Carolina Forest Death Index Records
Carolina Forest is a census-designated place in Horry County, South Carolina. It is not an incorporated city, so death records for Carolina Forest residents go through Horry County government and the South Carolina Department of Public Health rather than a city office. With a population of over 20,000, Carolina Forest is a large planned community near Myrtle Beach. Death index searches for this community follow state and county procedures. This page explains where to search and how to get certified death records for Carolina Forest residents.
Carolina Forest Quick Facts
How Carolina Forest Death Records Are Handled
Carolina Forest is an unincorporated community, also known as a census-designated place (CDP). It has no city hall, no city clerk, and no municipal government of its own. All vital records, death investigations, and public records for Carolina Forest fall under the jurisdiction of Horry County. This is the same pattern for other Horry County CDPs like Socastee, Forestbrook, and Garden City.
The Horry County Vital Records Office at 1931 Industrial Park Road, Conway, SC 29526, phone (843) 915-8802, provides local access to death certificates for deaths that occurred anywhere in Horry County, including Carolina Forest. This office is open Monday through Friday and accepts in-person requests.
For deaths from 1915 through 1967, the free online SC DPH death index database lets you search by name and year to confirm that a death record exists. For deaths after 1967, you need to request a certified copy from the state or county office. The SC DPH state office is at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201, phone (803) 898-3630.
| Horry County Vital Records | 1931 Industrial Park Road, Conway, SC 29526 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (843) 915-8802 |
| State Vital Records | dph.sc.gov/public/vital-records |
| State Phone | (803) 898-3630 |
| Horry County | horrycountysc.gov |
Vital Records Access for Carolina Forest
The SC DPH Vital Records system is the official state repository for all South Carolina death certificates. Carolina Forest deaths are registered there like any other Horry County location. The state office issues certified copies to eligible requesters and maintains the death index database.
South Carolina's vital records law under Title 44, Chapter 63 governs who can get a certified death certificate. Immediate family members and legal representatives of the deceased are eligible for full certified copies. Others may only receive a statement that the death occurred. Valid ID and proof of relationship are required.
Horry County Coroner and Carolina Forest Deaths
Horry County Coroner Robert Edge oversees death investigations for the entire county, including Carolina Forest. The Coroner's Office is at 2560 North Main Street, Conway, SC 29526, phone (843) 915-5110, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. When a death in Carolina Forest requires investigation, the coroner's office responds.
Horry County sees a wide variety of deaths each year because of its large tourist population and coastal setting. The coroner investigates traffic fatalities, drug overdoses, drownings, and other unnatural or unexpected deaths. The office also handles cases involving out-of-state visitors who die while in the county. Under Title 17, Chapter 5 of the South Carolina Code, the coroner has authority to investigate any death that falls within defined categories. The office uses DNA testing, genealogy databases, and other modern tools to identify deceased persons in cases where identity is unclear.
The Horry County Police Department serves Carolina Forest for law enforcement. The Horry County Police Department is the only remaining county police department in South Carolina and operates a precinct structure to serve the geographically large county. Police records for incidents in Carolina Forest are requested from the Horry County Police Department at 2560 Main Street, Suite 7, Conway, SC 29526.
Note: Because Carolina Forest is unincorporated, there is no municipal FOIA contact for the community. All public records requests should be directed to Horry County departments.
Carolina Forest Death Certificates and Fees
Certified death certificates for Carolina Forest deaths are available through SC DPH. The standard mail request fee is $12 and the expedited fee is $17. Each extra copy is $3. In-person requests at the Horry County Vital Records Office cost $17 for the first copy. Online orders go through GoCertificates.com and phone orders through VitalChek at 1-877-284-1008. Both online and phone orders carry additional vendor fees on top of the state fee.
Mail requests should be sent to: SC DPH, Vital Records Section, P.O. Box 2046, West Columbia, SC 29171. Include a completed application form, a photocopy of your valid photo ID, documentation of your relationship to the decedent, and payment by money order. Standard mail requests average four weeks for processing. Drop-off requests at the Columbia office average two business days for expedited processing.
The SC DPH office locations page lists all local vital records offices across South Carolina, including Horry County. This page is useful if you want to find the closest office to Carolina Forest for in-person service.
Historical Carolina Forest Death Records
Carolina Forest as a planned community only dates to the late 20th century. The land was originally owned by International Paper after being purchased from the Burroughs and Chapin company. For historical deaths in the area before modern development, records would fall under general Horry County historical collections.
Horry County was established in 1801. Pre-1915 deaths in the county area would be found through the South Carolina Department of Archives and History at scdah.sc.gov, 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223. Historical sources include church records from the Conway area, Horry County Probate Court records, cemetery inscriptions, and newspaper archives. The Horry County Museum and local historical societies may hold additional materials. The Ancestor Hunt website lists free online South Carolina death record resources including Horry County materials compiled by researchers.
Horry County Death Records
Carolina Forest is an unincorporated community in Horry County. All death records for the area are part of the Horry County vital records system. For a full overview of Horry County death index resources, offices, and related information, visit the county page.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Other cities near Carolina Forest handle death records through Horry County or other county systems. Select a city to learn more.