Search Horry County Records for Free (Court, Criminal, Warrants & All Record Types)

Free Horry County Public Records Search
Access Horry County Records: marriage, divorce, warrants, arrests, probation, criminal, court, background checks, and all public records.

Begin your search today by learning how to search free Horry County public records on anyone through official channels and record custodians. Public information abounds, but it can be tricky if you don’t know how to access and obtain these records about yourself or someone you know.

Rest assured that no matter if you’re looking for criminal history information like warrants, arrests, probation, and prisoner records, or vital records about marriage, divorce, birth, or death, you’ll be given the proper tools and knowledge to find each. You’ll also be provided with simple step-by-step instructions for acquiring records regarding property ownership, court documents, and methods of performing background checks on anyone.

This resource will streamline your access to public information and enable you to confidently and efficiently obtain various public records in Horry County.

How To View Horry County Arrest Logs, Mugshots & the Reason for Detainment

Any interested citizen can look up details of Horry County arrests and offenses.

If you’re seeking inmate-related public records like arrest logs and mugshots, you’ll find this information in the Horry County Bookings & Releases Database, which displays individuals incarcerated in the J. Reuben Long Detention Center. This facility is operated by the Horry County Sheriff’s office, and they maintain the booking and release database too.

The database will provide you with an individual’s:

  • Name
  • Mugshot
  • Charge
  • Ethnicity
  • Sex
  • Date of Birth
  • Age
  • Booking Date
  • Release Date or Status
  • Booking Number
  • Arresting Agency

While the initial page on the database only displays current inmates of the J. Reuben Long Detention Center, there is a search option for jail records. You must input a person’s last name, and either their booking or release date for the search to yield results.

A screenshot of a sample search result with inmate details through the Horry County Booking and Release search portal that can be searched by just the last name and booking date or release date, which will show the list of inmates with their mugshots, name, DOC number, arresting agency, and other information.
Source: Horry County, South Carolina1

The J. Reuben Long Detention Center is the only jail in Horry County. If you are arrested and charged with committing a crime in Horry County, including any of the cities or towns like Myrtle Beach, you will be booked into this jail. This means that every police department within Horry County who makes an arrest transports the arrestee to the county jail, as there are no local municipal jails.

The sheriff’s office does provide a disclaimer that they are not responsible for any inaccuracies that may be posted on the database. However, the database is a reliable source to use when searching Horry County arrest records or trying to find someone’s mugshot.

Horry County Sheriff’s Office
1301 Second Avenue
Conway, SC 29526

The sheriff’s office is available to the public 8am – 5pm Monday – Friday. You can also contact the office at 843-915-5450 or [email protected].

Obtain Arrest Reports From Horry County South Carolina Police Departments

There are several local police departments within Horry County, South Carolina.

Generally, local police departments do not provide readily available public access to arrest reports in an online medium. Instead, it is common for people looking to obtain arrest reports from local police departments to physically request the information at the local police station.

The city of Myrtle Beach is the largest city in Horry County, with the Myrtle Beach Police Department (MBPD) serving as the law enforcement body. When searching for arrest reports in Myrtle Beach, the MBPD provides the public with an Online Recent Arrest Log. This log typically displays arrests of the day and one day prior. It shows the public an arrestee’s:

  • Name
  • Mugshot
  • Charge
  • Age
  • Race/Sex
  • Arrest Date
  • Next Court Date
  • Status
  • Bond Amount
  • Docket Number
A screenshot of a sample inmate detail from a search done through the Myrtle Beach Police Department search tool showing the inmate's mugshot, full name, age, race, sex, arrest date, release date, next court date, and charge information.
Source: Myrtle Beach Police Department2

Additionally, in accordance with South Carolina Freedom of Information Law (FOIA), members of the public have open access to public documents like arrest reports. Requests may be made online utilizing the FOIA Request Form. Ensure that the form is as detailed as possible, and be sure to check the arrest report box.

You may also make a written request for a specific record and deliver it to the FOIA coordinator at this address:

MBPD Public Records
1101 N. Oak St.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

If you have difficulty filling out the request or need more information about the process, you may contact 843-918-1535.

