The Compostela, based on a 14th c document has changed many times. There were long periods where it was not issued, especially in the modern era.
The rather arbitrary 100km requirement was introduced in 1999 to ensure some 'suffering and effort' on behalf of the pilgrim.
The TOURIST certificate is given to those who walk for cultural, sporting or any reason other than religious or spiritual. [IMHO it is just as attractive as the Compostela]
3. HALFWAY certificate: You can get this in Sahagun at the Tourist Office for €3
4. DISTANCE certificate: If you walked more than 100 km and you'd like some recognition for your long, hard trek, you can ask for a distance certificate (€3) at the pilgrim office.
5. CATHEDRAL certificate: The Cathedral of Santiago used to offer all those who visit the Basilica of St. James a Certificate of Visit that provided evidence of the stay in the Cathedral. This document, which costs 3 euro, can be ordered at the headquarters of the Confraternity of St. James, at the praza da Quintana, by the Holy Door. The certificate, printed on parchment paper, is personal, and is decorated with an image of the Apostle of the Portico de la Gloria and a detail of the Breviary of Miranda.
6. FISTERANA: issued at the albergue in Finisterre. You must have at least 3 stamps in your pilgrim passports.
7. MUXIA certificate: issued at the albergue in Muxia, you will need to have a stamp at Linares.
There is also a University 'credencial' and 'Compostela'. Known as the Jacobean University credential it is issued by the University of Navarra as part of an initiative launched in 2002 with the aim of extending the Camino of Santiago among the university community on an international level.
The university Accreditation can be requested over the Internet, or can be collected in Pamplona in person, from the Central de la University de Navarra. On this document, and aside from the usual stamps collected by walkers on the traditional credential, pilgrims are asked to have the credential stamped by the universities along their walk. In this way, and, after arriving in Santiago, the walker will be entitled to, not only the traditional Compostela, but also the Jacobean University Certificate (the University compostela) to certify having completed the university pilgrimage to Santiago.
To acquire the University Compostela pilgrims should send by post, email, or alternatively, they can visit the student Office in person (Campus Central building of Pamplona) and submit the original or, a photocopy of the university credential complete with the university stamps, the traditional stamps collected along the Way, the stamp of their University of origin and that of the pilgrim Office which collected the Compostela at the end of their journey. Once the office has received all the necessary documentation from the University of Navarra, the Jacobean University Certificate will be sent to the home address of the pilgrim.
I desperately wanted a Compostela the first time and ticked all 4 boxes - Spiritual, Religious, Cultural, Sport - to ensure that I was given one! I have a Tourist Certificate, one distance certificate and a Fisiterana.
I've walked to Santiago 13 times since 2002 and stopped asking for the certificates.