Credential

[White Peacock]

I have some doubts about pilgrim credential and I was hoping you could help me.
I tried to get the answers from SJPDP peregrino office by what I got were general information about opening hours etc and not the answer to these questions. Maybe they did't understood what bothers me.
I plan to start from SJPDP.
Do I have to register in peregrino office?
I already have credential wich I got when I bought a book. But this credential is completely empty.
The thing is that I don't get it who fills the first page with personal informations, name, passport no. etc?
Do I have to do it by myself and just start collecting sellos from alberque in SJPDP?
Or I have to come to peregrino office and have approved my credential in some way by the office?
My credential looks like this in attahment.

 

[SabsP]

No , you do not need to get your first stamp at the office in Saint Jean Pied de Port, nor do you need to " register " there.. A stamp from your first night in the albergue or hotel will do fine.
Although it is interesting to go into the office. They will provide you with a list of open albergues on the Camino and they will be able to give you up to date weather information.

You do have the official credencial from the Oficina de Peregrinos ( and Cathedral ) of Santiago de Compostela.
And yes , you fill in all your details yourself.

Happy planning!

 

[Rick M]

Do I have to register in peregrino office?

No, but its a good idea to drop in, get your first stamp, and find out about any local information about the trail

I already have credential wich I got when I bought a book. But this credential is completely empty.

Good! Wouldn't want a used one!

The thing is that I don't get it who fills the first page with personal informations, name, passport no. etc?

Here is the deal. There is no "official" registration or authority that is "in charge" of the Camino, except the church in Santiago that issues the credentials, and runs the pilgrim office there that issue the Compostelas. You are responsible for collecting stamps along the way to document your journey. The partially stamped credential identifies you as a pilgrim along the Way, and some albergues, but not all, will require you to have one. They will ALL ask for it because stamping credentials is the check in ritual.

Do I have to do it by myself and just start collecting sellos from alberque in SJPDP?

Yes

Or I have to come to peregrino office and have approved my credential in some way by the office?

No

 

[White Peacock]

I already have credential wich I got when I bought a book. But this credential is completely empty.

Good! Wouldn't want a used one!

Of course not!
When I said it is empy I meant on first page with my personal details.
That's is why I asked if I fill it by myself or I have to go to peregrino office so they fill it and officially certify it in some way

 

[Tincatinker]

No registration is required. No-one is in charge or responsible. There are no rules - other than the rules applied by the Cathedral authorities in Santiago pertaining to obtaining a Compostella.

"Walk at least 100 contiguous km to the shrine of Santiago by a route recognized by the Pilgrims Office and obtain two stamps per day to evidence your walk."

Its good to fill in your credencial yourself and to add perhaps your email address and/or your mobile 'phone number so that, should you and your credencial become separated modern technology can help you be rejoined.

 

[White Peacock]

Thank you very much to all of you!
Now it's all clear!
Althougt I can get usefull information in peregrino office as you say it is a good information that I don't need to go there since my train arrives very late and there is a big chance that I will miss the opening hours

 

[Tincatinker]

@White Peacock I wish you Buen Camino. The Pilgrims Office always stays open for long enough for Pilgrims on the last train to walk there and be aided - with accommodation, advice or just a stamp for their credencial. Otherwise you can always drop by in the morning - they're open from 7:30 http://pelerinsdecompostelle.com/bureau-des-pelerins-de-saint-jean-pied-de-port-64/

 

[Washie]

How much is the pilgrim passport in St. Jean? I got mine from Ivar for only 2 euro and it comes free with many books too.

 

[notion900]

except the church in Santiago that issues the credentials

To be pedantic .. there is the widely used credential published directly by the Cathedral and issued (expedida) by the Pilgrim Welcome Office in Santiago (as in the OPs photo, and sold by Ivar on this site) but other credentials issued by Confraternities of St James and authorised Associations in Spain and internationally are also fine. Eg my VDLP one was issued by the Friends of the Camino Sevilla and was sold to me in Triana Backpackers. The Confraternity of St James in the UK issues its own Credential. All of these are valid, as long as stamped in accordance with the Cathedral rules.

 

[lt56ny]

I would also recommend that if you decide to go to the Pilgrim Office you should register, especially in winter. If by some unfortunate circumstance, something happens and your family loses touch at least they will know you were in SJPP and when. Also the info you can get can be useful, again especially in the winter. It is also a really good idea if the office is open when you leave to check the weather forecast. I do not know if they still do this but I remember years back they used to give you a free shell.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Thank you very much to all of you!
Now it's all clear!
Althougt I can get usefull information in peregrino office as you say it is a good information that I don't need to go there since my train arrives very late and there is a big chance that I will miss the opening hours

Even though you do not HAVE to register, I would highly recommend it.
It's a wonderful experience and a great start to your Camino.
Also, they will give you important information about weather and albergue closures that you may not get otherwise.

 

[trecile]

I would also recommend that if you decide to go to the Pilgrim Office you should register, especially in winter. If by some unfortunate circumstance, something happens and your family loses touch at least they will know you were in SJPP and when. Also the info you can get can be useful, again especially in the winter. It is also a really good idea if the office is open when you leave to check the weather forecast. I do not know if they still do this but I remember years back they used to give you a free shell.

Yes, and why wouldn't you want to get your first stamp at the Pilgrims Office?

 

[NorthernLight]

The last time I was in the pilgrims’ office, they had free wifi, so you can send a quick message home to let them know you arrived.

 

[David Tallan]

Yes, and why wouldn't you want to get your first stamp at the Pilgrims Office?

I think the concern expressed by the OP was a late arrival in SJPP.