Myrtle Beach Birth Records
Myrtle Beach birth records are part of South Carolina's statewide vital records system. Myrtle Beach is located in Horry County along the Grand Strand coast. The Horry County Health Department in Conway handles local vital record services for Myrtle Beach residents. Short form birth cards are available there, while certified long-form birth certificates are issued only by the state Office of Vital Records in Columbia or through VitalChek online. This page covers how to request Myrtle Beach birth records and what research resources are available.
Myrtle Beach Quick Facts
Horry County Health Department Birth Records
The Horry County Health Department is at 2267 Air Base Road, Conway, SC 29526. Conway is the county seat of Horry County and is where Myrtle Beach residents go for local birth record services. This office can issue short form birth cards for any South Carolina birth registered from January 1, 1915 to present. The short form is accepted for many routine purposes.
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 took over vital records duties from the former DHEC on July 1, 2024. The DPH Vital Records page has current forms and ordering information for Myrtle Beach birth records.
The county health department in Conway 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 Myrtle Beach 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.
Genealogy databases covering Horry County birth records for the Myrtle Beach area can be found through regional archives resources that index historical records for this part of the Grand Strand.
Who Can Get Myrtle Beach Birth Records
Access to certified Myrtle Beach 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. Myrtle Beach area birth records from 1924 and earlier are now open to the general public.
Myrtle Beach Birth Records History
Myrtle Beach developed as a resort destination in the early 20th century. The city was incorporated in 1938, though the area had been settled and developed for decades before that. Statewide birth registration in South Carolina began January 1, 1915. For families with roots in the Myrtle Beach area before that date, church records, census data, and family Bibles are the primary sources.
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 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. The FamilySearch South Carolina vital records wiki lists free databases for earlier Horry County research.
Nearby Cities
Myrtle Beach is the largest city on the Grand Strand in Horry County. Nearby cities include Conway, Socastee, and Carolina Forest. Use the links below for birth record resources in nearby cities.