The North Myrtle Beach Police Department is the local law enforcement agency in North Myrtle Beach. They do not maintain or operate an online database for viewing arrests, but they do provide the public with a Freedom of Information Act form to submit online.

A screenshot of the online Freedom of Information Act form for North Myrtle Beach, where individuals must enter the date of request, the requester's name, address, city, state, zip code, email, phone number, facsimile, and other information.
Source: North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina3

Always ensure that the information requested is as specific as possible so the records you receive will be accurate to your needs. The City of North Myrtle Beach may collect fees for making copies.

You can also email the Records Division at [email protected], or call 843-280-5516 for more information. The physical address can be found at:

North Myrtle Beach Police Department
1018 2nd Avenue S
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582

The City of Conway’s local police agency is the Conway Police Department. They do not offer the public an online method to access arrest reports. You may call the department at 843-248-1790, or email them at [email protected] for more information. Stopping by the department is typically a surefire way to obtain the information you need.

The address is:

Conway Police Department
1600 Ninth Avenue
Conway, S.C. 29526

The Surfside Beach Police Department provides the public with a specific FOIA Form that must be emailed to [email protected] to be processed. For more information, call the police department at 843-913-6368 or visit:

Surfside Beach Town Hall
210 Highway 17 S
Surfside Beach, SC

Contact other local police departments in Horry County to find out more information on how to access arrest reports:

Law Enforcement Agency Address Phone Number
and Email
Loris Police Department 3909 Walnut St.
Loris, SC 29569
843-756-4000
[email protected]
Atlantic Beach Police Department 717 Atlantic St.
Atlantic Beach, SC 29582
843-663-2274
[email protected]
Aynor Police Department 600 S Main St.
Aynor, SC 29511
843-358-3900
[email protected]
Briarcliffe Acres Police Department 121 North Gate Road
Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
843-997-9500
[email protected]

How To Acquire Someone’s Criminal Record in Horry County South Carolina for Free

If you want to look up someone’s criminal record, it’s important to know that there are several different types of criminal records. Criminal records include warrants, charges, arrest reports, convictions, sex offender registries, probation information, and background check reports.

There are generally different record custodians for each type of criminal record. When searching for arrest, charges, or warrant records, typically the county sheriff’s office or local police department will maintain those records. When searching for convictions, the county clerk of court will be the record custodian.

With these Horry County criminal records, you can learn more about a person’s past as well as their current status. You cannot use this information to discriminate against or harass someone, but you may use it to be informed.

View Criminal Cases & Charges Via the Horry County General Sessions Court

Locate criminal cases and charges in the Horry County General Sessions Court. The Fifteenth Judicial Circuit of South Carolina General Sessions Court is Horry County’s criminal court. The types of cases heard by this court are felonies committed in Horry County and criminal appeals from local town municipal and magistrate courts.

The court offers a convenient Horry County Public Records Search that allows users to find court case information on anyone. This free public information search also includes criminal cases.

To effectively use the index search, you must select the correct court type and court agency. The court type is Circuit Court, and the court agency is General Sessions. You must also include the person’s last name.

If the person has a common name, the search may yield too many records beyond the maximum number allowed by the database. In such a case, not all of the possible records will not be returned. To avoid this issue, narrow the search criteria by including additional information like middle names, date types, dates, and action types.

When the search returns results, click on the case number link to access the record. The record will display all pertinent information about the case including:

  • Name of Case
  • Case Number, Type & Status
  • Indictment Number
  • Parties & Addresses
  • Defendant’s Name, Race, Sex & DOB
  • Dates (Arrest, charge Received, Filing & Disposition)

If you are searching for misdemeanor criminal cases and charges, select Summary Court under court type. Summary Courts or municipal and magistrate courts are the lower level state courts that hear misdemeanor cases, traffic violation cases, and city ordinance violation cases.

After selecting Summary Court, be sure to select the appropriate court agency that corresponds with the case. This means that you must choose which local city or town municipal or magistrate court has or had the case.

