diff --git a/backend/email_service.py b/backend/email_service.py
index e32a2dc..8cdeacc 100644
--- a/backend/email_service.py
+++ b/backend/email_service.py
@@ -1,43 +1,56 @@
 """
-Email Service - SendGrid integration for verification and password reset emails.
+Email Service - AWS SES integration for verification and password reset emails.
 """
 import os
 import secrets
 from datetime import datetime, timedelta
-from typing import Optional
-import httpx
+import boto3
+from botocore.exceptions import ClientError
 
-SENDGRID_API_KEY = os.getenv("SENDGRID_API_KEY", "")
+AWS_REGION = os.getenv("AWS_SES_REGION", "us-east-1")
 EMAIL_FROM = os.getenv("EMAIL_FROM", "noreply@elmeg.xyz")
 FRONTEND_URL = os.getenv("FRONTEND_URL", "https://elmeg.runfoo.run")
 
-async def send_email(to: str, subject: str, html_content: str) -> bool:
-    """Send email via SendGrid API"""
-    if not SENDGRID_API_KEY:
+# AWS credentials from environment (AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID, AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY)
+# or from IAM role if running on AWS infrastructure
+
+def get_ses_client():
+    """Get boto3 SES client"""
+    return boto3.client('ses', region_name=AWS_REGION)
+
+
+def send_email(to: str, subject: str, html_content: str) -> bool:
+    """Send email via AWS SES"""
+    # Dev mode - just log
+    if not os.getenv("AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID"):
         print(f"[EMAIL DEV MODE] To: {to}, Subject: {subject}")
         print(f"[EMAIL DEV MODE] Content: {html_content[:200]}...")
         return True
     
-    async with httpx.AsyncClient() as client:
-        response = await client.post(
-            "https://api.sendgrid.com/v3/mail/send",
-            headers={
-                "Authorization": f"Bearer {SENDGRID_API_KEY}",
-                "Content-Type": "application/json"
-            },
-            json={
-                "personalizations": [{"to": [{"email": to}]}],
-                "from": {"email": EMAIL_FROM, "name": "Elmeg"},
-                "subject": subject,
-                "content": [{"type": "text/html", "value": html_content}]
+    try:
+        client = get_ses_client()
+        response = client.send_email(
+            Source=EMAIL_FROM,
+            Destination={'ToAddresses': [to]},
+            Message={
+                'Subject': {'Data': subject, 'Charset': 'UTF-8'},
+                'Body': {
+                    'Html': {'Data': html_content, 'Charset': 'UTF-8'}
+                }
             }
         )
-        return response.status_code in (200, 202)
+        print(f"Email sent to {to}, MessageId: {response['MessageId']}")
+        return True
+    except ClientError as e:
+        print(f"Failed to send email: {e.response['Error']['Message']}")
+        return False
+
 
 def generate_token() -> str:
     """Generate a secure random token"""
     return secrets.token_urlsafe(32)
 
+
 async def send_verification_email(email: str, token: str) -> bool:
     """Send email verification link"""
     verify_url = f"{FRONTEND_URL}/verify-email?token={token}"
@@ -61,7 +74,8 @@ async def send_verification_email(email: str, token: str) -> bool:
     </div>
     """
     
-    return await send_email(email, "Verify your Elmeg account", html)
+    return send_email(email, "Verify your Elmeg account", html)
+
 
 async def send_password_reset_email(email: str, token: str) -> bool:
     """Send password reset link"""
@@ -86,13 +100,16 @@ async def send_password_reset_email(email: str, token: str) -> bool:
     </div>
     """
     
-    return await send_email(email, "Reset your Elmeg password", html)
+    return send_email(email, "Reset your Elmeg password", html)
+
 
 # Token expiration helpers
 def get_verification_expiry() -> datetime:
     """48 hour expiry for email verification"""
     return datetime.utcnow() + timedelta(hours=48)
 
