Conway Birth Records
Conway birth records are part of South Carolina's statewide vital records system. Conway is the county seat of Horry County, located inland from the Grand Strand coast. The Horry County Health Department is based in Conway and provides local access to short form birth cards for Horry County residents. The Coastal Carolina University library in Conway also maintains genealogy resources relevant to the region. Certified birth certificates are available from the state Office of Vital Records in Columbia or through VitalChek online. This page covers how to request Conway birth records.
Conway Quick Facts
Horry County Health Department Birth Records
The Horry County Health Department is at 2267 Air Base Road, Conway, SC 29526. As the county seat, Conway is the location of the Horry County Health Department, which serves as a branch of the state vital records system. This office can issue short form birth cards for any South Carolina birth registered from January 1, 1915 to present.
Long-form certified birth certificates are only available from the South Carolina Department of Public Health Office of Vital Records at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. The state office phone is (803) 898-3630. The DPH assumed vital records duties from the former DHEC on July 1, 2024. The DPH Vital Records page has current forms and ordering information for Conway birth records.
The county health department can also issue death certificates for deaths that occurred in Horry County within the last five years. For older records or records from other counties, contact the state office.
How to Request Conway Birth Certificates
The search fee is $12.00, non-refundable under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-110. This covers a search and one certified copy if the record is found. Additional copies at the same time are $3.00 each. Payments must be by money order or cashier's check payable to "SCDHEC - Vital Records."
To order by mail, complete Form D-2595 from the DPH birth certificates page. Include a copy of your photo ID and payment, then mail to 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. For online orders, VitalChek is the authorized vendor. The first copy is $17.00.
The Coastal Carolina University library genealogy collection in Conway maintains public genealogy resources for Horry County birth records and family history research.
Who Can Get Conway Birth Records
Access to certified Conway birth records is restricted under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-80. Eligible individuals include the person named on the certificate if they are 18 or older, a parent listed on the record, a legal guardian, a legal representative, and immediate family members of a deceased person who provide a certified death certificate. The SC Department of Social Services may also access records for child support and paternity purposes.
All applicants must include a copy of a valid photo ID. Under Section 44-63-80(D), birth records become publicly available 100 years after the date of birth. Conway birth records from 1924 and earlier are now open to the general public.
Conway Birth Records History
Conway was established as the seat of Horry County in the early 1800s and is one of the older cities in eastern South Carolina. Statewide birth registration in South Carolina began January 1, 1915. For Conway families with roots before that date, church records, family Bibles, and census data are the primary sources. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History at 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223 holds historical materials relevant to Horry County. The SCDAH online index provides digital access to selected records.
For individuals with no official birth record, S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-180 allows registration of a delayed birth certificate through the state registrar. The Horry County Health Department in Conway can assist. The FamilySearch South Carolina vital records wiki lists free databases for earlier Horry County research. For amendment questions, the SC Justice amendment guide covers the process under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-140.
Nearby Cities
Conway is the county seat of Horry County, located inland from the Grand Strand. Nearby cities include Myrtle Beach, Socastee, and Carolina Forest. Use the links below for birth record resources in nearby cities.