Dissolution Of Marriage Records in Horry County
Horry County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Clerk of Court at the Horry County Family Court in Conway. Horry County is one of the most populous counties in South Carolina, with around 365,000 residents. All divorce cases for county residents are filed in Conway. You can search Horry County dissolution of marriage records online through the public court portal or visit the courthouse in person during regular business hours.
Horry County Quick Facts
Horry County Family Court Location and Contact
Horry County holds court proceedings at three separate locations. Most dissolution of marriage cases are handled at the Horry County Judicial Complex and Horry Family Court in Conway. The Clerk of Court manages all family court records, jury schedules, dockets, child support payment processing, and orders of protection. The Clerk of Court is an elected position in South Carolina with a four-year term.
The Horry County public docket at horrycountysc.org provides access to public court data including dissolution of marriage cases. Use this portal to search by party name, case number, or filing date for Horry County dissolution of marriage cases.
| Horry Family Court |
1301 2nd Avenue Conway, SC 29526 Phone: (843) 915-5081 |
|---|---|
| Clerk of Court - Family Division | Phone: (843) 915-5360 |
| Horry County Judicial Complex |
1301 2nd Avenue Conway, SC 29526 Phone: (843) 915-5080 |
| Horry County Courthouse |
1201 3rd Ave Conway, SC 29526 |
| Centralized Magistrate Bond Court |
J. Reuben Long Detention Center 4150 J. Reuben Long Avenue Conway, SC 29526-1071 Phone: (843) 915-5145 |
| Office Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | horrycounty.org/Departments/Clerk-of-Court |
Horry County Dissolution Of Marriage Online Search
Horry County offers several ways to search for dissolution of marriage records online. The public docket search at horrycountysc.org is free and shows basic case information and docket entries. You do not need an account to use this tool. It is updated daily with new filings and case actions from the Horry County Family Court.
The Horry County Clerk of Court page at horrycounty.org provides guidance on how to navigate court records, what information you need to search, and how to request copies of dissolution of marriage documents. It walks through the search process and explains what documents are available online versus those that require a formal in-person or mail request.
The FCCMS Public Portal run by the South Carolina Department of Social Services also covers Horry County dissolution of marriage cases. You can search by party name, case type, filing date, or role in the case. Results show case numbers, party names, and docket entries. Document images may require payment or an in-person visit. For non-certified copies, the Horry County Records Page at horrycounty.org charges $0.50 per page for downloads. Certified copies cost $1 per page plus a certification fee of $5 to $10, available in person or by mail at the Horry County Clerk of Court Family Division.
How to Search Horry County Divorce Case Records
To find a Horry County dissolution of marriage record, gather the following before you begin your search: the full name or last name of one or both parties, the case type (dissolution of marriage or divorce), the filing or hearing date range if known, and the role of the person in the case such as plaintiff or defendant. Having this information ready makes the search faster whether you use the online portal or visit the courthouse in Conway.
Follow these steps to search Horry County dissolution of marriage records online. Go to the official court portal or records page. Enter your search criteria in the available fields. Use the filters to narrow by case type, status, or date range. Review the results, which show case numbers, party names, and docket entries. Note which documents are available online and which require a formal request from the Horry County Clerk of Court.
For in-person searches, visit the Horry County Judicial Complex at 1301 2nd Avenue in Conway during business hours. Public terminals are available for case file review at no charge. Arrive early to allow time for security screening. Bring any documents in an organized folder. Bring a photo ID as well.
The Horry County government court page at horrycountysc.org links directly to the public docket search and explains how to submit records requests.
The county court department page lists resources for both online searches and in-person visits to the Horry County Family Court.
Filing a Dissolution Of Marriage in Horry County
Filing a dissolution of marriage in Horry County requires completing the right forms and submitting them to the Clerk of Court at the Family Division. The Divorce Packet is the primary set of forms used to start a dissolution of marriage case. You must also complete the Family Court Cover Sheet, known as Form 4. This form summarizes the filing and is required for all family court submissions in Horry County.
Gather supporting documents before you file. These may include children's birth certificates, financial statements, and any prior court orders that relate to the marriage or household. Submit the completed forms to the Clerk of Court in person at 1301 2nd Avenue in Conway or by mail. Pay the $150 filing fee at the time of submission. The Clerk of Court assigns a case number and the Horry County Family Court schedules hearings as needed. Attend all hearings and follow the court's orders once the judge issues a ruling.