+
 def get_reset_expiry() -> datetime:
     """1 hour expiry for password reset"""
     return datetime.utcnow() + timedelta(hours=1)
+
diff --git a/backend/requirements.txt b/backend/requirements.txt
index 9ad696e..1b70326 100644
--- a/backend/requirements.txt
+++ b/backend/requirements.txt
@@ -11,3 +11,4 @@ argon2-cffi
 psycopg2-binary
 requests
 beautifulsoup4
+boto3
diff --git a/docs/AWS_SES_SETUP.md b/docs/AWS_SES_SETUP.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..352b335
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/AWS_SES_SETUP.md
@@ -0,0 +1,143 @@
+# AWS SES Email Setup
+
+## Overview
+
+The Elmeg platform uses AWS SES (Simple Email Service) for sending transactional emails (verification, password reset). Cost: ~$0.10 per 1,000 emails.
+
+---
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+- AWS Account
+- Domain: `elmeg.xyz` (for verified sender)
+- Production server: `tangible-aacorn` / `nexus-vector`
+
+---
+
+## Setup Steps
+
+### 1. Verify Email Domain in SES
+
+1. Go to AWS Console → SES → Verified Identities
+2. Click "Create identity" → Choose "Domain"
+3. Enter: `elmeg.xyz`
+4. Enable "Use a custom MAIL FROM domain" (optional)
+5. Add the provided DNS records to your domain
+
+**Required DNS Records** (example):
+
+```
+Type: TXT
+Name: _amazonses.elmeg.xyz
+Value: [provided by AWS]
+
+Type: CNAME  
+Name: [dkim1]._domainkey.elmeg.xyz
+Value: [provided by AWS]
+```
+
+### 2. Move Out of SES Sandbox
+
+By default, SES is in sandbox mode (can only send to verified emails).
+
+1. Go to SES → Account dashboard
+2. Click "Request production access"
+3. Fill out:
+   - Mail type: Transactional
+   - Website URL: <https://elmeg.runfoo.run>
+   - Use case: User registration verification, password reset
+4. Wait for approval (usually 24hrs)
+
+### 3. Create IAM User for SES
+
+1. Go to IAM → Users → Create user
+2. Name: `elmeg-ses-sender`
+3. Attach policy: `AmazonSESFullAccess` (or create custom with `ses:SendEmail` only)
+4. Create access key for "Application running outside AWS"
+5. Save:
+   - Access Key ID
+   - Secret Access Key
+
+### 4. Configure Production Server
+
+SSH into server and update environment:
+
+```bash
+ssh root@tangible-aacorn
+cd /srv/containers/elmeg-demo
+```
+
+Edit `docker-compose.yml`, add to `backend` service:
+
+```yaml
+backend:
+  environment:
+    - DATABASE_URL=postgresql://elmeg:elmeg@db:5432/elmeg
+    - AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID=AKIA...
+    - AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY=...
+    - AWS_SES_REGION=us-east-1
+    - EMAIL_FROM=noreply@elmeg.xyz
+    - FRONTEND_URL=https://elmeg.runfoo.run
+```
+
+Or create `.env` file:
+
+```env
+AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID=AKIA...
+AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY=your-secret-key
+AWS_SES_REGION=us-east-1
+EMAIL_FROM=noreply@elmeg.xyz
+FRONTEND_URL=https://elmeg.runfoo.run
+```
+
+### 5. Add boto3 to Requirements
+
+```bash
+# Add to backend/requirements.txt
+boto3>=1.28.0
+```
+
+### 6. Run Migration & Restart
+
+```bash
+docker compose build backend
+docker compose exec backend python migrations/add_email_verification.py
+docker compose restart backend
+```
+
+### 7. Test
+
+1. Register at <https://elmeg.runfoo.run/register>
+2. Check for verification email
+3. Test forgot password at <https://elmeg.runfoo.run/forgot-password>
+
+---
+
+## Environment Variables
+
+| Variable | Description | Example |
+|----------|-------------|---------|
+| `AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID` | IAM user access key | `AKIA...` |
+| `AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY` | IAM user secret | `wJalr...` |
+| `AWS_SES_REGION` | SES region | `us-east-1` |
+| `EMAIL_FROM` | Verified sender address | `noreply@elmeg.xyz` |
+| `FRONTEND_URL` | Base URL for links | `https://elmeg.runfoo.run` |
+
+---
+
+## Cost
+
+- $0.10 per 1,000 emails
+- No monthly minimum
+- First 62,000 emails/month free if sending from EC2
+
+---
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+| Issue | Solution |
+|-------|----------|
+| "Email address is not verified" | Domain not verified in SES, or still in sandbox |
+| "Access Denied" | Check IAM permissions for ses:SendEmail |
+| Emails not sending | Check `docker compose logs backend` |
+| Emails in spam | Complete DKIM setup, verify domain |