The credencial

If you are traveling the Way of Saint James in the spirit of a pilgrim, you can carry a « passport »: the credencial card (also called credencial or pilgrim’s booklet), issued by the Santiago associations. The credencial is a nominative and personal document, valid for life and on all the routes leading to Santiago de Compostela, in all countries. This document allows you to keep a written record of your journey. It must be stamped along the route.

Obtaining the credencial:

This document is essential to the pilgrim who is on his way to Compostela:

  • to recognize the status of pilgrim
  • to allow him/her to obtain, upon arrival in Santiago, from the Pilgrims’ Office, 1, rua do Vilar (1st floor), the « Compostela », certifying his/her pilgrimage.

This document can be provided by a pilgrimage association:

 

Use of the credencial :

Renewing the tradition of letters of presentation or safe-conducts of pilgrims, the pilgrim’s booklet is given to those who request it and meet the requirements (these requirements will be provided by the associations contacted).

Where to get it stamped?

Accommodation, tourist offices, town halls, churches, shops, police stations, etc… all places that can attest to your passage. Upon arrival at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, pilgrims may ask the pilgrims’ reception office for the « compostela », a traditional document issued by the authorities of the cathedral chapter, which proves the completion of the pilgrimage to Santiago. For this purpose, he will present his pilgrim’s booklet.

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