Camino Passports and Certificates: A Complete Guide
Understand Camino credentials fast: where to buy a pilgrim passport, stamp requirements for the last 100 km, and how to get the Compostela certificate.
Anja
January 24, 2026
6 min read
The credential and Compostela represent 1,200 years of pilgrimage tradition—tangible proof you've walked in the footsteps of millions before you. These documents transform your journey from personal adventure into officially recognized pilgrimage, connecting you to medieval walkers who carried similar papers toward Santiago.
Key Facts at a Glance:
Credential cost: ~€2-5 depending on location
Minimum distance for Compostela: 100km walking (200km cycling)
Stamp requirement: 1 per day normally, 2 per day for final 100km
Compostela cost: Free (religious/spiritual) or €3 (secular certificate)
Collection time: 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on season
Credential size: Accordion-fold document, approximately 10x15cm when closed
Languages accepted: All major languages—staff at starting points speak English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Replacement available: If lost, can obtain new credential at any pilgrim office along route
This guide covers obtaining your credential at major starting points, collecting the required stamps along your route, and claiming your certificate at the finish. Whether planning your first Camino or already booked and sorting administrative details, this is your practical reference for navigating the credential system. The process is simpler than many pilgrims expect—understanding the basic requirements eliminates stress and allows you to focus on the walking experience itself rather than paperwork concerns.
Understanding Your Credential
Your credential (pilgrim passport) is an accordion-fold document with spaces for stamps (sellos) collected along your route. It proves you walked the route, provides access to pilgrim-only accommodations at reduced rates, and qualifies you for the Compostela certificate.
The Stamping System:
Regular route: 1 stamp per day minimum
Final 100km: 2 stamps daily required from different locations
Stamp sources: Churches (always free), albergues (automatic at check-in), bars, restaurants, town halls, tourist offices
Best strategy: Morning stamp from accommodation, afternoon stamp from bar/restaurant
Churches keep stamps near entrances
Albergues stamp during check-in
Bars and restaurants display unique stamps creating a visual diary
Cost runs €2-5. All official credentials are equally valid for Santiago.
Understanding the Certificate
The Compostela is the official certificate from Santiago Cathedral confirming completed pilgrimage. Written in Latin with cathedral seal, it shows your name in Latin translation, completion date, and route walked.
Requirements:
100km on foot or 200km by bicycle minimum
2 stamps daily for final 100km
Religious/spiritual motivation stated at Pilgrim Office
Religious or spiritual motivation earns the free traditional Compostela. Touristic motivation earns a €3 Certificate of Completion. Additional certificates available: Distance Certificate (€3 showing exact kilometers), Fisterrana (Finisterre extension), Muxiana (Muxía extension).
Obtaining Your Credential - Starting Points
Where you obtain your credential depends on which route you're walking. Most pilgrims collect credentials at their official starting point, though they're also available at churches, pilgrim offices, and associations along every route if you need a replacement or start partway through.
The Camino Francés is the most popular route, beginning in the French Pyrenees and crossing northern Spain through historic cities like Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos, and León. St-Jean-Pied-de-Port serves as the traditional starting point, offering the full 780km pilgrimage experience.
When walking Camino Francés consider visiting the following office:
Pilgrim Office - St-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Located at 39 Rue de la Citadelle, this office marks the official Camino Francés starting point and operates daily year-round with seasonal hours (7:30am–8pm summer, 10am–5pm winter). Multilingual staff provide credentials, detailed route information, Pyrenees weather forecasts, and accommodation lists for the challenging first stages. Processing over 60,000 pilgrims annually, summer mornings see significant queues; afternoon arrivals avoid the rush. Staff offer advice about the demanding Napoleon Route and Valcarlos alternative based on fitness and weather conditions.
The Camino Inglés follows the medieval route of English and Irish pilgrims who arrived by ship at Galician ports. Starting in Ferrol provides the full 118km route, while A Coruña offers a shorter 75km alternative.
