The task of the office of the National Archives is to collect, arrange, store, record and look after those documents which public institutions are by statute obliged to deposit in the National Archives. Information from the National Archives is made available to public institutions, private persons, and researchers. In addition to this the National Archives Office acts in an advisory and supervisory capacity for all public institutions with regard to the keeping of records.
The National Archives takes care of extensive and valuable collections of public and private records, which date from about the year 1300 up to the present day. Amongst these is the earliest Faroese Statute Book, The King's Book Kongsbókin, a parchment manuscript containing the earliest written Faroese laws, such as Seyðabrævið (laws concerning rearing of sheep etc.) from 1298 and many others. Amongst the archives in the National Archives are those of the Faroese Parliament Løgting which date back to 1615, the archives of the Danish authorities in the Faroe Islands from the 17th century to the present day, and most of the records of modern public institutions up to 1980. All this material takes up 4,600 metres of shelf space. The general public has the right of access to all these archives, and in accordance with certain regulations they can be consulted in the reading room of the National Archives.
The office of the Faroese National Archives works closely with National Archives Offices abroad, first and foremost with that of the Danish National Archives, where many records relating to the Faroe Islands are kept. The National Archives Office also cooperates with research institutions in the Faroe Islands and abroad.
There are 7 permanent members on the staff of the National Archives. The main archives and reading room are at V.U. Hammershaimbsgøta 11; offices, conservation premises etc. are at V.U. Hammershaimbsgøta 24, Debesartrøð. The National Archives also has external depositories.