Vital Records & Certificates in Myrtle Beach, South CarolinaHorry County Clerk of Court

Myrtle Beach residents and seasonal visitors need vital records for numerous purposes including school enrollment in Horry County schools, passport applications for cruise departures from nearby Charleston, marriage licenses for popular beach weddings, employment verification in the tourism industry, and estate documentation for the area’s significant retiree population. The coastal location and tourism economy create unique documentation needs.

Residents of Myrtle Beach obtain birth certificates through the Horry County Clerk of Court at 1301 2nd Avenue in Conway, approximately 30 minutes inland from the beach. Local births often occur at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center on 21st Avenue North or Conway Medical Center for residents preferring the county seat facility. The Horry County office maintains comprehensive records and offers both walk-in service and appointment scheduling during peak tourist seasons when processing volumes increase significantly. Standard fees include $12 for the first certified copy and $3 for each additional copy requested simultaneously. Expedited processing is available for urgent travel or legal needs.

Beach weddings at venues like the Dunes Golf & Beach Club, Marina Inn at Grande Dunes, or simple ceremonies on the sand at Myrtle Beach State Park require marriage licenses from the Horry County Clerk of Court in Conway. South Carolina mandates a 24-hour waiting period between license issuance and ceremony, though this may be waived by a judge for compelling reasons. The coastal location makes Myrtle Beach incredibly popular for destination weddings, with the clerk’s office processing thousands of licenses annually for couples from across the nation seeking oceanfront nuptials.

Death certificates for Myrtle Beach area residents are processed through the Horry County Clerk of Court in Conway. Given the significant seasonal population and retiree community, the office handles numerous requests from out-of-state family members and estate attorneys. Valid identification and relationship documentation are required, with additional authorization needed for non-family requesters. Processing typically takes 2-4 business days, with expedited service available for insurance claims or legal proceedings requiring immediate documentation.

Divorce decree copies are available through the Horry County Family Court system in Conway. The court maintains digital and physical records for all divorce proceedings within the county. Requests require valid identification, and case numbers significantly expedite processing. Given the transient nature of some coastal residents and seasonal workers, the office frequently assists with locating records from marriages that may have occurred elsewhere but were dissolved in Horry County jurisdiction.

The Horry County Clerk of Court at 1301 2nd Avenue in Conway operates Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. From Myrtle Beach, take Highway 501 west (Carolina Forest Boulevard) inland to Conway, approximately 30 minutes depending on traffic. The courthouse offers metered street parking and a public parking garage on 3rd Avenue. Payment accepted includes cash, money orders, and credit cards. During summer peak season, consider calling ahead or visiting early morning to avoid longer wait times as tourist-related requests increase substantially.

From Myrtle Beach, take US-501 West (Carolina Forest Blvd) inland to Conway. Turn right on 2nd Avenue to courthouse. Approximately 30 minutes from beach area.