Notaries in easternmost Pennsylvania can expect to see customers from New Jersey presenting REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses as identification this summer.

New Jersey’s Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) began testing the REAL ID issuing process at one agency in June. Statewide, drivers could sign up to receive an email when an agency near them was ready to issue the cards.

Pennsylvania notaries may accept any state-issued U.S. driver’s license or non-driver identification card which is current and unexpired as satisfactory evidence of identity. “Current” means the issue date on the license is prior to the date of the notarial act.

New Jersey started issuing enhanced driver’s licenses in 2011 that contained over 20 security features; the new REAL IDs will contain even more. The easiest way to recognize a New Jersey REAL ID is to look for a yellow circle with a star in the upper right corner of the license. Standard licenses issued after Sept. 30, 2020 will show the notation “not for REAL ID purposes” on the top.

REAL ID is not mandated, unless you are planning to fly domestically after Sept. 31, 2020. On Oct. 1, 2020, you will not be permitted to board an aircraft without a REAL ID license, a U.S. passport or passport ID card, or a military ID. A standard state-issued driver’s license will still be valid for driving and for notarial identification purposes.

There are 6.4 million licensed drivers in New Jersey; officials don’t have an estimate of how many drivers will apply for REAL ID licenses.