How To Conduct an Arrest Warrant Lookup in Horry County South Carolina

Warrants are essentially criminal charges, so if you’re looking for arrest warrants in Horry County, you should also check for outstanding criminal charges.

The Horry County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Division is the agency that can give insight on outstanding warrants. To inquire, call 843-915-8347. If you wish to remain anonymous, call the tip line at 843-915-5688.

The Warrant Division works with federal agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), the U.S. Marshals Service, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).

To search for current and past criminal charges, use the Horry County Public Index. This search function will allow you to see what crimes someone is currently charged with and any prior criminal charges originating in Horry County.

Be sure to select “Circuit Court” in the court type drop down menu and select “General Sessions” in the court agency drop down menu. This will show you an individual’s criminal felonies–both past and present. Select “Summary Court” in the court agency drop down menu to see an individual’s criminal misdemeanors.

The Horry County Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement agencies do not offer an online method to check arrest warrants, aside from the Myrtle Beach Police Department offering a Wanted List that displays the name, charge, and warrant type of all current outstanding warrants that have not yet been served. This means the individuals on this list have not yet been arrested.

A screenshot of the Wanted List in Myrtle Beach City provided by their police department, showing the list of wanted peoples' names, charges, and paper type.
Source: Myrtle Beach Police Department4

For all other jurisdictions, the relevant law enforcement agency should be called or visited for further warrant inquiries.

How To Carry Out a Probation Search in Horry County SC

In South Carolina, only individuals who have been convicted of a criminal felony are eligible to enter probation. Individuals facing misdemeanor charges and convictions are eligible for other diversion services.

Because the convictions must be for felonies to enter probation, only the State of South Carolina and one of its departments are the operator and record custodian for probation services. Local towns and counties do not operate or maintain independent probation services.

The South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole & Pardon Services controls the probation services within the state. Their free Probation Offender Search allows users to search for probationers within a respective county in South Carolina.

A screenshot of the Name Database Search and Fee Payment tool offered by the SC Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services that is searchable by entering the following information: first name, last name, state ID number, county, and year of birth.
Source: SC Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services5

To perform a probation search in Horry County, you must know an individual’s first and last name, then select “Horry” from the county drop down menu. You don’t need to know a person’s year of birth, but including that information will narrow your search and improve the accuracy.

Anyone can use this free tool to find out if someone is on probation. If the person is no longer on probation, they may not be listed.

For more information on Horry County probation, contact the county office location at 843-915-4900. You can also visit the office and mail communications to the addresses below.

Physical Address:

Horry County Probation Office
1201 Third Avenue Room 146
Conway, SC 29528

Mailing Address:

Horry County Probation Office
P.O. BOX 1736
Conway, SC 29528

How To Run a Background Check in Horry County

Anyone can conduct a personal background check to learn more about a friend, family member, neighbor, or dating interest for any reason that is not illegal. People can also learn more information about you, so you should always use personal background information in a responsible manner.

Personal background checks can be performed by simply tracking down the various public records described throughout this resource from city, county, state, and federal custodians.

Although anyone can get a personal background check done on someone else, the rule of law still applies with how you use that information. You cannot intimidate, harass, or take matters into your own hands when you discover information about someone through a background check.

A background check will yield results of a person’s public records from federal, state and local government agencies.

If you want to find Horry County public records through a formal background check, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) provides the public with Citizens Access to Criminal Histories (CATCH).

This method allows users to view and print an individual’s criminal records information from South Carolina agencies only.

There is a non-refundable $25.00 fee charged by SLED for the criminal records check. If you elect to use the online method, an additional $1.00 service fee is required. The mail-in Criminal Records Check Form does not require a service fee and must be self-addressed and mailed to:

SLED Records Department
P.O. BOX 21398
Columbia, SC 29211

The SLED CATCH search method is a name-based search only. This means that it is possible for the search to yield false positive or negative results for people who have the same name. Moreover, the search is for criminal records only, and will not check for persons required to register as sex offenders.

For charitable organizations, the state sets the cost of criminal records searches at $8.00, pursuant to state law. This is also true for school districts searching criminal records of prospective school teachers and bus drivers. You must click the “Eligible” button at the bottom of the page and enter the charitable organization or local school district verification account information.

