Court records in Horry County, South Carolina can be searched through several channels. HorryCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases in the county. You can also access records through the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index, the Horry County Clerk of Court office, and public terminals located at the courthouse. These resources cover civil, criminal, family, and traffic case information.
Horry Court System & Jurisdictions
Horry County is part of South Carolina's 15th Judicial Circuit. Several courts operate within the county, each handling specific case types. Knowing which court has jurisdiction over your matter determines where to search for docket information.
- Circuit Court (Court of General Sessions): Handles felony criminal cases, including drug offenses, assault, burglary, and other serious charges. The Clerk of Court maintains these records.
- Circuit Court (Court of Common Pleas): Hears civil cases involving amounts over $7,500, real property disputes, injunctions, and other civil matters.
- Family Court: Covers divorce, custody, child support, adoption, and juvenile matters. Many family court records are restricted or sealed, particularly those involving minors. The Clerk of Court also maintains family court filings, and a divorce packet is available for self-represented litigants.
- Magistrate Court: Handles criminal offenses with penalties of 30 days or less in jail or fines up to $500, civil claims up to $7,500, and preliminary hearings. Horry County has multiple magistrate court locations.
- Probate Court: Manages estates, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental health commitments. Probate records are generally public unless sealed by court order.
- Municipal Courts: Cities within Horry County — including Myrtle Beach, Conway, and North Myrtle Beach — operate municipal courts that handle city ordinance violations and minor criminal offenses within their jurisdictions.
Traffic violations may be heard in Magistrate Court or Municipal Court depending on where the citation was issued and the severity of the offense.
Horry Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
Horry County publishes court rosters and dockets through its Online Services portal, which lists court rosters and dockets among its available tools. To find today's or upcoming hearing schedules:
- Visit the Horry County Online Services page.
- Look for the "Court Rosters and Dockets" link.
- Select the court term or date range you need — General Sessions, Common Pleas, or Family Court rosters are typically available.
The South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index also allows searches by party name or case number and may display scheduled hearing dates for Circuit and Family Court cases filed in Horry County.
For Magistrate Court or Municipal Court calendars, contact the specific court location directly, as these schedules may not appear in the county's online system.
How to Get a Copy of a Horry Court Document
You can obtain court documents from the Horry County Clerk of Court through three channels:
In Person
Visit the Clerk of Court office at the Horry County Courthouse in Conway. Bring the case number or enough identifying information (party names, approximate filing date) so staff can locate the file. You can request either certified or uncertified copies at the counter.
By Mail
Send a written request to the address above. Include:
- Full case number (if known)
- Names of the parties involved
- The specific documents you need
- Whether you need certified or uncertified copies
- A check or money order for the applicable fees
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
Online
Basic case information — including docket entries, party names, and filing dates — can be viewed through the Public Index. However, actual document images typically require an in-person or mail request. Some court forms are available for download from the Clerk of Court's website.
Certified vs. uncertified: A certified copy bears the clerk's seal and signature, confirming it is a true copy of the court record. These are generally required for legal proceedings, background checks, or filings with other agencies. Uncertified copies are suitable for personal reference.
Horry Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court record searches and copies in South Carolina are established under S.C. Code Title 30 and local clerk fee schedules. The following table reflects standard fees; confirm current amounts with the Clerk of Court, as fees may be updated.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certification of a document | $1.00 per certification |
| Search fee (per name) | Contact Clerk for current rate |
| SLED criminal history check (CATCH) | $25.00 per search |
Payment methods: The Clerk of Court accepts payments in person. For General Sessions fines and fees, online payment is available through the Horry County online payment portal on SC.Gov. Traffic ticket payments can also be made through the state traffic ticket payment system by selecting Horry County and entering your case or ticket number.
For statewide criminal background checks, SLED CATCH provides name-based criminal history searches for a fee paid online at the time of the request.
If you are unsure which fees apply to your request, call the Clerk of Court at (843) 915-5080 before submitting payment.