Acting upon the final report of the Riverside County Centennial Advisory Board, the Board of Supervisors established the Riverside County Archives Committee on December 20, 1994. Originally the Archives Committe was advisory to the Riverside County Historical Commission with staff support provided by the County Regional Park and Open-Space District.

On September 23, 1997 the Board of Supervisors elevated the Riverside County Archives Committee to full commission status, creating the Riverside County Archives Commission. The Board directed that, "it shall be the duty of the Commission to advise and make recommendations to the Riverside County Board of Supervisors concerning the development of the County Archives, the preservation of County historical records, documents and objects."

Staff support is provided by the Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder Department.