Horry County Birth Records and Vital Certificates
Horry County birth records are managed through the South Carolina Department of Public Health, with statewide registration dating back to January 1, 1915. The Horry County Health Department at 800 4th Avenue, Conway, SC 29526 can issue short form birth certificates for any South Carolina birth from 1915 to the present. Horry County also has a collection of delayed birth certificates at the Clerk of Court covering pre-1915 births, which makes it a strong county for early genealogy research in the Grand Strand and Waccamaw regions.
Horry County Quick Facts
Getting Horry County Birth Records at the Health Department
The Horry County Health Department in Conway is the fastest in-person option for residents who need a birth certificate. The office is located at 800 4th Avenue, Conway, SC 29526. It can issue short form birth certificates for any South Carolina birth from 1915 through the present, regardless of whether the birth occurred in Horry County specifically.
To make a request, bring a valid government-issued photo ID and plan to pay the $12 non-refundable search fee. If the record is found, one certified copy is included in that fee. Additional copies are $3 each and must be requested at the same time. Payment is accepted only by money order or cashier's check made payable to "SCDHEC - Vital Records." Downloading the D-2595 application form ahead of your visit will speed up the process.
If you have questions before visiting, call the state DPH at (803) 898-3630. The main DPH office is at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201.
Horry County Delayed Birth Certificates Before 1915
The Horry County Clerk of Court holds three volumes of delayed birth certificates covering births that occurred before 1915. These volumes were filed between 1939 and 1960, and they represent one of the better pre-1915 birth record collections in South Carolina. Delayed certificates were created when individuals needed proof of birth but had no formal document on file.
To create a delayed certificate, the applicant had to present secondary evidence of birth. This could include early school records, census entries from the 1900 or 1910 federal census, sworn statements from family members or community witnesses, or other official documents showing the person's age and birthplace. The resulting certificate was then registered with the county court.
Researchers looking for Horry County birth records from before 1915 should contact the Clerk of Court in Conway. The SCDAH at 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223 (phone 803-896-6196) also holds state-level resources and can be searched at archivesindex.sc.gov.
Note: Delayed certificates filed at the Clerk of Court are distinct from the state DPH system and require a separate request process.
Horry County Birth Records Online
Online ordering for Horry County birth records and all other South Carolina vital records is handled through VitalChek. The image below shows the VitalChek ordering page for South Carolina certificates.
The fee through VitalChek is $17 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy. You pay by credit card and choose standard or express shipping. Orders are processed by the state DPH and mailed out after completion. Processing times depend on current volume at the state office.
The DPH birth certificates page provides additional guidance on ordering options, acceptable documents, and what to expect once your request is submitted.
Horry County Birth Records for Genealogy Research
Horry County spans the Grand Strand region along the Atlantic coast and the Waccamaw Neck inland. It is one of the fastest-growing counties in South Carolina, but its historical roots go back several centuries. Family researchers tracing Horry County lines often deal with records from before the county's current boundaries were established.
The Horry County Library maintains a genealogy collection that serves as a local resource for researchers. The image below links to their genealogy resource page, which includes local history materials relevant to Horry County birth records research.
FamilySearch provides a free guide to South Carolina vital records at their South Carolina Vital Records wiki. This guide explains what record types exist, how to access them, and what supplemental sources are available for gaps in the official record system. It is a useful starting point for anyone researching Horry County family history.
Who Can Access Horry County Birth Records
South Carolina law restricts who can obtain certified birth certificates. Under SC Code § 44-63-80, eligible requestors are the person named on the record, a parent listed on the certificate, a legal guardian, or a properly authorized representative. Those outside these categories must present a court order to access a restricted birth record.
The 100-year public access rule under § 44-63-80(D) removes the restriction for birth records that are at least 100 years old. Horry County birth records from 1915 through 1925 are now open to anyone under this rule. This is especially helpful for genealogists who do not have a direct family connection to the person on the record but want to research the history of a Horry County family.
When requesting on behalf of someone else, bring a signed authorization letter from the eligible party. Your own photo ID is also required. The office confirms eligibility before releasing any document.
Horry County Assessor and Supporting Records
Birth records are often most useful when combined with other public records. Property records, tax records, and land transfers can help place a person in Horry County at a specific time and confirm family relationships. The image below links to the Horry County Assessor's office, which manages property records in the county.
Assessor records are public and can show when a family first acquired property in Horry County, which helps narrow down research timelines. These records work well alongside birth certificates when building a complete family picture. Horry County also borders Brunswick County in North Carolina, which may be relevant for families who lived near the state line.
Amended Birth Records in Horry County
Horry County birth records can be amended to fix errors or update information. Common changes include correcting misspellings, updating parent details, and reflecting legal name changes. Adoption-related changes are also handled through the state DPH amendment process. SC Code § 44-63-140 covers amendments and adoption-related record changes.
The SC Justice amendment guide provides a detailed explanation of the amendment process and what documents are needed. All amendment requests go to the DPH office in Columbia for review. Processing times vary based on the complexity of the change and the completeness of supporting documents.
The full statute governing South Carolina birth records, including Horry County records, is at scstatehouse.gov.
Note: After an amendment is approved, the certificate will reflect the updated data, and the original information is kept in a sealed record at the state office.
Cities in Horry County
Horry County is home to several well-known cities and communities, particularly along the Grand Strand coastline. Birth records for residents of any of these cities can be requested through the Horry County Health Department in Conway or through the state DPH.
Other communities in Horry County include Loris, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, and Surfside Beach. All of these areas fall within the same county health department jurisdiction for birth record requests.
Nearby Counties
Horry County shares borders with South Carolina counties to the south and west, and it also borders North Carolina to the north. Birth records for families near these lines may exist in more than one jurisdiction.