I just got approved in Florida and I’m stuck on what to do in week one - bond, stamp, insurance, online registration? I’ve read a bunch of conflicting advice; what did you buy or file first, and what turned out to be a waste of money?
Week one I just ordered my seal once my commission posted, grabbed E&O, and skipped the pricey kit — bond was already handled in the application. Online registration (RON) can wait until you know you’ll use it and have a platform picked; it also requires a $25k bond and $25k E&O. Biggest waste for me was buying multiple stamps up front; one good one was plenty.
Wait until your commission appears on the FL Dept. of State lookup before ordering your stamp — I rushed and had to pay to re-do it when the commission name formatting didn’t match. It’s a 24–48 hr wait but saves $$ and stress. Did your bonding agency file the bond with the app already?
Ugh, the embosser was a waste for me — FL only cares about the rubber stamp. In week one I’d print a few 117.05‑compliant ack/jurat certificates and set up a simple journal + ID checklist, then hold off on RON unless you’re ready for a monthly platform bill. Are you planning to jump into online right away or start with walk-ins/mobile?
Building on @silver.runner: confirm your commission on the state site, then order a black‑ink rubber stamp with “Notary Public–State of Florida,” your exact commissioned name, commission number, and expiration — black scans clean for recording. Skip RON until you know you need it — it’s a separate filing with a $25k bond, $25k E&O, and a platform subscription (start here: https://notaries.dos.state.fl.us); think of it like adding turbo, not required out of the gate.