Registering your details in advance for compostela

[Flog]

Just to clear up a question which I have asked several times, but wasn't given an answer to, but will answer now for anyone who would like to know. All at the risk of opening another can of worms but never mind, here goes:

Below is the QR code which takes you to the website to register to get your compostela. You don't need to wait til you get to the pilgrims office. You don't need to wait til the night before, you can do it days or weeks ahead if you wish.

I registered, out of curiosity, on the 24th of March, prompted by an earlier thread. I registered again for someone else on the 10th of April.

This morning I checked. Both sets of details came up on the system. So... you can register in advance if you wish. It makes absolutely no difference finding your code on the system if it's been registered 3 seconds, 3 minutes, 3 days or 3 weeks in advance.

Right now, Santiago is relatively calm after the madness of Samana Santa and it isn't a big deal as pilgrim numbers are relatively low, but it will soon start picking up again...

 

[trecile]

Thank you for checking this out.

People can also bookmark the site if they have any issues with using QR codes.

Acceso agencias

 

[SioCamino]

I would recommend registering in advance, even just the night before. On a particularly busy day last week (either Holy Thursday (just over 2000) or Good Friday (over 2500), i think that the website may have become overloaded by the number of people trying to register at the same time outside the office.
I'm not totally sure as we were working inside but we had a period where >50% of pilgrims presenting had been unable to register. This meant that we had to take those details at the desk slowing the whole process down (probably took twice as long to get thru an unregistered pilgrim)

Have a good stint at the office @Flog! Glad to hear it's calmed down a bit though looks like it's around 1000 a day just now.

 

[Flog]

Have a good stint at the office @Flog! Glad to hear it's calmed down a bit though looks like it's around 1000 a day just now.

Thanks!
Yes, manageable day with about 1000 happy pilgrims. Calm before the storm....

 

[DenWhite]

I take it that registration is also required for a distance
certificate?

 

[SioCamino]

I take it that registration is also required for a distance
certificate?

No, you can ask for the distance certificate at the desk, it's always an optional addition

 

[DenWhite]

No, you can ask for the distance certificate at the desk, it's always an optional addition

What if it is your preference instead of a Compostela and not an optional addition?

 

[trecile]

No, you can ask for the distance certificate at the desk, it's always an optional addition

I think that in order to get a numbered ticket for the queue for both the Compostela and Distance Certificate you need to show that you are pre-registered.
It definitely can't hurt to be registered.

 

[DenWhite]

I think that in order to get a numbered ticket for the queue for both the Compostela and Distance Certificate you need to show that you are pre-registered.
It definitely can't hurt to be registered.

Will do, cheers

 

[SioCamino]

I think that in order to get a numbered ticket for the queue for both the Compostela and Distance Certificate you need to show that you are pre-registered.
It definitely can't hurt to be registered.

Yes i totally agree. What i meant by my comment is that you shouldn't worry about registering in addition for the distance certificate.... Once at the desk getting your Compostela you can request the certificate

 

[SioCamino]

What if it is your preference instead of a Compostela and not an optional addition?

Oooh... That's a question for the Pilgrim Office, maybe @Flog could ask. In my experience you occasionally get pilgrims who just want a stamp and no Compostela... In that case their credential is stamped (but with a different stamp to the usual).
I've never come across a situation where someone doesn't want a Compostela but does want a distance certificate. Possible in theory maybe - but possibly not permitted.

 

[DenWhite]

Oooh... That's a question for the Pilgrim Office, maybe @Flog could ask. In my experience you occasionally get pilgrims who just want a stamp and no Compostela... In that case their credential is stamped (but with a

It seems maybe the new registration system locks you into a Compostela. I thought I had read from older posts when you just took you turn that you had the option. Will go with the flow.

different stamp to the usual).
I've never come across a situation where someone doesn't want a Compostela but does want a distance certificate. Possible in theory maybe - but possibly not permitted.