Most requesters do not fall into this category and should click “Not Eligible”.

A screenshot of the CATCH portal, South Carolina Record Check subject webpage that is searchable by providing the last name, first name, DOB, maiden name, gender, and SSN
Source: SLED Citizens Access to Criminal Histories (CATCH)6

You will be sent to a link that allows you to input an individuals:

  • Last Name
  • First Name
  • Date of Birth
  • Maiden Name (if applicable)
  • Gender
  • Social Security Number

The more accurate information you provide, the more accurate the criminal record search results will be. After clicking the “Submit” button, you will be taken to the payment page where you must pay via debit or credit card. If your search does not yield results, your card will still be charged, so be sure to input the correct information.

Once you complete the payment portion and results are provided, it will be the users’ responsibility to print the results. They will not be saved and SLED will not print them for you.

The other type of background testing is fingerprint-based background checks. This is generally used for licensing, certification, and employment purposes. Background checks for the purpose of employment require your consent, and cannot be used to discriminate against you. Such fingerprint-based checks are typically referred to as “Level 2” while the more generic name-based searches are “Level 1.”

Employers must also provide you with written notice that information found in the background check can be used to decide hiring, firing, or promotion. All employers must comply with the FCRA, EEOC, and FTC. More information about these agencies is included below, in the final section.

In Horry County, South Carolina, all professional background checks are conducted through the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). You can apply for a background check through SLED by visiting the endorsed fingerprinting and enrollment services platform IdentoGO.

To obtain a professional background check through this method, follow these steps:

  • Schedule an appointment
  • Choose fingerprinting location
  • Select calendar date for appointment
  • Complete applicant information form
  • Review, edit, and submit information
  • Select payment method
  • Pay $51.75
  • Bring valid ID (South Carolina Driver’s License or a valid photo ID and supplementary ID)

How To Review South Carolina Criminal Records via State & Federal Agencies

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) agency provides the most reliable method of checking criminal records originating from South Carolina.

The SLED CATCH process is available to anyone, and allows users to view and print criminal records within minutes for a fee. SLED does not offer a free criminal record check.

The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides a Free Case Search for all criminal cases in South Carolina Courts. Users can view past and present criminal cases at no cost.7

The South Carolina Department of Corrections provides an Incarcerated Inmate Search where users can view names, mugshots, charges, and other information for all people incarcerated in any South Carolina prison.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons will show viewers the names and locations of inmates located in federal prisons.8 The search will yield results as long as you list a person’s first and last name or their assigned Bureau of Prisons (BOP) number. To narrow results, include the inmate’s race, sex, and age if that information is known.

If you need further help finding someone in federal prison, you may contact the federal prison directly for more information.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division also provides a free Sex Offender Registry Search. Anyone can use this search to find South Carolina public records regarding convicted and registered sex offenders with up to a 3 mile radius of a specific address or zip code.

To use the search, simply type in a local address within the county, include the city, and the search will yield results of sex offenders within the area. You can also select the “in my zip code” search type that only requires a zip code for the search function to yield results.

The Horry County Sheriff’s Office also provides information on registered sex offenders in the county. There is a public service Sex Offender Registry Search Tool. You will be able to input any address and it will show you a list of all registered sex offenders in Horry County within a one-mile radius of that address.

A screenshot of the Sex Offender Registry of Horry County that can be searched by name, area, city, phone number, or other information.
Source: Horry County Sheriff’s Office9

The U.S. Department of Justice provides a National Sex Offender Registry Search. You can use this search to locate a registered sex offender by name, or you can use the search by location function, all for free.

The search by name function requires you to accurately input an offender’s first and last name. The search by location requires an address and city location; all registered sex offenders within a 3 mile radius will be listed in the results.

These sex offender search tools are solely for the purpose of increasing community safety and awareness. Never use this tool as a means to conduct illegal activity or action against any individual.

How To Look Up Horry County Court Records

In South Carolina, the Judicial Department makes court records readily available to members of the public. Horry County judicial records can easily be found using the South Carolina Index for Horry County. This Horry County case search allows anyone to check countywide public records that pertain to past or ongoing court cases.

