The Camino paperwork consists of your Pilgrim Passport, also called the Credencial, and the dated stamps, or sellos, you collect as you walk. The stamped passport records the route you completed and is checked when you request a certificate in Santiago. We provide the official Pilgrim Passport for all our walkers.
- If you complete only the minimum qualifying distance, collect a dated stamp at the start and end of every stage.
- Complete at least 100 km on foot or horseback, or 200 km by bicycle, on an official Camino route ending in Santiago.
- We have your Pilgrim Passport ready when you arrive, so you can collect stamps from your first day.
- The Compostela is reserved for religious or spiritual motivations. You can also request a Certificate of Distance, which records your route and kilometres.
- Keep your passport dry and secure because you must present it at the Pilgrim Reception Office.
What Is the Credencial del Peregrino?
Walking the Camino feels simple because you follow the yellow arrows from stage to stage. The paperwork is equally straightforward.
The Credencial del Peregrino, or Camino passport, is a foldable card with spaces for dated stamps from the route.
Why Do You Need a Pilgrim Passport on the Camino?
A pilgrim’s passport is important for two reasons. First, it identifies you as a Camino walker and creates a dated record of the route you complete. We arrange your hotels with breakfast, luggage transfers and emergency support, so you can focus on collecting stamps rather than managing the logistics.
Proof of Your Walk for the Compostela
The passport proves the route you completed. The Pilgrim Reception Office checks your dated stamps against the eligibility rules below. Without the passport, you cannot receive the Compostela.
How to Get a Camino Passport Before You Walk
Passports can be obtained from several authorised parish churches, confraternities of St James, and Camino associations along the route. When you walk with U Walk, we will have your passport ready when you arrive.
How Camino Stamps Work and Where to Get Them
If you complete only the minimum qualifying distance, collect a dated stamp at the start and end of every stage.
Where to Get Camino Stamps
Don’t worry, they’re everywhere and can be found in bars, restaurants, hotels, post offices, churches, museums, and even the odd food seller by the side of the road.
What to Do if You Miss a Stamp
A later stamp may not replace a missing start or end stamp. Contact our support team and the Pilgrim Reception Office if the gap falls within the minimum qualifying distance.
If anything, you’ll grow to love the stamp collecting. Many come with delightful designs and when you look back at your passport in years to come, these stamps will bring back vivid memories of your walk.
What Happens if You Lose Your Pilgrim Passport?
Contact our support team as soon as you notice your passport is missing. We can help you assess the stamps you have lost and explain the next practical steps.
You may be most disappointed about losing a personal record of your walk, so keep your passport in a waterproof pouch and check it at the end of each day.
How to Collect Your Compostela Certificate in Santiago
When you reach the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, one final step remains before you collect your certificate.
Eligibility Rules for the Compostela
To qualify, complete at least 100 km on foot or horseback, or 200 km by bicycle, on an official route ending in Santiago. Pilgrims completing only the minimum distance must get a dated stamp at the start and end of each stage. Check the official Compostela requirements before you walk.
The Pilgrim’s Office Process
Go to the Pilgrim Reception Office at Rúa Carretas 33 and take a ticket. Use the QR code on the ticket to check the queue in real time. During busy periods, same-day collection is not guaranteed, so allow enough time.
When your turn arrives, present your stamped passport. The team will check it against the certificate requirements and prepare the relevant document.
The Compostela and Certificate of Distance
The Compostela is written in Latin and is reserved for pilgrims who complete the Camino for religious or spiritual reasons. You can also request a Certificate of Distance, which records your starting point, route, distance and arrival date.
Practical Tips for Managing Your Camino Paperwork
- Keep your passport in a waterproof pouch or sealed plastic bag, and store it in a secure pocket.
- Check that every stamp includes the correct date before you leave each stopping point.
- You do not need to visit the office immediately after arriving. If you are staying in Santiago for a few days, our guide to places to visit in Santiago de Compostela can help you plan your time. Allow extra time during busy periods because same-day collection is not guaranteed.
We provide your Pilgrim Passport and arrange your hotels with breakfast, luggage transfers and emergency support. Explore our Camino walking tours to find the route that suits you.