 

[trecile]

I've never come across a situation where someone doesn't want a Compostela but does want a distance certificate. Possible in theory maybe - but possibly not permitted.

In 2019 I got just a distance certificate. It was no problem at all.
In fact, I have never requested a Compostela. I requested the alternate "welcome certificate" on my first two Caminos, only to discover that the first year I was given a Compostela when I compared them side to side.

 

[DenWhite]

In 2019 I got just a distance certificate. It was no problem at all.
In fact, I have never requested a Compostela. I requested the alternate "welcome certificate" on my first two Caminos, only to discover that the first year I was given a Compostela when I compared them side to side.

This was my understanding but it appears that when you register to attend the Pilgram Office you are registering for your Compostela. Possibly you can request only the distance certificate once your admitted.

 

[Flog]

Pilgrims used to write their details on a sheet of paper at the desk, to be entered on the system by the staff member immediately afterwards. Many people have poor or illegible handwriting, or are too lazy or too dopey to fill in their details on the inside cover of their credential, and this would dump the extra workload onto the staff members who had to decipher it.

So nowadays you pre-register your details to expedite the process for all, to move everybody along more quickly. That's why the security guy wants to see your code, to see you've registered before you come into the building. This was all planned long before anyone ever heard of covid.

Your details are registered on the system for PO statistics and for the purpose of keeping a record should you lose your certificate and need to get a replacement.

If you decide you don't want a compostela, and just want a distance certificate, that's fine, but you still need to pre-register like everyone else and you will be included as a statistic anyway.

 

[DenWhite]

Excellent, that's clear as crystal.

 

[jackrjohnson58]

I am trying to register on the website and can’t seem to find America or United State under ‘Nationality’. Am I the only one not seeing the USA the Nationality field ?!

 

[Tincatinker]

I am trying to register on the website and can’t seem to find America or United State under ‘Nationality’. Am I the only one not seeing the USA the Nationality field ?!

Try looking for Estados Unidos (or just pretend to be Albanian as its near the top of the list )

 

[jackrjohnson58]

I am trying to register on the website and can’t seem to find America or United State under ‘Nationality’. Am I the only one not seeing the USA the Nationality field ?!

Estados Unidos is a Spanish for United States - very cool

 

[La Rubia]

I got my compostela last week, and the process (almost) couldn't have been easier. Registered online the day we arrived, and headed to the PO the next morning. Showed the guy at the door my number, and he sent me on to the office downstairs to get my line number. Honestly, that was the only part that didn't make the most sense, but I guess they have to work with the spaces they have. After I got my line number, I asked that guy how long he thought we'd be waiting, and he looked at the current number and said it would probably be an hour. So we headed to the cathedral for candle-lighting and prayer, and checked via the QR code after about 50 minutes, and it was time to head back. Our numbers were called shortly after we got back, and we were in and out in no time at all. Much easier than previous experiences.

There were quite a few pilgrims milling around outside, trying to get the QR code to work for them so they could fill in the information, and I saw some frustration - if you have the opportunity to take care of this during your own downtime, it will be a calmer experience for you, or at least it was for me.

 

[SabsP]

Try looking for Estados Unidos (or just pretend to be Albanian as its near the top of the list )

hehe I sometimes also try to confuse a computersystem by typing in Belarus instead of Belgium...

 

[Richard of York]

As an English person I can look under E, I, G, B and U and not find my country. Reino Unido starts with R. I have helped pilgrims in Santiago a few times with that one.

 

[Kathar1na]

The dropdown menus have not (yet) been translated from Spanish into the seven other language versions of the webpage for registration of your data for a Compostela that pilgrims can choose from.

