ST. PAUL — Gov. Mark Dayton’s office will ask federal authorities for an extension that would give the state time to comply with Real ID requirements.

An extension potentially would end uncertainty over whether travelers would be barred from boarding domestic flights with only their Minnesota identification cards.

A Dayton spokesman and top legislative leaders confirmed those plans.

An extension would avert a costly special legislative session, since the Legislature won’t reconvene again until March. That’s two months after a Jan. 1 deadline when authorities are scheduled to start enforcement at airport security checkpoints.

Congress passed the Real ID Act to boost security and deter identity fraud. Minnesota lawmakers blocked the state from using Real IDs in 2009, citing privacy concerns.