The Language Control Department has the following functions:
- exercise control over the compliance with the laws and regulations on the use of the official language;
- take measures to protect the rights and interests of the user of the official language in cases of violating the Official Language Law and other laws and regulations;
- examine cases on administrative violations and to impose administrative fines according to the procedure set out in the laws and regulations.
The Official Language Law does not apply to the use of language in unofficial communications of the inhabitants of Latvia, in internal communications of national and ethnic groups, or in services, ceremonies, rituals and other kinds of religious activity of religious organisations.