A majority of pilgrims who cannot read Spanish can guess their country of nationality because they will be from Europe and the names of their countries sound similar in European languages: Ireland is Irlandia, France is Francia, Italy is Italia, Portugal is Portugal, Switzerland is Suiza. The Germans with their Deutschland are used to seeing Germania or Allemagne as the name of their country, and some may even know that it is called Niemcy and Saksa by their Polish and Finnish neighbours. For the Compostela registration, they are in luck: it is Alemania in Spanish. Estados Unidos for the USA and Reino Unido for the United Kingdom is perhaps the greatest hurdle for foreign pilgrims ...

What I do wonder: Once you picked your nationality from the Spanish menu option, how do you then manage to pick your profession from the Spanish list?

 

[ivar]

This is the new "Page 2" of the updated Credential from the pilgrims office. As you can see they are now encouraging you to register directly from the credential and then write down the code that is then later been generated after you register.

(The photo below is of the dark credential, the Holy Year credential does not have this)

Official Camino Passport (Credential)

The photo above is of a passport with stamps. This passport comes with no stamps, you collect them when you walk. Also have a look at the Pilgrim Passport Sleeve to protect your passport. The credential has place for 54 stamps. This is the Official Pilgrim Credencial (Pilgrims Passport) issued...

www.santiagodecompostela.me

 

[Bradypus]

What I do wonder: Once you picked your nationality from the Spanish menu option, how do you then manage to pick your profession in Spanish?

Which of the options translates to "layabout"?

 

[Little Flower]

I had a hard time to find USA from the list when I registered at Pilgrim Office. Someone told me to use “Estados Unidos,” which is USA in Spanish; it worked, bit ot took a time to find.

 

[Lydia Le]

Can someone post the link for registering online? Thank you.

 

[ivar]

Can someone post the link for registering online? Thank you.

Acceso agencias

 

[Zuleika]

Just to clear up a question which I have asked several times, but wasn't given an answer to, but will answer now for anyone who would like to know. All at the risk of opening another can of worms but never mind, here goes:

Below is the QR code which takes you to the website to register to get your compostela. You don't need to wait til you get to the pilgrims office. You don't need to wait til the night before, you can do it days or weeks ahead if you wish.

I registered, out of curiosity, on the 24th of March, prompted by an earlier thread. I registered again for someone else on the 10th of April.

This morning I checked. Both sets of details came up on the system. So... you can register in advance if you wish. It makes absolutely no difference finding your code on the system if it's been registered 3 seconds, 3 minutes, 3 days or 3 weeks in advance.

Right now, Santiago is relatively calm after the madness of Samana Santa and it isn't a big deal as pilgrim numbers are relatively low, but it will soon start picking up again...

View attachment 123161

Can you send it as a link please as I only have my phone on Camino and therefore can’t access a QR code. Tx

 

[Bradypus]

Can you send it as a link please as I only have my phone on Camino and therefore can’t access a QR code. Tx

The link is in the post by Ivar immediately above yours in this thread.

 

[dougfitz]

Can you send it as a link please as I only have my phone on Camino and therefore can’t access a QR code. Tx

It is in the post by @ivar immediately before yours.

 

[Fortyforward]

Just to clear up a question which I have asked several times, but wasn't given an answer to, but will answer now for anyone who would like to know. All at the risk of opening another can of worms but never mind, here goes:

Below is the QR code which takes you to the website to register to get your compostela. You don't need to wait til you get to the pilgrims office. You don't need to wait til the night before, you can do it days or weeks ahead if you wish.

I registered, out of curiosity, on the 24th of March, prompted by an earlier thread. I registered again for someone else on the 10th of April.

This morning I checked. Both sets of details came up on the system. So... you can register in advance if you wish. It makes absolutely no difference finding your code on the system if it's been registered 3 seconds, 3 minutes, 3 days or 3 weeks in advance.

hi there. How do you check that you are registered, please?

We registered each of us today and only received one email. We don’t know which one of us it is for…..

