Search Horry County Death Index

Horry County is one of South Carolina's largest and fastest-growing counties, home to Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand. The county seat is Conway. Death records for Horry County begin with statewide registration in January 1915. The county uses an elected coroner and maintains probate court and clerk of court offices that all play a role in the death records system. This guide covers how to find and request Horry County death records through state and local resources, including the online death index and in-person request options.

Horry County Coroner and Death Index

The Horry County Coroner investigates all deaths within the county that fall under coroner jurisdiction according to state law. The office determines cause and manner of death after investigation and maintains files on all deaths referred to the office. The coroner works with law enforcement, hospitals, and funeral homes to complete the necessary paperwork, including death certificates for coroner-handled cases. These certificates flow directly into the state vital records system and become part of the Horry County death index.

The coroner's office coordinates with multiple agencies across Horry County, including the Horry County Police Department and sheriff's office. Deaths in Myrtle Beach and other municipalities may involve local police before being handed to the coroner. All confirmed deaths, regardless of location in the county, ultimately have certificates filed through the same state system. The coroner's office handles cases involving accidents, unattended deaths, suspicious circumstances, and deaths within 24 hours of hospital admission.

The Horry County Coroner's office page provides contact information, office details, and guidance on the death investigation process for all communities in the county.

Horry County Government Death Records

The Horry County government portal serves all unincorporated areas of the county, including communities like Carolina Forest and Socastee. County Administrator Barry Spivey oversees county operations, and the portal at horrycountysc.gov links to every county department relevant to death records, including the coroner, probate court, and clerk of court.

The county portal provides access to probate court, vital records guidance, and all other county services needed to research or request death records in Horry County.

Horry County Probate Court Death Records

The Horry County Probate Court handles estates, wills, and related matters that arise when a person dies. The court has original jurisdiction over marriage licenses, deceased person estates, wills, estates involving minors or incapacitated persons, trusts, and involuntary commitments. Appointments are required to open an estate in person. Email contact for the probate court is hcg.ProbateCourt@horrycountysc.gov.

A will must be filed with the probate court within 30 days from the date of death under South Carolina law. Probate estate files often contain original death certificates, inventories, and family information not found elsewhere. These records are especially useful for genealogists researching early- to mid-20th century deaths in Horry County where the state death index shows a death but the certificate itself has degraded or is hard to read.

Visit the Horry County Probate Court page for filing forms, estate process guides, and contact information for the court office in Conway.

Note: Probate estate files may contain original death certificates along with wills, asset inventories, and court correspondence that provide valuable context about the deceased.

Horry County Clerk of Court Records

The Horry County Clerk of Court is Renee N. Elvis, reachable at (843) 915-5080. The clerk provides services for Circuit and Family Court, including settlement hearings. Minor settlement and death settlement scheduling is available via email. Virtual hearings run through WebEx. A South Strand office in Myrtle Beach serves the beach communities. Death settlements handled by the clerk tie directly to deaths in the county and can appear in court records that supplement the death index.

The Horry County Clerk of Court page provides contact details for both the Conway main office and the Myrtle Beach South Strand location.

Requesting Horry County Death Certificates

Certified death certificates from 1915 forward are issued by the South Carolina Department of Public Health. You can order online, by phone through VitalChek at 1-877-284-1008, or by mail to SC Department of Public Health, Vital Records Section, P.O. Box 2046, West Columbia, SC 29171. In-person requests go to 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

For Horry County residents, a local vital records office is at 1931 Industrial Park Road, Conway, SC 29526, phone (843) 915-8802. The local office handles county-level requests and can answer questions about the filing process. The standard search fee is $12, non-refundable. Each additional copy is $3. A valid photo ID is required. Records under 50 years old are restricted to authorized family members or legal representatives. Records 50 years or older are open public records.

The SC DPH Death Indexes 1915-1967 are free to search online and cover Horry County entries. These are a good first step before ordering a certified copy. The SC Department of Archives and History holds microfilm copies at lower cost for genealogical use.

Cities in Horry County

Horry County covers a large area along the Grand Strand coast. Several major communities call the county home. All death records for residents of Horry County flow through the same county coroner and state vital records system.

Conway is the county seat and the location of the main county government offices. Myrtle Beach is the largest city and a major tourist destination. Carolina Forest and Socastee are large unincorporated communities served directly by Horry County government.

Nearby Counties

Horry County borders several coastal and Pee Dee region counties. Always check the county where the death occurred when searching the death index.

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