When walking Camino Inglés consider visiting the following office:
Cathedral of San Julián - Ferrol
The Cathedral of San Julián on Praza da Igrexa issues Camino Inglés credentials, though hours are inconsistent; arriving during morning mass typically ensures access. Alternatives include the Albergue de Peregrinos de Ferrol and tourist office. At 118 kilometers, this is the shortest route qualifying for the Compostela, requiring two daily stamps throughout. Lower pilgrim numbers create a more personalized experience, and Ferrol's naval heritage offers excellent pre-Camino exploration of historic shipyards and the maritime quarter.
The Camino Portugués offers two variants from Porto: the Central route through inland wine country, and the Coastal route following the Atlantic shore. Both paths merge before entering Galicia and continuing north to Santiago.
When walking Camino Portugués consider visiting the following office:
Sé do Porto
The official Camino Português starting point at Sé do Porto issues credentials near Terreiro da Sé, operating weekdays from 9am–12:30pm and 2:30pm–5:30pm. Alternative sources include Casa do Infante, the Albergue de Peregrinos, and various city churches. Both the Coastal and Central route variants use the same credential system, allowing flexibility in route choice during the walk north. The cathedral area experiences heavy tourist traffic; early morning visits provide quieter credential collection, and staff are well-accustomed to serving international pilgrims beginning their journey to Santiago.
The Camino Primitivo is the original pilgrimage route to Santiago, following King Alfonso II's 9th-century path through the mountains of Asturias. This challenging route offers dramatic landscapes and fewer pilgrims than other major Caminos.
When walking Camino Primitivo consider visiting the following office:
Oviedo Cathedral
The Camino Primitivo starting point at Oviedo Cathedral issues credentials near the Cámara Santa entrance, operating Monday–Saturday 10am–1pm and 4pm–7pm, with Sunday hours 10am–1pm only. The Primitivo follows the original 9th-century royal pilgrimage route—the first documented pilgrimage to Santiago—with credentials featuring the Cruz de los Ángeles symbol. This route crosses the most challenging terrain of any major Camino. Staff provide detailed weather and terrain advice given the route's demands, and Oviedo's old town, pre-Romanesque churches, and cider culture make it ideal for a pre-Camino rest day.
Starting in Sarria allows pilgrims to walk the minimum 100km required for the Compostela certificate. This option appeals to those with limited time or who prefer a shorter, more manageable pilgrimage experience.
If you’re only walking the last 100km between Sarria and Santiago consider visiting the following office:
Iglesia de Santa Mariña - Sarria
The most popular "last 100km" starting point at Iglesia de Santa Mariña on Rúa Maior issues credentials daily with extended hours May–October (8am–9pm) and reduced hours November–April. Alternative sources include the municipal albergue and tourist office. The parish processes more credential requests than any location except St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, as the medieval town exists primarily to serve pilgrims walking the exact minimum Compostela-qualifying distance. This church marks the beginning of the Camino's busiest and most crowded section.
The Camino del Norte follows Spain's stunning northern coast through Basque Country, Cantabria, and Asturias before turning inland toward Santiago. This route offers dramatic ocean views, excellent seafood, and significantly fewer crowds than the Francés.
When walking Camino del Norte consider visiting the following office:
Santa María del Juncal - Irún
The Camino del Norte starting point at Santa María del Juncal on Calle Mayor operates weekdays 10am–1pm and 5pm–7pm, though calling ahead is recommended given irregular hours. The Norte follows the Atlantic coast for over 800 kilometers—the longest route to Santiago—with significantly fewer walkers creating a quieter, more personal credential collection experience. Staff provide detailed maps and waymarking guidance, as the Norte's coastal terrain and routing through small villages occasionally presents navigation challenges not found on the heavily marked Francés.
The Camino Finisterre extends beyond Santiago to the Atlantic coast, following the medieval tradition of continuing to "the end of the world." This 90km route can be walked as a standalone journey or as the conclusion to any Camino ending in Santiago.