Horry County’s Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court is the county court. This court hears all state level criminal felony charges and indictments, and all state level misdemeanor appeals originating from a local Horry County city or town Summary Court. It also hears all state level civil cases or lawsuits.

When using the free public records search of court documents, be sure to select “Circuit Court” under the court type drop down menu, and select “General Sessions” for criminal court records or “Common Pleas” for civil court records.

You can also visit the county’s Circuit Court Clerk to make a request for Horry County court records at:

Horry County Circuit Court
Clerk of Court
1302 2nd Avenue
Conway, SC 29526

A fee is generally associated with processing physical copies of court records. You can call 843-915-6082 to get more information.

The Horry County Circuit Court also houses the Family Court. If you are looking for court records pertaining to divorce, annulment, separation, child support, custody, paternity, a name change, or other family related court documents, these public records are all maintained by the Horry County Family Court.

The South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) provides the public with a free Family Court Case Search. You only need to know a person’s first and last name for the search to yield results. There are thousands of family court cases and records, so you should narrow your search by providing more information like the case type to easily locate the appropriate case.

A screenshot of the Family Court Public Access portal of the South Carolina Department of Social Services, which is searchable by providing the last name/organization, first name, middle name, role, county, case type, case category, case filing start date, and case filing end date.
Source: South Carolina Department of Social Services10

The Horry County Probate Court is found at the same location and has jurisdiction over all estate planning cases, wills, trusts, and involuntary commitments.11

For information on case records, you should call 843-915-5370. If you want to visit the court office, the hours of operation are 8am – 5pm Monday – Friday.

When Horry County Circuit Court cases are appealed, the appeal is generally heard by the South Carolina Court of Appeals. When an appeal is made to a South Carolina Court of Appeals ruling, the next appeal is made to the state’s Supreme Court. The rulings are called opinions, and opinions can be found in the South Carolina Judicial Branch’s Opinion Search Database.

You can search an opinion by case number, by the court that issued the opinion, or by the trial judge who heard the initial circuit court case. For more information about how to obtain appellate court records, use the contact information below:

South Carolina Court of Appeals
Calhoun Building
1220 Senate Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Phone: 803-734-1890

South Carolina Supreme Court
Supreme Court
1231 Gervais Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Phone: 803-734-1080

There are several Horry County Summary Courts that have jurisdiction over misdemeanor charges, small lawsuit claims, city ordinance violations, and traffic offenses. When searching for Summary Court level court records, contact the appropriate Summary Court.

Federal court records in South Carolina are maintained by the United States South Carolina District Court. There are 4 branches in South Carolina: Charleston, Columbia, Florence, and Greenville.

To locate federal court records, you can use the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system by registering to the platform. There are fees associated with the platform, including $0.10 per page.

When federal court cases are appealed in South Carolina, they are elevated to the United States Court of Appeals’ Fourth Circuit. Opinions from this court can be found using PACER or text search. When these cases are appealed, they are sent to the United States Supreme Court.

Opinions from the U.S. Supreme Court can be viewed for free.12

How To Retrieve Horry County Vital Records: Marriages, Divorces, Births & Deaths

Vital records are official government records pertaining to a citizen’s birth, death, marriage, and divorce. It’s not uncommon for both the county and state to host these records. In South Carolina, vital records are maintained by the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control (SCDHEC).

Vital records can help you check if someone is married or divorced, and allow you to obtain copies of those records. You can also find a certificate of birth or death of family members and people you know. This is particularly helpful when researching heritage or genealogy.

Acquire Horry County Marriage & Divorce Records or Certificates

Horry County does not offer a free public records repository. However, you can request a certified marriage certificate from the Horry County Probate Court. Complete the form and mail payment of $5 per copy to:

Horry County Probate Court
ATTN: Marriage License Division
P.O. BOX 288
Conway, SC 29528

You can find Horry County divorce case records online. To locate these records, select Judgement under the case type, and Divorce under the case subtype.

