Carolina Forest Court Records
Carolina Forest is an unincorporated community in Horry County, South Carolina. Because it is not an incorporated town or city, there is no separate Carolina Forest municipal court. Court records for Carolina Forest residents are maintained by Horry County through the Circuit Court, Family Court, Probate Court, and magistrate courts. The South Carolina Public Index provides free online access to Horry County case records, and in-person requests can be made at the Horry County Clerk of Court in Conway. This guide explains how to find Carolina Forest court records through the county system.
Carolina Forest Quick Facts
Carolina Forest Court Information Through Horry County
Since Carolina Forest has no incorporated government, all court functions are handled at the county level. Horry County is part of the 15th Judicial Circuit, which also includes Georgetown County. The Horry County Clerk of Court maintains civil, criminal, and family court records for all unincorporated areas including Carolina Forest.
The main Clerk of Court office is at 1301 2nd Avenue, Conway, SC 29526. Phone: 843-915-5080. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. There is also a South Strand office in Myrtle Beach for residents who live closer to the beach side of the county. The clerk's office is where you go for certified copies, requests involving specific case files, and in-person access to Horry County court records.
The following image from the South Carolina Judicial Branch's Horry County courthouse page shows the court resources available to Carolina Forest and other Horry County communities.
The SC Judicial Branch's Horry County page is the centralized resource for court contacts, public index access, and information about how courts serve Carolina Forest and surrounding Horry County communities.
Horry County's court system includes Circuit Court (Common Pleas and General Sessions), Family Court, Probate Court, Master-in-Equity for foreclosure matters, and multiple magistrate locations throughout the county. Carolina Forest residents fall under the jurisdiction of the magistrate court serving that area of Horry County.
Searching Carolina Forest Court Records Online
The Horry County Public Index is the primary online tool for finding court records tied to Carolina Forest. You can access it at publicindex.sccourts.org/horry/publicindex. The system is free to use and is accessible 24 hours a day. Search by party name, case number, filing date, or case category. Records are generally available from the early 1990s forward and are updated daily.
The online system covers Circuit Court and Family Court records. It shows case summaries, docket entries, party names, and case status. Document images may be available for some cases. For older records or records not yet digitized, you will need to visit the Clerk's office in Conway or the South Strand office.
The SC Judicial Branch case records search page links to all county Public Index systems, including Horry. If you are searching for records in multiple counties, that is the easiest starting point. The system also provides access to Family Court case information and some traffic ticket records from summary courts.
For settlement hearing rosters, Horry County posts a schedule available for January through June and July through December. These hearings can be scheduled via WebEx. Contact the Clerk of Court for scheduling details.
Note: Magistrate court records are maintained separately from Circuit Court records. If you are looking for a magistrate case, contact the specific magistrate office that handled the matter.Horry County Probate Court Records Serving Carolina Forest
Horry County Probate Court handles estate matters, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, marriage licenses, and mental health commitments for all of Horry County, including Carolina Forest. The Probate Court is a key source of historical and family records for this area.
Marriage licenses are issued by the Probate Court. Both parties must appear in person with valid photo identification. There is typically a 24-hour waiting period after issuance before the license is valid. Marriage licenses are recorded in Horry County and can be searched through the probate records system.
Estate and probate records are generally public. Adoption records are sealed. Guardianship records have restricted access in most cases. The image below from the Horry County Probate Court page shows the services available for Carolina Forest residents navigating estate and family records.
The Horry County Probate Court is the official office for wills, marriages, estates, and guardianship records that cover the Carolina Forest area.
Horry County Probate Court fees are set by state law and vary based on the type of proceeding and value of the estate or assets involved. Contact the court directly for fee schedules or to confirm what documentation is needed for a specific proceeding.
Criminal Records for Carolina Forest Residents
Felony criminal cases for Carolina Forest residents are handled by the Horry County Court of General Sessions. These records are searchable through the Horry County Public Index. The Centralized Magistrate Bond Court is located at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center, 4150 J. Reuben Long Avenue, Conway, SC 29526. Phone: 843-915-5145. Bond hearings are held 24 hours a day.
Horry County Sheriff's Office maintains booking and arrest records at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center. These records are separate from Clerk of Court records and are available through FOIA request. The Sheriff's Office can provide information on current detainees and recent arrests in the Horry County area, which includes Carolina Forest.
For a statewide criminal background check, the SLED CATCH system allows name-based searches of South Carolina criminal records. The fee is $25 plus a $1 convenience charge online. This covers conviction records and pending charges across the state but does not include records from other states.
The South Carolina Sex Offender Registry, maintained by SLED, is available for free to the public. It covers all South Carolina counties including Horry and can be searched without a fee.
Family Court Records for Carolina Forest Residents
Horry County Family Court handles divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, domestic violence, and juvenile matters for all of Horry County. The Family Court is at 1301 2nd Avenue, Conway, SC 29526. Phone: 843-915-5081. Records are maintained by the Horry County Clerk of Court and can be searched through the Public Index.
Child support payments for cases processed in Horry County are handled through the State Disbursement Unit. For child support balance and payment questions, contact the SDU at 800-768-5858 or use the online portal at clientportal.dss.sc.gov. The Clerk of Court also processes purge payments directly at the payment window in Conway. Purge payments must be made in cash.
Some family court records, including juvenile cases and adoption proceedings, are not publicly accessible. If you need a record that is restricted, you will need to petition the court directly. The South Carolina Family Court page has information on what records are public and what procedures apply statewide.
FOIA Requests for Carolina Forest Area Records
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act at SC Code Title 30, Chapter 4 applies to all public agencies in Horry County, including those serving Carolina Forest. Because Carolina Forest is unincorporated, there is no separate town government. FOIA requests for court records go to the Horry County Clerk of Court. Requests for other county records go to the county's FOIA coordinator.
Submit written FOIA requests by mail to: Horry County Clerk of Court, 1301 2nd Avenue, Conway, SC 29526. Include specific details about the records you need: case name, case number if known, approximate date of filing, and the type of record. The county has 10 business days to respond for records under two years old and 20 business days for older records. Production of records must occur within 30 calendar days of a positive response.
County administrative records, meeting minutes, and other public documents can be requested through the Horry County Government offices. Electronic formats are provided when available. If a request is denied, a written explanation with a legal basis must be provided, and you have the right to appeal that decision.
Horry County Court Records
Carolina Forest is an unincorporated area of Horry County. All court records for this community are held by Horry County courts. The Horry County page covers the full court system, contact details, online access, and all magistrate and municipal court locations.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
These nearby Horry County and coastal communities also have court record resources available through the state and county systems.