Horry County Court Records
Horry County court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court at 1301 2nd Avenue in Conway, South Carolina. The office handles civil, criminal, and family court filings for the 15th Judicial Circuit, which covers both Horry and Georgetown counties. You can search Horry County court records online through the South Carolina Public Index or in person at one of the county's two office locations. This page explains how to find and access what you need.
Horry County Court Records Quick Facts
Horry County Clerk of Court
Renee N. Elvis serves as the Horry County Clerk of Court, having been elected in November 2016. She is a member of the South Carolina Clerk of Court's Association and oversees all Circuit Court and Family Court operations in the county. The main office is at 1301 2nd Avenue, Conway, SC 29526. The Clerk's office also has a South Strand location in Myrtle Beach for the convenience of residents in that part of the county.
Main office phone is (843) 915-5080. Fax is (843) 915-6081. Office hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Family Court is at the same Conway address, reachable at (843) 915-5081. Security screening is required at all locations. ADA accessible entrances are in place. Closed on major holidays. Public transportation access is available in Conway.
The Clerk of Court processes all court records for Horry County, from initial filing to final judgment. Child support payments are processed through the South Carolina State Disbursement Unit. Purge payments must be paid in cash at the Clerk's payment window. Staff are available to assist with finding records and making copies, but they do not provide legal advice.
The image below is from the official Horry County Clerk of Court page on the county government website, where you can find services, contact details, and links to court records resources.
The Horry County Clerk of Court page provides contact information, office locations, and links to the public records and case search systems for Horry County courts.
Search Horry County Court Records Online
The SC Judicial Branch Public Index provides free online access to Horry County court records. Search at publicindex.sccourts.org/horry/publicindex/. No registration is needed, and basic case information is free to view.
You can search Horry County court records by party name, case number, court type, case status, filing date, and case category. Results show case summaries, party names, docket entries, case status, and hearing dates. Document images are available for many cases. Others require an in-person request. Records from the 1990s forward are generally available online. The system is mobile-friendly and is updated daily. Privacy protections are in place for sensitive data, and home address information is no longer displayed as of January 1, 2026.
The SC statewide case records search page links to all county public indexes including Horry. The main SC Judicial Branch site has court rosters, hearing schedules, and additional tools for court record research. Settlement hearing rosters for Horry County are available through the Clerk's office and are scheduled via WebEx for January through June and July through December terms.
The image below is from the Horry County government website, which links to the Clerk of Court and other county services relevant to public records access.
The Horry County government website serves as a hub for all county departments, including the Clerk of Court, and provides links to public records search tools and other court services.
Horry County Court Records: What You Can Find
Horry County court records cover multiple court types and case categories. The type of record you need determines where to look and what process to follow.
Circuit Court is the primary court for civil and criminal cases in Horry County. General Sessions handles felony charges and more serious criminal matters. Common Pleas handles civil disputes over $7,500. The 15th Judicial Circuit serves both Horry and Georgetown counties with rotating circuit judges. Horry County also has a Master-in-Equity who handles foreclosure and equity matters, taking those cases off the main Circuit Court docket. The SC Circuit Court page describes how these divisions operate statewide. Under § 30-4-10 et seq., circuit court records in Horry County are generally public records accessible to anyone.
Family Court in Horry County handles divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence, juvenile matters, and adoptions. The Clerk manages Family Court files alongside Circuit Court records. Juvenile records and adoption files are sealed and not available to the public. The SC Family Court page explains how these cases are processed. Child support is administered through the State Disbursement Unit at 800-768-5858. The DSS client portal at clientportal.dss.sc.gov provides 24/7 online access to case and payment information for child support in Horry County.
Magistrate Court in Horry County handles small claims up to $7,500, traffic violations, and misdemeanor cases. The centralized Magistrate Bond Court at J. Reuben Long Detention Center, 4150 J. Reuben Long Avenue, Conway, operates 24 hours a day for bond hearings. Phone is (843) 915-5145. Appeals from Magistrate Court go to Circuit Court for a new trial. The SC Magistrate Court page covers how this system works statewide.