You must also provide the subject’s last name. If you know more information, like the date, provide it in the search function so the results will be narrowed and more accurate.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) allows individuals to obtain Horry County marriage records and divorce records for a fee. They provide the public with various methods for obtaining marriage certificates.13

If you want to find out if someone is married or divorced, know that obtaining a marriage certificate or divorce report is limited to certain personnel:

  • One of the Parties
  • One of the Party’s Adult Children
  • A Current or Former Spouse
  • One of the Married Party’s Legal Representative
  • Non-party Applicants

SCDHEC has endorsed the online platform VitalChek to obtain marriage and divorce records. For marriage certificates, there is an associated $17 non-refundable searching fee and an additional $12.85 charge for VitalChek services. The processing time for results is 5-7 business days on average.

To request marriage or divorce records in person, you may also complete a marriage certificate and divorce report application form. Take the form to the SCDHEC records office along with a $12 non-refundable fee and valid photo ID.

SCDHEC State Vital Records Office, Columbia
2600 Bull St.
Columbia, SC 29201

You can also mail in the application form. Be sure to include a photocopy of a photo ID and fee payment to accompany the application, as the application will be rejected otherwise.

Note: Further guidance on finding dissolution of marriage records can be found via the steps for obtaining Horry County divorce information.

Secure Death & Birth Records in Horry County via the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control

The South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control (SCDHEC) also maintains birth and death records.

Horry County does not provide a process for obtaining records independent of SCDHEC, but there is an SCDHEC branch office located in Horry County which can be reached at 843-915-8802 or the following address:

SCDHEC Horry County
1931 Industrial Park Rd.
Conway, SC 29526

Obtaining a birth certificate is limited to:

  • Person named on certificate if at least 18 years of age
  • Parents of person named on birth certificate
  • Legal guardian person named on birth certificate
  • Legal representative of person named on birth certificate
  • Immediate family members if registrant is deceased

Acquiring a death certificate is also limited to certain personnel:

  • Decedent’s immediate family members
  • Legal representative of an immediate family member
  • Others with proof they have an interest in a personal or property right and that obtaining the certificate of death is necessary

In addition to utilizing the methods of obtaining Horry County marriage and Horry County divorce records outlined in the previous section above, SCDHEC has also endorsed the online directory GO Certificates for death records. For the in-person and mail-in process, fill out the birth certificate application or death certificate application, depending on which record you need.

Marriage, divorce, birth, and death records may also be obtained through third-party platforms. Be aware that the results are not official and may not be accurate.

How To Seek Horry County Free Property Records & Taxes

Property and tax records are generally maintained by county tax assessors and the county register of deeds. The Horry County Assessor’s Office controls the appraisals of real property for property tax purposes, and also maintains property ownership information.

The Horry County Register of Deeds is the county department responsible for the recordation of all documents regarding land transfers. There are fees associated with each land record type.

A screenshot of the Online Records Search tool provided by Horry County and the search tips that could help the searchers find the records they're looking for.
Source: Horry County Register of Deeds14

Horry County offers the public with a free Online Official Land Records Search. This search tool will allow users to look up deeds, mortgages, tax liens, other liens, and plats in Horry County. These records date back to:

  • Deeds – 1801
  • Mortgages – 1996
  • Tax Liens – 2000
  • Other Liens – 2007
  • Plats – 2007

Horry County makes no guarantee that the search tool contains the records you seek. You will increase your chances of obtaining desired results by carefully inputting accurate information into the search.

Horry County also offers the public with a free Land Records Search. This search tool will allow users to type in an address or use the interactive map of Horry County to locate a property. Once a property is located and selected, users can view the property’s owner, building information, tax values, and market values.

A screenshot of the Land Record map viewer search tool for Horry County with its sample search showing the property's image, owner's information, property address, the property's taxable values, the location where it is on the map, and other information.
Source: Horry County, South Carolina15

If you have questions concerning how to look up property records and tax records in Horry County, contact the Horry County Tax Assessor’s Office or the Horry County Register of Deeds using the information below.

