The Records Office had its origin in the Heian-era Office of Records for Land Deeds to Shoen established by Emperor Gosanjo in 1069 in an attempt to wrest back control over land ownership from the Fujiwara line of regents and advisors; it was set as the highest and most powerful branch of the central bureaucracy in the Kenmu government.
記録所は、平安時代に藤原摂関家から権力を取り戻そうとした後三条天皇が1069年（延久元年）に記録荘園券契所を設置したことに由来し、建武政権における中央官庁の最高機関として設置された。