Conway Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Conway dissolution of marriage records are held at the Horry County Family Court right in downtown Conway. Conway is the Horry County seat with about 24,000 residents, and it is where all county court functions are based. Dissolution of marriage cases for Conway residents, as well as those from across Horry County, are filed and maintained here. The Horry County Clerk of Court at 1301 2nd Avenue handles all filings, certified copies, and public access to dissolution of marriage records.
Conway Quick Facts
Conway Family Court Location and Hours
The City of Conway is the Horry County seat, and the Horry County Clerk of Court is right in the heart of downtown at 1301 2nd Avenue. The office sits directly across from the historic courthouse in the county governmental complex. This location handles all dissolution of marriage filings for Conway and the rest of Horry County. Because Conway is the county seat, you do not have to travel far if you live in town.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The office is closed on all state and federal holidays. Free public parking is available in the adjacent lots next to the governmental complex. You can also park along the nearby streets at no cost. This makes the Conway courthouse one of the more accessible county courthouses in South Carolina, especially compared to locations with paid parking only.
| Court | Horry County Family Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 1301 2nd Avenue Conway, SC 29526 |
| Phone | (843) 915-5081 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Parking | Free in adjacent lots and nearby streets |
| County Website | horrycounty.org/Departments/Clerk-of-Court |
Bring a valid photo ID when you visit the Conway courthouse. Your case number is helpful but not always required for the clerk to locate your file. The downtown location in Conway also gives you convenient access to both family court records and the county vital statistics office in one trip.
Getting to the Conway Courthouse
The Horry County courthouse in Conway is easy to reach from most parts of the county. From Coastal Carolina University, take University Boulevard east to 2nd Avenue, then turn south toward downtown Conway. The Horry County Clerk of Court is located at 1301 2nd Avenue, just a few blocks into the downtown area. The trip from the university campus takes about 10 minutes in normal traffic.
From Myrtle Beach, take US-501 west toward Conway. Once you reach the Conway area, follow the signs to downtown and turn onto 2nd Avenue. The courthouse complex is on your right. The drive from Myrtle Beach runs about 20 to 25 minutes depending on traffic. From Carolina Forest, take SC-544 west and then connect to US-501 north into Conway. The trip from Carolina Forest is typically 20 to 30 minutes.
Parking is free in the lots directly adjacent to the governmental complex on 2nd Avenue. Street parking along the surrounding blocks is also free. You should have no trouble finding a spot during normal business hours. Arrive a few minutes early to clear security at the courthouse entrance and give yourself time to reach the Clerk of Court window before it gets busy.
How to Search Conway Dissolution of Marriage Records
Conway dissolution of marriage records are searchable online and in person. Online tools give you quick access to basic case information without making the trip to the courthouse. In-person visits at 1301 2nd Avenue let you review full case files and get certified copies on the spot. Both options are available to the public.
The South Carolina FCCMS public portal covers all of Horry County. Search by the full name of either spouse or by case number. The portal shows case status, filing dates, and party names at no charge. For full document access, contact the Horry County Clerk of Court at (843) 915-5081 or visit the Conway courthouse in person during business hours.
To search Conway dissolution of marriage records, you will need at least one of the following:
- Full name of at least one spouse
- Approximate year the case was filed
- Case number if you have it
- Valid photo ID for in-person requests
The Horry County Clerk of Court resources are also available at horrycounty.org/Departments/Clerk-of-Court. Staff at the Conway courthouse can search by name or case number and make copies directly from the file. Call ahead to (843) 915-5081 if you have questions about what to bring or need to confirm a specific case is on file.
Conway Courthouse Payment Methods and Copy Fees
The Horry County Clerk of Court in Conway accepts several payment types. Cash, money orders, certified checks, and major credit cards are all accepted at the window. If you pay cash, exact change is appreciated. The office may not always be able to make change, especially for large bills. Bring the right amount or use a credit card to avoid delays.
Certified copies of dissolution of marriage decrees typically run between $50 and $100 at the Horry County courthouse, though fees vary based on the record and the number of pages. Plain document copies cost less. Call the Clerk of Court at (843) 915-5081 before you visit to confirm the current copy fee for your specific request. This saves time at the window and makes sure you bring the right amount.
Having a certified copy of your Conway dissolution of marriage decree is important for several situations. If you plan to remarry, you will need to show it. If property was part of your case, the decree is needed to document the settlement. If you want to revert to a prior name, the decree is required to update your passport and other government-issued identification. The downtown Conway location is convenient because both the family court and the vital statistics office are in the same governmental complex.
Note: Major credit cards are accepted, but confirm current card processing fees with the clerk before your visit, as these may apply on top of the copy cost.
Dissolution of Marriage Filing in Conway
Conway residents follow South Carolina state law when filing for dissolution of marriage. The filing process starts at the Horry County Family Court at 1301 2nd Avenue. You submit the complaint, pay the $150 filing fee, and begin the process of serving your spouse. Every document filed becomes part of the permanent public case record.
The residency requirement under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-30 requires at least one spouse to have lived in South Carolina for one year before filing. If both spouses are South Carolina residents, that drops to three months. Conway residents who meet this standard can file right at the courthouse on 2nd Avenue.
South Carolina law under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-10 provides one no-fault ground for dissolution of marriage: living separate and apart for one continuous year. Fault grounds include adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness or drug use, and desertion for one year. At least one of these must apply before the Conway court can grant a dissolution of marriage.
After filing, you serve your spouse using the Horry County Sheriff, a licensed process server, or another lawful method. Proof of service is filed with the Conway Clerk of Court. Once the case is resolved and all terms are agreed upon or ruled on by a judge, the court issues a final decree. That decree dissolves the marriage and becomes a public record under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. Marital property is divided through equitable distribution under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-620.
State Resources for Conway Dissolution of Marriage
The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides free self-represented litigant packets at sccourts.org. These packets include every form needed to file a simple dissolution of marriage case in Conway without hiring an attorney. All forms are free to download, print, and bring to the Horry County courthouse. The packets cover the complaint, response, and all required supporting documents.
South Carolina Legal Services at sclegal.org provides free legal help to Conway residents who qualify based on income. The SC Bar lawyer referral line at (803) 799-6653 can connect you with a family law attorney if you need one. For general guidance on South Carolina dissolution of marriage law, Women's Law and Cordell and Cordell both offer plain-language resources that cover the full process from filing through final decree.
Divorce certificates for South Carolina are issued by the SC Department of Public Health. A certificate is a short summary document confirming the dissolution of marriage. It is not the same as the full decree from the Horry County court. Mail your request to the Division of Vital Records, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. The fee is $12 per copy. Certificates are available for divorces from 1962 forward.
Horry County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Conway is the Horry County seat, and the Horry County Family Court at 1301 2nd Avenue handles all dissolution of marriage cases for the county. For the full county court overview, complete fee list, and all Horry County resources, visit the county records page.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Residents of nearby Horry County communities also file dissolution of marriage cases at the Conway courthouse. Select a city below for more information about dissolution of marriage records in that area.