Horry County Court Records Search

Horry County is one of the largest and fastest-growing counties in South Carolina, with a court system that generates a substantial volume of legal records each year. The county seat is Conway, where most court offices are centralized at the Horry County Government & Justice Center. Whether you need to look up a criminal charge, review a civil judgment, obtain a divorce decree, or research a probate matter, understanding where and how to access these records is essential. This guide covers the primary methods for searching and requesting court records maintained by the various judicial offices in Horry County.

Residents and the public can begin locating court records through several channels, including the offices of the Clerk of Court, the Probate Court, magistrate courts throughout the county, and state-level databases. The South Carolina Judicial Branch maintains an online portal at SouthCarolinaCourts.us that can help individuals identify publicly available court case information across the state, including records indexed from Horry County’s Fifteenth Judicial Circuit. In addition to web-based tools, records may be obtained in person at the courthouse, by mail, or through formal written requests to the appropriate custodial office.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Horry County?

There are multiple ways to search for court cases filed within Horry County’s judicial system. The method you choose will depend on the type of case, how much identifying information you have, and whether you need certified copies or simply want to view basic case data.

Online Search Tools

Horry County offers two primary online platforms for locating court records:

Public Index — The South Carolina Judicial Branch operates the Public Index, which allows the public to search circuit, family, and some magistrate court records by case number, case type, party name, date range, or court agency. This free tool provides basic case information, including party names, case actions, and associated case numbers.
Horry County AcclaimWeb — The county maintains an Official Records Search tool for searching by party name (grantor or grantee). Users can filter results by document type and date range. After locating a document, it can be added to a cart and purchased for unredacted viewing over a 24-hour period.
Family Court Public Access — The South Carolina Department of Social Services provides a Family Court Public Access Search where users can look up family court case data by party name or case information.
Probate Court Public Inquiry — Probate cases can be searched through the Horry County Probate Court Public Inquiry Tool, which offers searches by case number, case type, or party name.

In-Person Requests

Individuals may visit the Horry County Clerk of Court’s office during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) to search records or request copies. Staff can assist with locating cases when provided with the parties’ names, case numbers, or other identifying details. A government-issued photo ID may be required, particularly for restricted records. The Clerk’s office is located at:

Horry County Clerk of Court
Address: 1301 Second Avenue, Conway, SC 29526
Mailing: P.O. Box 677, Conway, SC 29528
Phone: (843) 915-5080
Fax: (843) 915-6081
Family Court Line: (843) 915-5081

Mail Requests

Written requests can be mailed to the Clerk of Court. A request should include the requester’s name, phone number, and mailing address, along with as much identifying case information as possible — including the full name of parties involved, any known case numbers, the type of record being sought, and whether certified copies are needed. Applicable search and copying fees must accompany the request.

Are Court Records Public in Horry County?

Court records in Horry County are generally open to public inspection. The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified in Title 30, Chapter 4 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, establishes that records created and maintained by public bodies are presumptively public and must be made available for inspection and copying unless a specific exemption applies.

However, several categories of court records carry access restrictions under state law and court rules. Records that are typically sealed, redacted, or limited to authorized parties include:

Juvenile records — Proceedings involving minors in the family court system are generally confidential.
Adoption records — These are sealed and accessible only by court order or to specifically authorized persons.
Expunged records — Cases that have been expunged are removed from public databases.
Sealed or vacated records — A judge may order certain records sealed for reasons of privacy or safety.
Records containing sensitive personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and certain victim information may be redacted from public copies.

When copies of court records are released, the Clerk’s office may redact protected information before providing them. Authorized persons — such as parties to the case, their attorneys, and immediate family members — may access certain restricted records by presenting valid identification and, in some situations, a court order.

Individuals who need access to records not readily available through public channels may submit a formal FOIA request to the Horry County Public Information Office:

Public Information Office
Address: 1301 Second Avenue, Conway, SC 29526
Phone: (843) 915-5390

Horry County Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases in Horry County are handled primarily through the Court of General Sessions, which is part of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit. This court has jurisdiction over adult felony cases and misdemeanor offenses carrying penalties of more than 30 days in jail or fines exceeding $500. Lesser criminal matters — including DUI charges, minor assault, and certain domestic violence offenses — are adjudicated by the county’s magistrate courts.

Searching Criminal Case Records

Criminal case records can be searched through the Public Index maintained by the South Carolina Judicial Branch. Searches can be conducted by party name, case number, case type, or date range.