Thanks in advance

 

[Dani7]

When I pick starting point it does not have Bayonne as a choice. St Jean would be the next. If I pre register and choose St Jean does that mean that my Compostela will say that. I would very much like my actual starting point registered. Thanks to all for your help

 

[Bradypus]

If I pre register and choose St Jean does that mean that my Compostela will say that. I would very much like my actual starting point registered. Thanks to all for your help

The Compostela does not mention your starting point or the distance you travelled. Just your name and the date it was issued. You can ask for a distance certificate which does name your starting point and distance walked

 

[Zoran K.]

Just to clear up a question which I have asked several times, but wasn't given an answer to, but will answer now for anyone who would like to know. All at the risk of opening another can of worms but never mind, here goes:

Below is the QR code which takes you to the website to register to get your compostela. You don't need to wait til you get to the pilgrims office. You don't need to wait til the night before, you can do it days or weeks ahead if you wish.

I registered, out of curiosity, on the 24th of March, prompted by an earlier thread. I registered again for someone else on the 10th of April.

This morning I checked. Both sets of details came up on the system. So... you can register in advance if you wish. It makes absolutely no difference finding your code on the system if it's been registered 3 seconds, 3 minutes, 3 days or 3 weeks in advance.

Right now, Santiago is relatively calm after the madness of Samana Santa and it isn't a big deal as pilgrim numbers are relatively low, but it will soon start picking up again...

View attachment 123161

So how does that work?
I just registered and got the bar code and now what? Do I waitt in line at the pilgrims office ris there a seperate laine for the preregistered pilgrims. What is the purpos of preregistering?

 

[dougfitz]

So how does that work?
I just registered and got the bar code and now what? Do I waitt in line at the pilgrims office ris there a seperate laine for the preregistered pilgrims. What is the purpos of preregistering?

When you get to the Pilgrim Office, you show the barcode to the attendant at the door, who will then issue you a queue slip - another barcode - that establishes your place in the queue. Then watch for that number to be called and go to the station that will be identified on the monitor in the corridor or the waiting room. Once there, the volunteer will scan the first barcode to bring up the details you entered when you registered, check that these are correct, make any adjustments that might be needed, check your credential, and then proceed to print your Compostela and distance certificate. Once the Compostela is printed, they will explain that your name has been translated to Latin for the Compostela, and the distance on the distance certificate is the official distance from your starting point.

After that, you will need to pay at the checkout if you got a distance certificate, and of course for any other memorabilia you might wish to buy from the shop. I also always get a mailing tube at this point because I don't want to crumple either the Compostela or distance certificate in my pack.

 

[Zoran K.]

When you get to the Pilgrim Office, you show the barcode to the attendant at the door, who will then issue you a queue slip - another barcode - that establishes your place in the queue. Then watch for that number to be called and go to the station that will be identified on the monitor in the corridor or the waiting room. Once there, the volunteer will scan the first barcode to bring up the details you entered when you registered, check that these are correct, make any adjustments that might be needed, check your credential, and then proceed to print your Compostela and distance certificate. Once the Compostela is printed, they will explain that your name has been translated to Latin for the Compostela, and the distance on the distance certificate is the official distance from your starting point.

After that, you will need to pay at the checkout if you got a distance certificate, and of course for any other memorabilia you might wish to buy from the shop. I also always get a mailing tube at this point because I don't want to crumple either the Compostela or distance certificate in my pack.

Now, that is what I call a full answer! THANK YOU!

 

[Scottteresa30]

Just to clear up a question which I have asked several times, but wasn't given an answer to, but will answer now for anyone who would like to know. All at the risk of opening another can of worms but never mind, here goes:

Below is the QR code which takes you to the website to register to get your compostela. You don't need to wait til you get to the pilgrims office. You don't need to wait til the night before, you can do it days or weeks ahead if you wish.

I registered, out of curiosity, on the 24th of March, prompted by an earlier thread. I registered again for someone else on the 10th of April.

This morning I checked. Both sets of details came up on the system. So... you can register in advance if you wish. It makes absolutely no difference finding your code on the system if it's been registered 3 seconds, 3 minutes, 3 days or 3 weeks in advance.

