Conway Divorce Records and Court Filings
Conway is the county seat of Horry County, which means the Family Court responsible for all divorce cases is located right in Conway itself. Residents searching for Conway divorce records, requesting certified copies of decrees, or checking the status of a pending case can access the Horry County Family Court without traveling far. This guide explains where Conway divorce records are held, how to search the public index, how to request copies, and what legal requirements apply to residents of Conway and Horry County.
Conway Quick Facts
Where Conway Divorce Records Are Located
Conway is the county seat of Horry County, which means the courthouse is in town. The Horry County Family Court is located at 1301 2nd Avenue, Conway, SC 29526, and can be reached at (843) 915-5080. Every divorce case filed by a Conway or Horry County resident is handled through this court. The Horry County Clerk of Court maintains the official case files, final decrees, and related documents. Their office information is available at horrycounty.org.
Conway residents have a distinct advantage compared to residents of cities like Myrtle Beach or North Myrtle Beach. Because the Family Court sits in Conway itself, filing a case, attending hearings, or picking up copies of records does not require a long drive. The 15th Judicial Circuit, which covers Horry and Georgetown counties, operates through this court.
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-10, South Carolina Family Courts have exclusive jurisdiction over divorce proceedings. No city court, municipal court, or magistrate court in Conway or elsewhere has the authority to grant a divorce. All filings, hearings, and final orders go through the Horry County Family Court.
Note: The Horry County Family Court handles more than just divorce. Child custody, support, and adoption cases all run through the same court, so the clerk's office manages a high volume of records across multiple family law case types.
Searching the Public Index for Conway Cases
The South Carolina Courts public index at sccourts.org is the primary online tool for looking up Conway divorce cases. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. The index shows basic case details including the filing date, the parties involved, the case type, and the current disposition. Full documents are not available through the index, but it confirms whether a case exists and provides the case number needed for further record requests.
When searching, use the name exactly as it appeared on the original filing. If results do not show up, try variations in spelling or contact the Horry County Clerk of Court directly at (843) 915-5080. Older cases, especially those filed before the court system's records were digitized, may require an in-person search at the clerk's office.
As of January 1, 2026, home addresses are no longer shown in the public index statewide. This change affects all South Carolina counties, including Horry. Case information still includes party names, filing dates, and case status, but residential addresses have been removed to protect personal privacy.
Certified Copies of Conway Divorce Decrees
A certified copy of a divorce decree is the official legal document proving the marriage ended. It carries the court's seal and an authorized signature. Banks, federal agencies, passport offices, and other institutions typically require a certified copy rather than a plain photocopy. For Conway divorces, certified copies come from the Horry County Family Court Clerk at 1301 2nd Avenue. You can request copies in person or by mail, and the clerk's office will advise on the current fee and processing time.
For divorces finalized between July 1962 and December 2023, the South Carolina Department of Public Health also holds divorce reports. A DPH report costs $12 and can be ordered through dph.sc.gov or through VitalChek. DPH divorce reports confirm that a divorce took place, but they are a summary record. If you need the actual decree with its full legal text, the court is the correct source.
The standard final divorce document in South Carolina is form SCCA299, the Final Order of Divorce. Requesting a certified copy of this specific form from the Horry County clerk's file is typically the most direct route to confirming a divorce. Copies finalized after December 2023 are only available from the court, not from DPH.
The City of Conway and Its Role in Divorce Records
The City of Conway operates municipal services across a range of departments but plays no role in divorce records or family court matters. The city website is a useful resource for information about local government, utilities, and city services, but all divorce records are held at the county level by the Horry County Family Court.
The City of Conway maintains its public-facing website with department and service information for residents.
The city website provides resources for Conway residents but does not maintain court records. Divorce record requests should be directed to the Horry County Family Court at 1301 2nd Avenue.
South Carolina's clerks of court handle records across all county courts, and the Horry County Clerk is no exception. The statewide list of clerks is maintained through the South Carolina court system.
The South Carolina Courts website provides contact information for every county clerk, including the Horry County Clerk at the Conway courthouse.
Residency and Venue Rules for Conway Filers
Before filing for divorce in Horry County, a Conway resident must meet South Carolina's residency requirements. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-30, if both spouses live in South Carolina, the filing spouse must have been a state resident for at least three months. If only one spouse lives in South Carolina, the residency period extends to one full year before filing is permitted.
Venue under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-60 determines which county's court handles the case. The standard rule is to file in the county where the defendant spouse resides. If the defendant lives out of state, the plaintiff files in the county where they live. For Conway residents, this almost always means filing at Horry County Family Court. Since the court is in Conway, this is especially convenient for local filers.
Note: If both spouses have already met the three-month requirement and one of them moves to a different county before filing, it is worth confirming with an attorney which venue applies to avoid a procedural challenge after filing.
Grounds for Divorce in Conway and Horry County
South Carolina law under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-10 recognizes five grounds for divorce. One year of continuous separation is the no-fault option and is by far the most commonly used ground in Conway and throughout the state. The parties live apart for twelve months and then file. No finding of fault is required, which makes the process more predictable for both sides.
The four fault-based grounds are adultery, desertion for one year, physical cruelty, and habitual drunkenness or drug use. Fault grounds are harder to prove and add time and expense to the proceedings. However, they can matter for outcomes. Adultery, for example, can affect whether the guilty party receives alimony. Physical cruelty allegations may also influence temporary orders while the case is pending.
Regardless of ground, South Carolina imposes a statutory waiting period. A case cannot be referred for final consideration until two months after it was filed. The final decree itself cannot be issued before three months from the filing date. Conway residents should plan their timelines with this floor in mind.
Property Division in Conway Divorce Cases
Property division is often the most contested part of a divorce. South Carolina applies an equitable distribution standard under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-620. Equitable does not mean equal. The Horry County Family Court considers a range of factors to divide marital assets fairly, including the duration of the marriage, each spouse's economic circumstances, contributions to the marital estate, and the value of each party's nonmarital property.
Marital property includes most assets acquired during the marriage, whether real estate, retirement accounts, vehicles, or personal property. Separate property, meaning assets owned before marriage or received as gifts or inheritance during the marriage, is generally excluded from division. The property settlement becomes part of the final order, which is part of the case record at the Horry County Family Court.
Public Records Access for Conway Divorce Files
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act at S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10 establishes the public's right to access government records, including court files. Most divorce case records filed in Horry County are available to any member of the public who makes a proper request through the Horry County Clerk of Court. You do not need to be a party to the case to access most file documents.
Some records may be restricted. Cases involving minor children may have financial affidavits or parenting plan documents that are sealed or access-limited. Protective orders in domestic violence cases can also restrict what is publicly available. If you encounter a restriction, you can file a motion with the court explaining your need for access. A judge will then decide whether the records should be released.
If you need legal help navigating the records process or the divorce process itself, SC Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to income-qualifying residents in Horry County. The SC Bar Lawyer Referral Service at (803) 799-6653 connects individuals with private family law attorneys in the area.
Conway County Divorce Records
Conway is the county seat of Horry County, so all divorce records for Conway residents are part of the Horry County Family Court system located right in the city. The Horry County Clerk of Court at 1301 2nd Avenue in Conway handles all record requests, certified copies, and public index access. For a full overview of Horry County's divorce records system, filing procedures, and court contact details, visit the county page below.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Conway is located in the Grand Strand region of South Carolina, close to several coastal and inland cities in Horry County. The links below cover divorce record information for nearby communities.