com/premiumsupport/knowledge-center/close-aws-account/) --- tags: [[AWS]]