Horry County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Horry County?

Public records in Horry County are defined according to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), specifically under § 30-4-20(c), as "all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing records, data processing software, and other material prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body." These records document the activities and operations of government agencies serving the public interest.

Horry County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

• Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family) maintained by the Horry County Clerk of Court
• Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments) maintained by the Register of Deeds
• Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates) maintained by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and the Horry County Clerk of Court
• Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious names) maintained by various county departments
• Tax records (property tax, assessment records) maintained by the Horry County Treasurer and Assessor
• Voting and election records maintained by the Horry County Voter Registration and Elections Office
• Meeting minutes and agendas (county commission, boards) maintained by the Horry County Clerk to Council
• Budget and financial documents maintained by the Horry County Finance Department
• Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports) maintained by the Horry County Sheriff's Office and local police departments
• Land use and zoning records maintained by the Horry County Planning and Zoning Department

Many of these records can be accessed through the county's online services portal, which provides convenient digital access to various public records databases.

Is Horry County an Open Records County?

Horry County adheres to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified under Title 30, Chapter 4 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. This comprehensive state statute establishes the framework for public access to government records throughout South Carolina, including Horry County.

Under § 30-4-15 of the South Carolina FOIA, the law explicitly states: "The General Assembly finds that it is vital in a democratic society that public business be performed in an open and public manner so that citizens shall be advised of the performance of public officials and of the decisions that are reached in public activity and in the formulation of public policy."

Horry County government operates in compliance with these state sunshine laws, which require transparency in governmental operations. The county maintains no separate ordinances that would restrict access beyond what is permitted under state law. All county departments and agencies are required to respond to public records requests in accordance with the statutory timeframes and procedures outlined in § 30-4-30.

The South Carolina FOIA establishes that public bodies must respond to FOIA requests within 10 business days for records less than 24 months old, and within 20 business days for older records. Horry County follows these statutory response timelines and provides records in accordance with state law.

How to Find Public Records in Horry County in 2026

Members of the public seeking access to Horry County records may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

1. Online Access: Horry County provides extensive online services for accessing many public records:

   • Court records through the Public Index
   • Property records through the Land Records database
   • Detention center bookings and releases
   • Tax information through the Tax Records Search

2. In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:

   • For court records, visit the Horry County Clerk of Court
   • For property records, visit the Register of Deeds
   • For tax records, visit the Treasurer's Office or Assessor's Office

3. Written Requests: Submit a written FOIA request to the specific department maintaining the desired records. Requests should include:

   • Requestor's name and contact information
   • Clear description of records sought
   • Preferred format for receiving records
   • Date range of records (if applicable)

4. Historical Records: For historical records, contact the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, which maintains an Online Records Index for historical documents.

5. Law Enforcement Records: For criminal history information, contact the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) or the Horry County Sheriff's Office.

When making requests, it is advisable to be as specific as possible about the records sought to facilitate prompt processing. Pursuant to § 30-4-30(C) of the South Carolina FOIA, agencies must respond to requests within the statutory timeframes.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Horry County?

Horry County assesses fees for public records in accordance with § 30-4-30(B) of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, which permits public bodies to establish and collect reasonable fees not to exceed the actual cost of searching for or making copies of records.

Current standard fees for public records in Horry County include:

• Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard black and white copies
• Certified copies: $5.00 for the first page, $1.00 for each additional page
• Search and retrieval fees: $15.00 per hour after the first hour (first hour is typically free)
• Electronic records: Variable fees based on the medium (CD, DVD, flash drive)
• Specialized documents (maps, plats, etc.): $5.00 to $25.00 depending on size and complexity

The Register of Deeds charges:

• $10.00 for the first page of recorded documents
• $1.00 for each additional page
• $5.00 for certified copies

Accepted payment methods include:

• Cash (in-person only)
• Check or money order
• Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fees)
• Online payments for certain records

The South Carolina FOIA provides that fees may be reduced or waived when the county determines that furnishing the information requested can be considered as primarily benefiting the general public. Additionally, § 30-4-30(B) stipulates that "records must be furnished at the lowest possible cost to the person requesting the records."

Fees may vary by department and record type. Requestors are advised to inquire about specific fees when making their request.