Right now, Santiago is relatively calm after the madness of Samana Santa and it isn't a big deal as pilgrim numbers are relatively low, but it will soon start picking up again...

View attachment 123161

ok, I just registered. Do i just take it with me to the pilgrims office? About how long does it take to get it then?

 

[dougfitz]

ok, I just registered. Do i just take it with me to the pilgrims office? About how long does it take to get it then?

See my post four above (#36). You will be let in immediately, but its impossible to tell how long the queue will be at the time you arrive. Earlier this year, it was only a matter of minutes.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

ok, I just registered. Do i just take it with me to the pilgrims office? About how long does it take to get it then?

When you arrive, the quard scan theQr code and gives you a ticket.
You get in and wait till your number come up on the screan in the corridor.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

It’s a total non-issue. On July 1st I was in and out in 10 mins.

 

[Denise63]

I think that in order to get a numbered ticket for the queue for both the Compostela and Distance Certificate you need to show that you are pre-registered.
It definitely can't hurt to be registered.

Don’t want to sound dumb, but what is a distance certificate? And if I use the QR code and register, will that cover me for both? I am scheduled to arrive 8/9/24. Thank you

 

[Bradypus]

Don’t want to sound dumb, but what is a distance certificate? And if I use the QR code and register, will that cover me for both? I am scheduled to arrive 8/9/24. Thank you

The pilgrim office website explains the distance certificate. Just what it sounds like - a certificate with your name which states where you started walking and the distance walked to Santiago. https://oficinadelperegrino.com/en/pilgrimage/certificate-of-distance/

 

[JabbaPapa]

I think that in order to get a numbered ticket for the queue for both the Compostela and Distance Certificate you need to show that you are pre-registered.

This is not true.

Pilgrims without compatible smartphones or other compatible devices can and do still get their Compostelas, and of course they still need to get their numbered ticket.

My advice to such pilgrims would be to wait for a time when there is no queue in front of the Office in order to simplify things for everyone.

 

[Flog]

My advice to such pilgrims would be to wait for a time when there is no queue in front of the Office in order to simplify things for everyone.

If I may be direct, which is not like me at all.. it would simplify things even more for everyone on this forum if you didn't keep giving out this same silly advice.

Look, the vast majority of pilgrims, virtually everyone at this stage, know they need to register in advance now, and do so either from their phone or through another helpful pilgrim's phone.. or from their home PC or laptop or whatever. Those few outliers who don't, either out of ignorance or out of some misplaced act of defiance (??) are directed to register right inside the door before being given a numbered ticket.

Very occasionally a special case such as an illiterate or blind or deaf pilgrim might be helped straight through to the desk and registered there, before being given their compostela, though this would be rare, as they would often be in the care of someone.

But we are all of us special, and we all are equally so. Buen Camino

 

[JabbaPapa]

some misplaced act of defiance (??)

Well that's helpful.

 

[caminka]

Just out of curiosity: if you have registered last year, for example, do you need to do it again this year? Or can your info be pulled from the system and you just need a line number?

 

[Flog]

Well that's helpful.

I understand you're walking right now... to Santiago? Ok then.. can I ask you a straight question: will you bother to register in advance of arriving at the PO or do consider yourself some sort of special case and plan to circumvent the registration process and ask to be directed straight to the desk? I'm just curious.

Just out of curiosity: if you have registered last year, for example, do you need to do it again this year? Or can your info be pulled from the system and you just need a line number?

Yes, each time you want to collect a compostela, you register, simple and easy.

 

[JabbaPapa]

I do very much hope that the Pilgrims Office isn't being affected by today's Internet problems !!

 

[JabbaPapa]

can I ask you a straight question: will you bother to register in advance of arriving at the PO

I attempted exactly that last time and it did not work.

This is because my electronics are incompatible with the system.

do consider yourself some sort of special case

That's most helpful too.

I have made no personal comments, and I won't.

