Horry County
Horry County is situated in the northeastern corner of South Carolina and was established from Georgetown District in 1801. The county spans a total area of 1,254 square miles, with 1,133 square miles being land and 121 square miles being water. It is the largest county in South Carolina by land area, and its county seat is Conway. As of the 2020 census, the county's population is over 351,029, making it the fourth-most populous county in South Carolina.
The Horry County Circuit Court and Family Court serve as the county's trial courts. The Circuit Court has two primary divisions: Common Pleas and General Sessions. Common Pleas, commonly known as the civil court, handles civil matters, while the General Sessions Court oversees adult felony and misdemeanor criminal cases involving penalties exceeding 30 days or a $500 fine. Notably, the maximum sentence in General Sessions Court is the death penalty. The Horry County Circuit Court is further divided into Magistrate and Probate divisions.
The Horry County Family Court handles various cases, including separations and divorces, custody and visitation rights, adoption and termination of parental rights, name changes, child support, alimony, and division of marital assets. Additionally, the Family Court deals with cases involving minors under the age of 17 who are charged with violating state law or municipal ordinances.
The Horry County Clerk of Courts is responsible for organizing, maintaining, and storing the proceedings and legal decisions from cases handled by the Horry County trial courts. These records are open to public request and inspection and typically encompass court filings, judgments, orders, and transcripts. The Clerk of Courts serves the county's Family Court and Circuit Court. To request public records in Horry County, individuals may submit a written request to the Horry County Clerk of Courts Office by mail or contact (843) 915-5180. Alternatively, individuals can access court records in Horry County through the statewide public index portal.