Horry County Tax Assessor
1301 Second Avenue Ste. 1C08
Conway, SC 29526

Phone: 843-915-5040
Email: [email protected]

Horry County Register of Deeds
1301 Second Avenue
Conway, SC 29526

Phone: 843-915-5430
Email: [email protected]

Responsibly Using Horry County Public Records & Understanding Your Rights

It is important to understand that you and others have rights and protections concerning public records. Laws have been established to ensure that people are not discriminated against or become victims of fraud.

Personal use of public records must still be done responsibly. Anyone can check various free public records in South Carolina for personal reasons without stating the reason, as long as it’s not for illegal activity. Stalking, harassment, intimidation, and identity theft are absolutely prohibited by Horry County, South Carolina, and federal law.

Acquiring public records for professional use is more restrictive. For example, employers must get prospective employees’ written permission before running a background check from any background reporting company. Know your rights and protections provided by the federal agencies listed below.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): Authoritative federal agency concerning employment laws, making it illegal to discriminate against a prospective employee based on a protected class. Employers cannot use background check information to deny equal employment opportunity to any person.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Works to protect citizens from deceptive and unfair business practices. Employers must tell you they may use your background information to make hiring, firing, and promotion decisions.

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): A federal law in the United States that protects information collected by companies that conduct consumer reporting. The information in a person’s consumer report cannot be provided to any person that does not have a specified purpose within the Act.

If you believe you have been discriminated against by your employer or landlord, or believe you are the victim of illegal activity from a background check, learn how file a complaint with one of the agencies below:

This resource empowers searchers with the necessary information and steps to search Horry County public records on themselves or others residing within the county.


References

1Horry County, South Carolina. (2023). Bookings and Releases. Retrieved August 31, 2023, from <https://www.horrycountysc.gov/apps/bookings>

2Myrtle Beach Police Department. (2023). Inmate Detail. Retrieved August 31, 2023, from <https://p2c.cityofmyrtlebeach.com/p2c/InmateDetail.aspx?navid=638291013468152578>

3North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. (2023). Form Center. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Retrieved August 31, 2023, from <https://www.nmb.us/FormCenter/Administration-7/Freedom-of-Information-Act-FOIA-50>

4Myrtle Beach Police Department. (2023). Wanted List. Retrieved August 31, 2023, from <https://p2c.cityofmyrtlebeach.com/p2c/wantedlist.aspx>

5SC Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services. (2023). Name Database Search and Fee Payment. Retrieved August 31, 2023, from <https://www.dppps.sc.gov/Offender-Supervision/Offender-Search>

6South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division.(2023). Citizens Access to Criminal Histories (CATCH). Retrieved August 31, 2023, from <https://catch.sled.sc.gov/CRCRecordSearch.aspx>

7South Carolina Judicial Branch. (2023). Case Records Search. Retrieved August 31, 2023, from <https://www.sccourts.org/casesearch/>

8Federal Bureau of Prisons. (2023). Find an inmate. Retrieved August 31, 2023, from <https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/>

9Horry County Sheriff’s Office. (2023). Sex Offender Registry. Retrieved August 31, 2023, from <https://www.icrimewatch.net/index.php?AgencyID=54080&disc=54080>

10South Carolina Department of Social Services. (2023). Family Court Public Access. Retrieved August 31, 2023, from <https://portal.fccms.dss.sc.gov/#/PublicAccessPersonSearch>

11Horry County Circuit Court. (2023). Probate Court. Retrieved August 31, 2023, from <https://www.horrycountysc.gov/departments/probate-court/>

12Supreme Court of the United States. (2022). Opinions of the Court. Retrieved August 31, 2023, from <https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/slipopinion/22>

13South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. (2023). Marriage Certificates. Retrieved August 31, 2023, from <https://scdhec.gov/vital-records/marriage-certificates#1>

14Horry County Register of Deeds. (2023). Online Records Search. Retrieved August 31, 2023, from <https://acclaimweb.horrycounty.org/AcclaimWeb/search/SearchTypeName>

15Horry County, South Carolina. (2023). Land Records. Retrieved August 31, 2023, from <https://www.horrycounty.org/apps/LandRecords/>