How to Get Horry County Court Records
There are three ways to access Horry County court records: online through the Public Index, in person at one of the two Clerk of Court offices, or by written mail request.
To visit in person, go to the main office at 1301 2nd Avenue, Conway, SC 29526. The South Strand office in Myrtle Beach is also available for beach area residents. Bring a valid photo ID. If you have a case number or party names, have them ready before you arrive. Complete the request form at the office. Staff will assist with retrieving files and making copies. Large volume requests may require advance notice. Payment is required before copies are released.
Copy fees at Horry County are $1.00 per page for the first 10 pages, and $0.50 per page after that. Certified copies require an additional per-document fee. Civil case filing is $150. Family Court filing is $150. Motion filing is $25. Appeals are $150. Payment is by cash, check, or money order. Credit cards may be accepted with a processing fee. Receipts are provided for all payments. The full fee schedule is based on state law and is consistent with fees posted on the SC Circuit Court fee page.
To submit a written request, mail it to: Horry County Clerk of Court, 1301 2nd Avenue, Conway, SC 29526. Include the case number or party names, a description of the specific documents you need, your return address, and payment for estimated fees. Under § 30-4-30 of the Freedom of Information Act, the county has 10 business days to respond to a records request.
Horry County Criminal Court Records
Criminal case records in Horry County are part of the General Sessions docket. You can search them through the Public Index by party name to find charges, court dates, and dispositions. This covers cases from the 1990s forward. Older cases may require an in-person or written request.
For a full statewide criminal history background check, use the SLED CATCH system. The fee is $25 plus a $1 processing fee. Results cover South Carolina convictions only. Online requests are typically immediate. SLED CATCH is the official resource for certified criminal history records in South Carolina and is separate from the court case search in Horry County.
For active warrant information in Horry County, contact the Horry County Sheriff or the Magistrate Court. The Clerk of Court does not maintain warrant data. Statute § 14-3-410 confirms that court records in South Carolina are public documents, with exceptions for sealed matters and court-ordered confidentiality.
Horry County Probate, Municipal, and Other Court Records
Probate Court in Horry County handles estates, wills, marriage licenses, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental health commitment proceedings. Marriage licenses issued in Horry County are valid for use anywhere in South Carolina. Both parties must appear in person with valid ID. A 24-hour waiting period applies after the application is submitted. Fees are set by state law. Adoption records are sealed. Historical probate records are available for inspection.
Horry County has multiple municipal courts serving the many cities and communities within its borders. Myrtle Beach Municipal Court handles city ordinance violations and traffic citations within Myrtle Beach. North Myrtle Beach Municipal Court serves that city. Conway Municipal Court serves the City of Conway. Surfside Beach Municipal Court, Atlantic Beach Municipal Court, Loris Municipal Court, and Aynor Municipal Court serve their respective communities. Operating hours and fine payment options vary by court. Some municipal court records appear in the Public Index, while others are maintained locally.
The Register of Deeds in Horry County is separate from the Clerk of Court. It handles deeds, mortgages, plats, and liens for real property transactions. Online search is available. Same-day recording is offered. E-recording is accepted for qualified submitters. Historical records are available. UCC filings are also accepted. Public access terminals are in place at the Register of Deeds office.
Note: For FOIA requests in Horry County, submit a written request to the Clerk of Court or County Administrator at 1301 2nd Avenue, Conway, SC 29526. The county has 10 business days to respond. Search and copy fees apply. Electronic records are provided when available. Written denials must include a legal basis. Under § 30-2-330, personal information protections limit what appears in public copies of court records including those from Horry County.
Nearby Counties
Horry County is in the northeastern corner of South Carolina along the Grand Strand. The links below connect you to court records pages for neighboring counties in the area.