A pilgrim’s passport is a must on any of the Camino de Santiago routes, (also known as a credential), you must have one to stay in the municipal and parish Albergues, some of the private albergues do not require one.
The passport will have spaces for sellos, (stamps), this proves that you have walked that day and are entitled to stay in an Albergue, (pilgrims only hostels), if there is space, they are valid for walkers and cyclists.
The passport often ends up being a treasured possession as it is a great reminder of all the places where you stopped and stayed overnight. Â The stamps are different, and almost all bars and cafes will have one.
If you are walking from St Jean or very early on any of the Camino routes you need to have one stamp per day. Â If you are walking the last 100km, (from Sarria 112km), or cycling the last 200km, (Ponferrada 205km), you will need 2 stamps per day if you want the Compostela when you reach Santiago de Compostela.
USA pilgrims can join American Pilgrims on the Camino here. You do not have to be a member to request a credential from them, (See here), but membership and donations help you – as they award grants that help make pilgrims’ lives easier on the Camino, from help upgrading hostels and training volunteers to work in the albergues. More info here.
The Irish Society of St James is the Irish association that provides credentials. Â You can order online here and the cost is 10 Euro, you do not require membership. The Irish Society is friendly and organizes Camino information events around Ireland.
The Canadian Company of Pilgrims supplies passports in Canada, see here. Â They have an online ordering of Credentials. Â The cost is 5 dollars and that includes membership.
The Confraternity of St James in the UK provides a wealth of information on their website and via Amazon where they also now sell their guidebooks in digital format on Amazon.
The UK Confraternity has an online ordering system, that looks like it works a treat.  The Pilgrim’s Passport can now be purchased by members and non-members for £5.
The Confraternity of St James in South Africa provides credentials only to members, however, due to visa restrictions, it is worthwhile becoming a member as they provide a letter to enable the visa.
They have good information on their site regarding this process. Â Membership is R40 and the passport is R70 – see this page.
The Australian Friends of the Camino will send you a pilgrim’s credential for free if you are a member, you can order online.
Non-English Camino Pilgrim Associations
If you are living in mainland Europe or further afield these websites can help with a pilgrim’s passport:
Du Quebec a Compostelle for French Canadians
La Société Française des Amis de Saint Jacques de Compostelle – France
German: Deutsche St. Jakobus-Gesellschaft e.V
Region Norddeutschland in der Deutschen St. Jakobus-Gesellschaft e.V
Fränkische St. Jakobus-Gesellschaft Würzburg e.V.
Confraternity of Saint James, Norway
Nederlands Genootschap van Sint Jacob
Sankt Jakobs Bruderschaft Österreich – Austria
Polski Klub Camino de Santiago – Poland
Vlaams Genootschap van Santiago de Compostela – Flemish
Association Belge des Amis de Saint Jacques de Compostelle – Belgium French
Les Amis du chemin de Saint–Jacques de Compostelle Suisse – Switzerland
Confraternita di San Jacopo di Compostella – Italian
Associação de Confrades e Amigos do Caminho de Santiago de Compostela–São Paulo–Brasil – Brazil
Associação Brasileira dos Amigos do Caminho de Santiago – Brazil
Collect Your Pilgrims Passport in Spain
Where can I get a pilgrim’s passport in Spain is a question I am asked a lot. Pilgrim’s passports are also issued in various albergues.
St Jean Pied de Port is where most passports are issued at the start of the French Camino.
In Pamplona main Albergue issues passports, also the pilgrim’s office beside the Albergue in Roncesvalles.
All the main cities, Burgos, Leon, issue the passports, as for the small albergues in between – sorry but I don’t know – if anyone else does let me know and I will post the information here.
Below is a table of all the places where you will be able to buy or donate for a Pilgrim’s Passport for the Camino Frances:
For the Camino Madrid – Association of Friends of the Road to Santiago de Madrid
It is likely that I have missed some places if you would like to add to the list please email me, Leslie using the email address caminoadventures@gmail.com – in addition, if you know of places on the other routes I am happy to add those also.
Buying a pilgrim’s passport is a great gift for the Camino hiker in your life.
| Saint Jean Pied de port | Pilgrims Office |
| Roncesvallles | In the monastery |
| Larrasoana | Albergue Municipal de Pilgrims |
| Pamplona | Municipal Albergue |
| Pamplona | University of Navarra (Pamplona, Spain) – they are open 24/7 – enter by the front and ask for pilgrims office – you can also have your passport stamped here. |
| Puente la Reina | Municipal Albergue |
| Estella | Municipal Albergue |
| Logrono | Municipal Albergue |
| Santo domingo de la Calzada | Albergue de pilgrims de la CofradÃa del Santo |
| Burgos | Albergue de peregrinos (Asociación de amigos del Camino de Burgos) |
| Carrión de los Condes | Oficina del peregrino (Monasterio de San Zoilo). |
| León | Municipal Albergue |
| Astorga | Municipal Albergue |
| Rabanal del Camino | Albergue Nuestra Señora del Pilar |
| Molinaseca | Albergue de peregrinos (Alfredo) |
| Ponferrada | Municipal Albergue |
| Villafranca del Bierzo | Albergue de peregrinos AVE FÉNIX (Jato) |
| O Cebreiro | Albergue de peregrinos a Santuario |
| Samos | Albergue del Monasterio |
| Sabria | Albergue de peregrinos |
| Sarria | Church of Santa Mariña, Rua de Maior |
| Sarria | Monastery of the Magdalena, Avenida de la Merced |
| PortomarÃn | Albergue de peregrinos |
I love hiking, backpacking, and camping. From the Camino de Santiago to the West Highland Way in Scotland or simply a great day hike on the weekend. Hiking refreshes me, my mind, and keeps my body reasonably fit. So far I have walked three Camino routes and many other long distance hikes in the UK, Canada, and around the rest of Europe. One of the best was my hike up Ben Nevis.
Hi (:
Where can I get a Pilgrim’s Passport in Tui or Porto?
Thanks!
You can get a passport in the cathedral in Tui
Thank you for this I gor mine and a couple of other small items from The Confraternity of St James in the UK. Although I live in France I found the UK site very simple to use and they were very helpful. My pilgrim passport and items arrived very quickly. Buen Camino!
Pauline
Where can I get a Pilgrims Passport in Le Puy en Velay please?
There is a pilgrims office on the left narrow street just as you reach the cathedral and you can get one there. Their opening hours can be patchy and they do not open early in the morning.
You also need it if you want to get the ” get out of hell” certificates after walking to Muxia and to Finisterre. On my first Camino I filled three passports walking from SJPDP
I will also be looking fir credentials. Will be in Lisbon, Tomar and Fatima before starting in Valenca do Minho, Portugal.
Hoping to find credentials for me and a sister in lower Portugal or at least in Valenca or Tui. Does anyone know specifics on where to go to get them?
Where can I get a Camino Pilgrim Passport in San Antonio or Austin, Texas