Does Horry County Have Free Public Records?

Horry County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with South Carolina law. Under § 30-4-30(A) of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, "Any person has a right to inspect, copy, or receive an electronic transmission of any public record of a public body" during normal business hours, subject to the provisions of the law.

Free public records access in Horry County includes:

• In-person inspection of non-exempt public records during regular business hours (no charge for viewing)
• First hour of search and retrieval time for most records requests
• Various online records accessible through the county's online services portal, including:
  • Court dockets and case information through the Public Index
  • Property ownership information through the basic Land Records search
  • Detention center booking information
  • County Council meeting agendas and minutes
  • County budget documents and financial reports

The Horry County Clerk of Court provides free public access terminals at the courthouse for searching court records. Similarly, the Register of Deeds offers public terminals for basic property record searches.

For historical records, the South Carolina Department of Archives and History provides free online access to certain historical documents through their Online Records Index.

While inspection is generally free, fees may still apply for copies, certified documents, or extensive search and retrieval services as outlined in the fee schedule.

Who Can Request Public Records in Horry County?

Under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, specifically § 30-4-30(A), "any person" has the right to request and receive public records from Horry County government agencies. This broad eligibility extends to:

• South Carolina residents
• Non-residents of South Carolina
• Business entities
• Media organizations
• Non-profit organizations
• Government agencies

The law does not require requestors to:

• Provide identification for most records (though ID may be required for certain sensitive records)
• State the purpose of their request
• Be a resident of Horry County or South Carolina
• Demonstrate a particular need for the records

However, certain exceptions apply to specific record types:

• Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates) require the requestor to demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record, as defined by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
• Criminal history information from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division may require identification and purpose statement
• Records containing personal identifying information may have restricted access under § 30-2-310 of the South Carolina Family Privacy Protection Act

When requesting your own records versus records about others, different standards may apply:

• Individuals have greater access rights to their own records
• Access to another person's records may be limited by privacy protections
• Certain personal information in public records may be redacted before release

Public bodies may require written requests for records and contact information for communication purposes, but cannot generally inquire about the requestor's purpose or intended use of the information.

What Records Are Confidential in Horry County?

While South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act promotes transparency, § 30-4-40 establishes specific categories of records exempt from disclosure. In Horry County, the following record types are generally considered confidential:

• Records containing personal identifying information protected under § 30-2-310 of the Family Privacy Protection Act, including:

  • Social Security numbers
  • Driver's license numbers
  • Financial account numbers
  • Dates of birth
  • Home addresses and telephone numbers of public employees

• Law enforcement records that would:

  • Interfere with active investigations
  • Disclose confidential informants
  • Endanger life or physical safety
  • Reveal law enforcement techniques

• Juvenile records sealed pursuant to § 63-19-2210, including arrest records and court proceedings for minors

• Medical records protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

• Personnel records, including performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and personal information (with limited exceptions for certain salary and employment information)

• Attorney-client privileged communications and work product

• Trade secrets and proprietary commercial information

• Security plans, vulnerability assessments, and infrastructure details that could pose a safety risk

• Sealed court records, including certain family court matters, adoption records, and expunged criminal records

• Tax return information and certain financial data

• Records of executive sessions of public bodies

• Library patron records

The South Carolina FOIA requires public bodies to apply a balancing test in some cases, weighing the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests. Under § 30-4-40(b), "If disclosure of public record would constitute unreasonable invasion of personal privacy," the information may be withheld.

When records contain both exempt and non-exempt information, Horry County agencies will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder, as required by § 30-4-40(b).

Horry County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Horry County Register of Deeds
1301 Second Avenue, Suite 1615
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 915-5430
Register of Deeds

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Horry County Clerk of Court
1301 Second Avenue
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 915-5080
Clerk of Court

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Horry County Administration Building
1301 Second Avenue
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 915-5000
Horry County Government

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Lookup Public Records in Horry County

Horry County Clerk of Court records

Detention Center booking and release information

Land and property records search

Horry County online services portal

Register of Deeds property documents

Detention Center current inmates

South Carolina Department of Archives and History research resources

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division public records

South Carolina Public Records Laws