Other commonly used forms in Horry County dissolution of marriage cases include the Visitation Packet, the Child Support Modification Packet, Name Change Forms, and Motion and Order Forms for temporary orders. All of these are available through the Horry County Clerk of Court office or the South Carolina Judicial Branch.
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-30, at least one spouse must have lived in South Carolina for one year before filing, or three months if both spouses reside in South Carolina at the time. Horry County residents file at the Conway courthouse. Under § 20-3-10, no-fault dissolution of marriage requires one year of continuous separation. Fault grounds include adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness, and desertion for one year.
The Horry County Clerk of Court page at horrycounty.org lists available forms and provides contact information for the Family Division.
The Clerk of Court page is the best starting point for getting the right forms and understanding current Horry County filing requirements.
What Horry County Dissolution Of Marriage Records Include
A Horry County dissolution of marriage case file contains the complaint filed by the plaintiff, the answer from the defendant if any, all motions and orders, any marital settlement agreement, and the final decree. The decree is the court order that officially ends the marriage. It may include terms on property division under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-620, alimony, child custody, and support. All documents in the case file are part of the public record in Horry County.
Horry County dissolution of marriage records are public under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30. Any person can request access. You do not have to be a party to the case. Some records may be partially sealed or redacted by court order, particularly those involving minor children. Full online access is not always available for every document, and some require a formal request or in-person review at the Horry County Family Court.
Note: Bring an organized folder with relevant case details when visiting the Horry County Judicial Complex; some records may take additional time to locate if not recently filed.
Horry County Court Accessibility and Child Support
The Horry County Judicial Complex is accessible to all visitors. The building has wheelchair ramps at all main entrances, elevators connecting all floors, and accessible restrooms on each level. If you need any other accommodations when visiting the Horry County Family Court, call the Clerk of Court in advance at (843) 915-5081.
The Clerk of Court in Horry County also collects and disburses child support payments as part of its duties. For child support questions related to a Horry County dissolution of marriage case, contact the South Carolina Department of Social Services Child Support Division at 1-800-768-5858 or visit dss.sc.gov/child-support/. Payments in Horry County child support cases are sent through the State Disbursement Unit at PO Box 100302, Columbia, SC 29202.
Legal Help for Horry County Dissolution Of Marriage
Several resources help Horry County residents handle dissolution of marriage cases. South Carolina Legal Services offers free legal help to people who qualify based on income. Visit sclegal.org to apply and find out if your Horry County case qualifies. The South Carolina Bar lawyer referral service at (803) 799-6653 connects residents with family law attorneys who handle dissolution of marriage cases in Horry County.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch at sccourts.org provides court forms, instructions, and self-represented litigant packets for dissolution of marriage cases. Download the SRL Simple Divorce Packet if you plan to file your Horry County dissolution of marriage case without an attorney. Women's Law at womenslaw.org/laws/sc/divorce offers a plain-language guide to South Carolina divorce law that applies to all Horry County cases.
For Horry County dissolution of marriage cases involving complex property, businesses, or disputes over children, working with a licensed South Carolina family law attorney is strongly recommended.
Horry County Dissolution Of Marriage Certificates
If you need a short-form certificate confirming an Horry County dissolution of marriage, contact the South Carolina Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records. The fee is $12 per certified copy. Records are available for divorces from July 1962 through December 2023. Mail requests to 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. For online ordering information, visit dph.sc.gov.
The DPH certificate shows the names, date, and county of the dissolution of marriage. It does not include property settlements, custody terms, or any other details from the Horry County case file. For those details, contact the Horry County Clerk of Court Family Division at (843) 915-5360.
Cities in Horry County
Horry County is home to several major cities and communities. All dissolution of marriage cases for Horry County residents are filed at the Horry County Family Court in Conway, regardless of which city you live in.
Myrtle Beach is the largest city in Horry County. Conway is the county seat and home to the Horry County Family Court where all dissolution of marriage filings are processed.
Nearby Counties
Horry County is located in the northeastern corner of South Carolina. If you are unsure which county handles your dissolution of marriage case, confirm your county of residence before filing. Cases must be filed in the correct county for the court to have jurisdiction.