Statewide Criminal History Checks

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) maintains criminal history records for the entire state. Individuals can conduct name-based criminal background checks through the SLED CATCH system. To run a search, the following is required:

Subject’s last name and first initial
Date of birth
A non-refundable fee of $25 (or $8 for qualifying charitable organizations)

SLED also accepts mail-in requests at:

SLED Records Department
P.O. Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221-1398

Fingerprint-based background checks are available only when required by statute. The CATCH database does not include sex offender information, which is maintained separately on the South Carolina Sex Offender Registry.

Arrest and Detention Records

The Horry County Sheriff’s Office serves as the custodian of arrest records, charges, warrants, and detention information. The Sheriff’s Office operates the J. Reuben Long Detention Center and maintains a searchable online bookings and release database where the public can look up current and recent inmates by last name, booking date, or release date.

Horry County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 1301 Second Avenue, Conway, SC 29526
Mailing: P.O. Box 380, Conway, SC 29526
Phone: (843) 915-5450
Fax: (843) 915-6451

Key Criminal Court Locations

Court	Address	Phone
Horry County Courthouse (General Sessions)	1201 Third Avenue, Conway, SC 29526	(843) 915-5080
Centralized Magistrate Bond Court	J. Reuben Long Detention Center, 4150 J. Reuben Long Ave., Conway, SC 29526	(843) 915-5145
Preliminary Hearing Court	1201 21st Avenue North, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577	(843) 444-6127
Criminal Domestic Violence Court	1201 Third Avenue, Conway, SC 29526	(843) 915-5065
Central Traffic Court	1201 Third Avenue, Conway, SC 29526	(843) 915-5070

Horry County Civil Court Records

Civil matters in Horry County are heard through the Court of Common Pleas, which is the civil division of the Circuit Court within the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit. This court handles lawsuits involving contract disputes, personal injury claims, landlord-tenant disagreements, debt collection actions, real property disputes, and other civil litigation. Magistrate courts also hear civil cases with claims below their jurisdictional limits.

How to Obtain Civil Court Records

The Horry County Clerk of Court serves as the official custodian of all civil case records filed in Circuit Court. Records can be obtained through three channels:

Online — Use the Public Index to search by case number, party name, or case type. Basic case data, including party information, associated actions, and filing dates, is displayed at no charge.
In Person — Visit the Clerk of Court’s office at 1301 Second Avenue, Conway, SC 29526, during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Provide the case number or party names. Applicable copying fees will be assessed, and a valid photo ID may be required.
By Mail — Send a written request to the Clerk of Court at P.O. Box 677, Conway, SC 29528. Include the case number or party names, specify whether certified or uncertified copies are needed, and enclose the applicable fee.

Records containing personal or sensitive information — such as financial disclosures in debt collection matters — may only be released to authorized persons, including the parties to the case, their legal counsel, or their immediate family members. Individuals requesting certified copies should indicate this clearly, as the Clerk’s office stamps certified records to authenticate them as true copies of the originals.

Property-Related Civil Records

Land transfers, deeds, mortgages, tax liens, and plats are maintained by the Horry County Register of Deeds. These can be searched through the county’s AcclaimWeb Official Records Search or the free Land Records Search tool, which allows searches by owner name, address, tax map number, or subdivision. The Register of Deeds charges service fees for copies.

Horry County Register of Deeds
Address: 1301 Second Avenue, Conway, SC 29526
Mailing: P.O. Box 470, Conway, SC 29526
Phone: (843) 915-5430
Fax: (843) 915-6430
Email: hcg.RegisterOfDeeds@horrycountysc.gov

Horry County Family Court Records

The Horry County Family Court handles a broad range of domestic and family-related legal proceedings, including divorce and annulment, child custody and visitation, child support enforcement and modification, paternity actions, domestic violence protective orders, and juvenile matters. The Family Court operates under the umbrella of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit and is housed at:

Horry County Family Court
Address: 1301 Second Avenue, Conway, SC 29526
Phone: (843) 915-5081
Fax: (843) 915-6082

Accessing Family Court Records

Family court case information can be searched through the Public Index by party name or case number. The South Carolina Department of Social Services also offers a Family Court Public Access search tool that allows the public to search by party or docket information.

Due to the sensitive nature of family proceedings, significant portions of family court records are restricted. Juvenile case files are confidential under South Carolina law, and adoption records are sealed. Domestic violence proceedings may also contain information shielded from public disclosure. Access to restricted family court records is generally limited to parties in the case, their attorneys, and in some circumstances immediate family members, all of whom may need to present valid identification.