 

[Flog]

I attempted exactly that last time and it did not work.

This is because my electronics are incompatible with the system.

Need not be a problem, if you're not able to do so yourself, one of the security guys will be happy to assist you with registering right inside the door, before giving you a numbered ticket so you can queue for your compostela and all will be well with the world once again.

Edit:
My comments weren't intended as a personal jab at you, and I apologise if you took them that way, however the purpose of my posts, was to give clear and simple advice to anyone reading, who might be concerned about registration.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Need not be a problem, if you're not able to do so yourself

I doubt that anyone has the ability to get Microsoft to provide QR code support for devices that have been out of support for ten years or longer.

And the only actual advice that I gave was, if you are in some situation where it does not work, and mine cannot be the only one, wait until there is no queue at the door in order not to overly importune the other pilgrims nor the PO employees and volunteers.

 

[Flog]

I doubt that anyone has the ability to get Microsoft to provide QR code support for devices that have been out of support for ten years or longer

I don't doubt your word on that, perhaps you can enlist the help of another pilgrim to register for you, as many do.

And the only actual advice that I gave was, if you are in some situation where it does not work, and mine cannot be the only one, wait until there is no queue at the door in order not to overly importune the other pilgrims nor the PO employees and volunteers.

With respect, you have in the past, more than once suggested it's possible to circumvent the registration process and go straight to the desk.

 

[Kathar1na]

Just out of curiosity: if you have registered last year, for example, do you need to do it again this year? Or can your info be pulled from the system and you just need a line number?

Oooh, let me answer this. Splendid question. Such a great invitation to even more speculation.

Over the years, I registered numerous times, always with the aim of assisting people with questions about this still fairly new online registration system. I've deleted all the emails I received with the confirmation and registration number so I don't know what and when things changed over the years. But change they did. I happened to discover that I had overlooked a confirmation email from 2021. It is still lingering in my mailbox. I see that the format of the registration number has changed and that one gets a QR link in the email - something that did not happen during the first phases of the new online registration system.

The old format was a code that consisted of five digits followed by 3 letters.

The current format is 1 letter, 4 digits, 3 letters, 1 digit. It is called "Código de peregrino". It is sent together with a QR code that the staff uses to call up your registration data. Because they now have scanners which they did not have last year.

So you could check whether you think that what you received as your registration code last year is likely to fit current requirements.

But frankly, if you'd ask me which you haven't, I would just forget about my last year's registration number and start a new registration and get a new registration number.

As a more general comment, I would also ignore a few recent posts in this thread. If someone were to ask me which nobody did . Yes, people, not only did they install scanners at the Oficina del Peregrino nowadays, they also installed printers and terminals for those who cannot register on their own devices or don't know how to register on their own devices or who simply don't have their own devices and can't borrow another pilgrim's device. You are all being provided for electronically. Just step inside the Oficina and you will see.

Buen Camino to all!

 

[JabbaPapa]

With respect, you have in the past, more than once suggested it's possible to circumvent the registration process and go straight to the desk.

That is a complete misrepresentation, and not the first one.

 

[Kathar1na]

Now that I have managed to post my long comment, I would suggest that this thread gets closed. It was started 2 years ago with a helpful comment by @Flog to explain that one can register one's application data for a Compostela online and well in advance before the date of one's arrival in Santiago. As far as I remember, this was in response to another poster's misinformation who had wrongly claimed that this is not possible and that you had to register on the day of your arrival or the day before - which is not true and was not true 2 years ago. "Well in advance" means something like before you leave home for your Camino. We are talking about days and weeks and not years.

Other comments in this thread may be out of date by now or a generalisation of a single personal experience in the past. Let us concentrate on the here and now, i.e. the summer of 2024.

That is why I suggest closure. Someone with recent up to date experience as a pilgrim or volunteer could start a new thread about this topic i.e. how far in advance can you register online and how to proceed when you don't own a working personal device for registering your application for a Compostela.