[1][2] The album was released by 5 Points Records on January 4, 2010, via the United States Amazon MP3 and iTunes Stores.

The record was eventually pulled from retailers soon afterwards because, according to Del Rey, the label was unable to fund it.

[2] The album was never released physically, aside from the many bootleg vinyl pressings, CDs, and cassette tapes.

[5][2] Del Rey stated Kahne "is known as a producer with a lot of integrity and who had an interest in making music that wasn't just pop.

"[6] Her father, Robert Grant, helped with the marketing of the album,[2][7] which was available for purchase on iTunes for a brief period before being withdrawn.

"[2] Del Rey and producer David Kahne recorded 13 tracks for the album in 2008.

The album was planned to have a physical release, with a minimal number of CDs being pressed to sell at live shows.

Del Rey and her management made a separation agreement with 5 Points Records on April 1, 2010.

On November 9, 2012, Del Rey released Born to Die: The Paradise Edition, a reissue of Born to Die, which consisted of the original deluxe album and 9 new songs which were also marketed as a separate EP, titled Paradise (2012).