Divorce Records

Divorce decrees filed through the Family Court are maintained by the Clerk of Court. Certified copies of divorce records from July 1962 through December 2022 are also available through the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC). The fee for a divorce record from SCDHEC is $17 (non-refundable) for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy. Phone requests typically take 5–7 business days; in-person requests at the SCDHEC office in Columbia take 30–45 minutes. Under South Carolina Code Section 44-63-80, only authorized parties — the individuals named in the divorce, their adult children, their current spouses, or their legal representatives — may obtain certified copies.

SCDHEC State Vital Records Office
Address: 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 898-3630

Marriage Records

Marriage licenses and certificates are issued and maintained by the Horry County Probate Court. Applications are accepted in person Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Both applicants must appear in person with their Social Security cards and valid identification. A state-mandated 24-hour waiting period applies between application and issuance.

Applicant Residency	Marriage License Fee
Horry County Resident	$55.00*
South Carolina Resident	$80.00*
Out-of-State Resident	$120.00*

*Includes $5.00 for one certified marriage certificate.

Fees must be paid in cash (for in-person applicants) or by money order payable to Horry County Probate Court. Mail-in applications must be received at least 30 days before the anticipated ceremony date and can be sent using the Marriage License Application form.

Certified copies of marriage certificates can be obtained by completing the Certified Marriage Certificate Request Form and mailing it with $5.00 per copy (records from 1994 to present) or $10.00 research fee plus $5.00 per copy (records prior to 1994) to:

Horry County Probate Court
Attn: Marriage License Division
P.O. Box 288, Conway, SC 29528

Horry County Probate Court Records

The Horry County Probate Court exercises exclusive original jurisdiction over probate matters and several related categories of cases. The court is located on the second floor of the Horry County Government & Justice Center in Conway and operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Horry County Probate Court
Address: 1301 Second Avenue, Conway, SC 29526
Mailing: P.O. Box 288, Conway, SC 29528
Phone: (843) 915-5370
Fax: (843) 915-6370
Email: hcg.ProbateCourt@horrycountysc.gov

Types of Cases Handled

The Probate Court handles the following categories of matters:

Estate Administration — Processing the estate of a deceased person, including the probate of wills and distribution of assets to heirs and devisees. Under South Carolina law, a will must be filed with the court within 30 days of the date of death. Most estates proceed through informal administration unless an interested party demands a hearing under South Carolina Code Section 62-3-204.
Guardianship and Conservatorship — Appointing guardians to manage the personal affairs of incapacitated adults or minors, and conservators to manage their financial affairs. Incapacity may result from mental illness, physical disability, advanced age, or chronic substance abuse, among other causes.
Involuntary Commitments — Proceedings for the institutionalization of individuals who, due to mental illness or substance abuse, pose a risk of harm to themselves or others. Individuals seeking to initiate such proceedings must first contact Waccamaw Center for Mental Health for an assessment before petitioning the Probate Court.
Marriage Licensing — Issuing marriage licenses and maintaining records of marriage certificates, as described in the Family Court Records section above.

Searching Probate Records

Probate case records can be searched online through the Horry County Probate Court Public Inquiry Tool. Users may search by case number, case type, or party name to access estate, guardianship, conservatorship, and trust case records.

In-person requests can be made at the Probate Court during business hours. The court also accepts requests by phone and email. Individuals seeking to open estate proceedings or file guardianship petitions can access the necessary forms through the Probate Court Forms page on the county website, which provides downloadable packets for estate administration, guardianship, conservatorship, and general court filings. To schedule an appointment for estate matters, contact the court at (843) 915-5371 or (843) 915-5372. Opening appointments generally last approximately one hour.

Birth and Death Records

While not maintained by the Probate Court, birth and death records are sometimes relevant in probate and family proceedings. In South Carolina, the SCDHEC serves as the official custodial agency for vital records. Copies can be obtained through the following methods:

Online — Through authorized vendors for a $17 non-refundable search fee, plus $3 per additional copy and $8.70 processing fee. Turnaround is 5–7 business days.
Phone — Call (877) 284-1008. Limited to the registrant requesting their own record. Fee applies; 5–7 business day turnaround.
In Person — Complete a vital records application form at the regional SCDHEC office. Fee is $17 plus $3 per extra copy. Records are typically available within 30–45 minutes.

The Horry County regional SCDHEC office is located at:

SCDHEC Horry County Office
Address: 1931 Industrial Park Road, Conway, SC 29526
Phone: (843) 915-8802

Under South Carolina Code Section 44-63-80, certified copies of birth and death records are only issued to the registrant (if of legal age), their parents, legal guardians, or authorized legal representatives. A valid government-issued, employer-issued, or school-issued ID is required for all requests.