When walking Camino Finisterre consider visiting the following office:
Oficina del Peregrino - Santiago de Compostela
The main pilgrim office at Rúa Carretas 33 issues Compostelas for all Camino routes ending in Santiago, operating daily with extended hours during peak season (9am–9pm April–October, 10am–7pm November–March). The process involves taking a numbered queue ticket, waiting for the digital board to display your number, presenting your stamped credential to staff, answering brief questions about your pilgrimage motivation and route, and receiving your personalized Latin certificate. Wait times average 30 minutes on weekdays but can extend to 2–3 hours during peak summer periods.
Important Notes:
Via Francigena is a completely separate pilgrimage system leading to Rome rather than Santiago. It uses a testimonium document administered by Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi in Rome, following entirely different rules and requirements. If planning Via Francigena, the Camino credential and Compostela system doesn't apply. Explore more about the documentation for Francigena route on their website.
All prices are approximate and are subject to change depending on the season, weather and other factors.
Collecting Your Certificate - Finish Points
After completing your Camino, collecting your certificate marks the official conclusion of your pilgrimage. Here's where to go for each route's formal endpoint and what to expect during the collection process. Here are the main offices on the most popular finish locations:
Oficina de Acogida al Peregrino - Finisterre
The small port office in Finisterre issues the Fisterrana certificate for pilgrims completing the 90-kilometer extension from Santiago, operating with summer hours of 10am–2pm and 4pm–8pm, reduced during winter months. The certificate requires no religious motivation, though many pilgrims skip formal documentation. The office maintains a relaxed atmosphere compared to Santiago's high-volume efficiency, with staff offering local information about beaches, coastal trails, and bus schedules back to Santiago for return journeys to catch flights or trains.
Oficina de Turismo - Muxía
The town center office in Muxía issues the Muxiana certificate for pilgrims completing the 87-kilometer coastal route from Santiago, operating with limited winter hours. Muxía holds particular spiritual significance due to the Santuario da Virxe da Barca and its legendary sacred stones believed to possess healing powers, creating a quieter and more mystical alternative to Finisterre's busier atmosphere. Fewer pilgrims collect this certificate compared to the Fisterrana, contributing to a more intimate experience. Staff provide information about the bus connections back to Santiago.
Oficina del Peregrino - Santiago de Compostela
The main pilgrim office at Rúa Carretas 33 issues Compostelas for all Camino routes ending in Santiago, operating daily with extended hours during peak season (9am–9pm April–October, 10am–7pm November–March). The process involves taking a numbered queue ticket, waiting for the digital board to display your number, presenting your stamped credential to staff, answering brief questions about your pilgrimage motivation and route, and receiving your personalized Latin certificate. Wait times average 30 minutes on weekdays but can extend to 2–3 hours during peak summer periods.
Practical Tips
Stamps: For the final 100km, collect two daily from different locations—morning from accommodation/church, afternoon from bar/restaurant. Photograph credential pages periodically as backup.
Lost credential: Get replacement at any church or pilgrim office. Previous stamps lost but continue from there. Santiago accepts credentials showing 100km completion regardless of earlier documentation.
Santiago timing: Weekdays beat weekends. Late afternoon (5-7pm summer, 4-6pm winter) often moves fastest. Grab queue number, monitor online, explore rather than standing in line. If exhausted, wait until next morning when you're rested.
Not meeting requirements: Walked less than 100km? Request certificate noting actual distance. Forgot stamps in a section? If other sections show clear documentation and dates progress logically, typically accepted. Staff verify genuine walking, not rigid bureaucracy.
Ready to Go?
The credential and Compostela connect you to centuries of pilgrims. Don't let bureaucracy create anxiety—credentials are simple to obtain, stamps easy to collect, and the Compostela process functions efficiently. Focus your energy on preparing to walk—the documents handle themselves.
For more planning advice, visit our ultimate Camino de Santiago guide.
Still haven’t made up your mind on which Camino to take? Browse our tours and feel free to contact our team with questions.
Buen Camino—may your credential fill with stamps and your Compostela hang proudly as a reminder of the journey that changed you!
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