Conway Death Index and Records
Conway death index records are held by the South Carolina Department of Public Health and by Horry County vital records offices. Conway is the county seat of Horry County and one of the oldest towns in South Carolina, established in 1732 along the Waccamaw River. Deaths registered in Conway from 1915 onward are included in the state death index. This guide covers how to search Conway death records, where to request certified copies, and how to find older records from before statewide registration began.
Conway Quick Facts
Accessing the Conway Death Index
The Horry County Vital Records Office is located at 1931 Industrial Park Road, Conway, SC 29526, phone (843) 915-8802. This office is the local point of access for death certificates for deaths occurring in Conway and the rest of Horry County. The Horry County Coroner's Office is also located in Conway at 2560 North Main Street, Conway, SC 29526, phone (843) 915-5110.
The free online SC DPH death index for 1915 to 1967 lets you search by name and confirm whether a death record exists for that period. This is the first step for genealogy researchers working on Conway family histories. For deaths after 1967, you must request a certified copy from the county or state office.
The SC DPH office locations page shows all local vital records offices in South Carolina, including the Conway office serving Horry County. The main state office at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201, phone (803) 898-3630, accepts mail and in-person requests for all South Carolina death records.
| Horry County Vital Records | 1931 Industrial Park Road, Conway, SC 29526 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (843) 915-8802 |
| Horry County Coroner | 2560 North Main Street, Conway, SC 29526 |
| Coroner Phone | (843) 915-5110 |
| State Office | dph.sc.gov/public/vital-records |
Horry County Death Records and Conway
Conway is the county seat of Horry County. All vital records and death investigation services for the city are provided by Horry County agencies. The Horry County Government website provides contact information for the coroner, vital records office, and other county departments relevant to death records.
The Horry County Coroner's Office investigates all deaths in Conway that require coroner attention under Title 17, Chapter 5 of the South Carolina Code. This includes violent deaths, suspicious deaths, sudden deaths of apparently healthy persons, and deaths occurring within 24 hours of hospital admission. Horry County, with its large tourist population, also handles deaths involving out-of-county and out-of-state visitors. The coroner works to identify the deceased and notify next of kin in all cases, including those where identity is initially unclear.
The city of Conway also maintains its own cemeteries. The City of Conway Parks and Recreation Department manages burial records for city-owned burial grounds. Cemetery records often contain death dates and decedent information that can confirm or supplement entries in the death index.
Conway Area Vital Records Office
The local SC DPH vital records office in Conway is one of several satellite offices across South Carolina that provide in-person access to certified death certificates. Using the local office avoids the trip to Columbia and typically results in faster same-day service.
In-person requests are usually processed on the same day. Non-peak hours at vital records offices are typically mid-morning on Tuesday through Thursday. Bring a valid photo ID, payment, and any documentation showing your relationship to the decedent.
Conway City Government and Death Records
The City of Conway is a historic river town that operates under a Council form of government. The city maintains departments covering administration, finance, fire, police, municipal court, parks and recreation, planning, public utilities, public works, and solid waste. The City Clerk serves as the official record keeper for Conway and manages public records requests under South Carolina's FOIA law.
The Conway Municipal Court handles ordinance violations, traffic cases, and misdemeanor criminal matters within the city limits. Court records are part of the public record and can be requested from the Municipal Court Clerk. The court also offers online fine payment through the BS&A Online Services portal. Municipal court records may be relevant when a death is connected to a criminal case or traffic incident in Conway.
Police records for incidents in Conway are maintained by the Conway Police Department. Records requests should be submitted in writing under FOIA procedures. The city must acknowledge requests within ten business days and produce records within thirty calendar days.
Note: Conway was established in 1732, making it one of the oldest communities in South Carolina. Researchers working on Conway genealogy have a long history to explore, but statewide death registration did not begin until 1915.
Conway Death Certificates and Eligibility
South Carolina vital records law under Title 44, Chapter 63 limits who can receive a full certified death certificate. Eligible requesters are the spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or legal representative of the decedent. All other requesters may only receive a statement that the death occurred, including the date and county, not a full certificate.
Request methods include in person at the Conway vital records office or the Columbia state office. Mail to SC DPH, P.O. Box 2046, West Columbia, SC 29171 with the $12 standard fee. Online through GoCertificates.com with the $17 expedited fee. Phone through VitalChek at 1-877-284-1008, available around the clock. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $3. In-person requests at county offices cost $17 for the first copy.
Historical Conway Death Records
Conway has records going back nearly 300 years, but statewide death registration only began in 1915. For pre-1915 death research in Conway, the best sources include the South Carolina Department of Archives and History at scdah.sc.gov, Horry County Probate Court records, church records from historic Conway congregations, and newspaper archives from the area.
The Ancestor Hunt at theancestorhunt.com provides a curated list of free South Carolina death record resources. FamilySearch has genealogy records for Horry County that may include Conway-area materials. Census mortality schedules from 1850 to 1880 are also available through FamilySearch and list deaths in each household during those census years.
Horry County Death Index Records
Conway is the county seat of Horry County. All death records for Conway residents are part of the Horry County vital records system. For a full overview of county death index resources, offices, and related information, visit the Horry County page.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Other cities near Conway have death records through their own county offices. Select a city to learn more about death index records in that area.