While on their journey along the Camino de Santiago, pilgrims carry a credential (credencial), a document authenticating the pilgrim’s progress, and fill it with stamps (sellos). You can get a stamp at most hotels and inns, restaurants, bars, churches, museums, city halls, post offices, police stations and at all albergues. When registering at an albergue, pilgrims present their credential verifying they are walking or cycling the Camino.
In addition, upon reaching Santiago de Compostela, pilgrims can present their stamped credential confirming they have met the criteria for a Compostela. Upon presentation of the credential, the Cathedral office will certify your pilgrimage with a personalized Compostela.
This page summarizes the criteria for earning a Compostela, and how to get the Compostela upon arriving in Santiago.
American Pilgrims on the Camino is pleased to be the only provider of credentials in the United States authorized by the Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago de Compostela. You do not need to be a member of American Pilgrims on the Camino to receive a credential, but we do ask you to register on our website.
In support of our mission, we fill credential requests at no charge. We gratefully accept donations for this service. Interested in learning about where your donations go? Visit our Grants page.
Stay connected to the Camino by joining one of our 60 local chapters! To find a chapter near you, please visit our Local Chapters page.
Become a member and experience the Spirit of the Camino before, during and after your journey. Members are eligible to be trained as hospitaleros, receive a discount at our annual Gathering of Pilgrims and receive access to exclusive members-only events. To become a member, visit our membership page.
If you submitted your credential request more than six weeks ago and have not yet received your credential, please send us an email at credentials@americanpilgrims.org.
If you would like to request a credential and take this next step toward your pilgrimage, use this form. But first, please note these important details:
- Please request a credential only if you are walking/biking within the next 6-12 months. We know you're excited (so are we!) but please, no requests for 24 months from now. We received more than 12,000 requests in 2024.
- In addition to yourself, you may request credentials for up to five others. All credentials will be mailed to the same address.
- Please allow at least one month for processing for North American addresses and five weeks for all others. We try to get credentials in the mail as quickly as possible and deliver them before your indicated departure date.
- We cannot use an expedited delivery service, even if you offer to pay for it.
- American Pilgrims does not share information from credential requests with any other organization or entity.
See our FAQs for additional information on the credential and the Compostela.
Rev 05/01/2025