Myrtle Beach Death Index
Myrtle Beach is one of the top tourist destinations on the East Coast and the most recognizable city in Horry County. Despite hosting millions of visitors each year, Myrtle Beach has a permanent resident population of around 35,000. Death records for Myrtle Beach residents are maintained by the South Carolina Department of Public Health through the Horry County system. This guide covers how to search and request Myrtle Beach death records, who handles local death investigations, and where to access historical data for this coastal South Carolina city.
Myrtle Beach Quick Facts
Myrtle Beach City Resources for Death Records
The City of Myrtle Beach does not maintain or issue death certificates. The City Clerk's office at City Hall, 937 Broadway Street, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 handles volunteer board appointments and city records management. All death certificates for Myrtle Beach residents are obtained through the SC DPH. The city's role in vital records is limited to directing residents to the appropriate state and county resources.
The Myrtle Beach city portal is the starting point for city services, while death certificates require contacting the SC DPH or Horry County.
The Myrtle Beach Police Department provides records through its records section, available Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. The police department also makes Uniform Crime Reports available 24/7 at www.p2c.cityofmyrtlebeach.com. For police records related to a death investigation in Myrtle Beach, you can also submit a FOIA request through the Myrtle Beach Police Department Freedom of Information page. Police incident records are separate from official death certificates.
Police records tied to a death in Myrtle Beach are separate documents from the official death certificate and must be requested through the police or FOIA process.
Horry County Death Records for Myrtle Beach
Horry County Government at horrycountysc.gov is the county that serves Myrtle Beach for vital records functions and death investigations. The Horry County Vital Records office is at 1931 Industrial Park Road, Conway, SC 29526, phone (843) 915-8802. This local office can assist Myrtle Beach residents with questions about obtaining death certificates and understanding the records process before submitting to the state DPH.
Horry County provides the local foundation for death records in Myrtle Beach, while the SC DPH issues all certified copies of death certificates.
| Local Office | Horry County Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Address | 1931 Industrial Park Road Conway, SC 29526 |
| Phone | (843) 915-8802 |
| State Office | SC DPH, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201 |
| State Phone | (803) 898-3630 |
Note: The Horry County Vital Records office in Conway is the nearest local option for Myrtle Beach residents seeking in-person assistance with death certificate requests.
Searching Myrtle Beach Death Records Online
The SC DPH free online death index covers 1915 through 1967 and includes Myrtle Beach deaths filed under Horry County. Access it at dph.sc.gov/public/vital-records/indexes-data/death-indexes-1915-1967. The index shows names, dates, and county but does not include certificate images. Use the index to confirm a record exists before submitting a formal request.
For Myrtle Beach deaths after 1967, submit a records request to the SC DPH. Order online through gocertificates.com, call VitalChek at 1-877-284-1008, or mail a written request to 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Certified copies are $12 each, with $3 for additional copies of the same record. You can also visit the Horry County Vital Records office in Conway for local in-person assistance.
The SC Archives at 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223 holds historical Horry County vital records on microfilm. The Ancestor Hunt blog lists free online South Carolina death record indexes covering Horry County.
What Myrtle Beach Death Records Include
A South Carolina death certificate for a Myrtle Beach resident lists the full legal name of the deceased, date and place of death, cause and manner of death, age, sex, race, birthplace, and last home address. The certifying party is the attending physician or the Horry County Coroner in cases requiring a death investigation. Occupation and next of kin are also recorded on the certificate.
Under Title 44, Chapter 63 of South Carolina law, death records are restricted for 50 years. After that period they are public. Immediate family members and legal representatives may request certified copies at any time before the 50-year mark. The Horry County Coroner's authority over death investigations is established under Title 17, Chapter 5 of South Carolina law.
Historical Death Records in Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach grew as a resort community in the early 20th century and did not become a city until 1938. Before incorporation, deaths in the area were filed under Horry County. For the period from 1915 forward, the SC DPH death index covers Horry County entries including the Myrtle Beach area. For deaths before 1915, the SC Archives and Horry County historical records are the primary sources.
FamilySearch holds indexed South Carolina death data that includes Horry County entries. For genealogy research into Myrtle Beach family history, the combination of the free SC DPH index, the SC Archives, and FamilySearch provides good coverage from 1915 forward. The SC DPH Vital Records page outlines the full process for requesting certified copies and provides information on office locations across South Carolina.
Horry County Death Records
Myrtle Beach is in Horry County. Death records for the city are part of the Horry County vital records system. Visit the Horry County death records page for county-level details, coroner information, and additional local research resources.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Select a nearby city to find death index resources for that area of South Carolina.