The National Archives of Estonia is the centre of archival administration in Estonia and has its departments in Tallinn, Tartu, Rakvere and Valga. The main task of the National Archives is to ensure preservation and usability of society’s written memory, documented cultural heritage for today’s and future generations. On the other hand, the National Archives guarantees the protection of citizens’ basic rights and duties as well as the transparency of the democratic state through the holding and preservation of archival records. The National Archives is a government agency in the domain of Ministry of Education and Research acting on the basis of Archives Act and Archival rules.