Conway SC Public Records
Conway public records are held by the City of Conway, the Horry County Clerk of Court, and various county departments. As the county seat of Horry County, Conway is the center for court filings, property documents, and vital records for the broader region. Residents and researchers can request city records through the Conway City Clerk or submit online FOIA forms. This guide covers the main sources for searching and obtaining Conway public records, including police reports, court cases, and historical archives.
Conway Quick Facts
Public Records in Conway
Conway is the county seat of Horry County and one of the oldest cities on the South Carolina coast. City government records include council minutes, ordinances, contracts, planning and zoning files, and business licenses. The City Clerk's office serves as the records custodian for municipal documents. The city's main office is located at 1001 3rd Avenue, Conway, SC 29526, and can be reached by phone at 843-248-1760.
Because Conway is the county seat, many county-level records are also located here. The Horry County Clerk of Court is at 1301 2nd Avenue, Conway, SC. This office holds General Sessions (criminal), Common Pleas (civil), and Family Court records for all of Horry County. The Horry County Register of Deeds, also in Conway, maintains property deeds, mortgages, plats, and land documents.
The City of Conway website provides a FOIA request form and fee schedule for obtaining city records. Records that can be viewed in person without a written request include city meeting minutes from the prior six months, crime reports from the past 14 days, and documents distributed for public body meetings from the prior six months.
Conway Police Department Records
The Conway Police Department handles law enforcement within city limits. Police records including incident reports, accident reports, and arrest records are available through the department's records process. The department maintains records on vehicle tows, warrant service, and other police activities. For records from incidents outside city limits, contact the Horry County Police Department or the Horry County Sheriff's Office.
The Conway Police Department website provides contact information and directions for submitting police records requests.
Visit conwaypd.org for Conway Police Department contact information and to learn how to request police records.
The city's FOIA fee schedule sets paper copy costs at $0.25 per page for letter, legal, and ledger sizes. Color copies are also $0.25 per page. Staff research time is charged at the prorated hourly salary of the lowest-paid qualified employee. Electronic records on CD or DVD cost the price of the media plus the hourly research rate. The city makes clear it does not guarantee that a search will locate all responsive records.
Note: Under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-2-50, it is against state law to use personal information from public records for commercial solicitation. Violations are subject to civil penalties.
How to Request Conway Public Records
All public records requests in Conway must be submitted in writing. Use the FOIA request form available at conwaysc.gov or write a letter that describes the records you are seeking. Submit your request in person, by mail, or electronically through the city's online form.
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act at Title 30, Chapter 4 of the South Carolina Code governs all public records requests. The city must notify you within 10 business days for records less than 24 months old. For older records, the notification deadline is 20 business days. Once approved, the city must produce the records within 30 calendar days.
A deposit of up to 25% of the estimated total cost may be required before work begins. Be as specific as possible with your request. Include names, dates, case numbers, or any details that help narrow the search. Electronic transmissions carry no copy fee. Paper copies cost $0.25 per page.
If the city does not respond within the required window, state law deems the request approved for non-exempt records. Wrongful denials can be challenged in circuit court within one year.
Conway Court Records
Conway has a municipal court that handles traffic citations, city ordinance violations, and misdemeanor cases within city limits. The court processes fines, schedules hearings, and maintains case records. Court dockets from the municipal court are public records available during regular business hours.
For major civil and criminal matters, the Horry County Clerk of Court at 1301 2nd Avenue, Conway, SC is the primary records office. This office maintains all Circuit Court, Family Court, and General Sessions records for Horry County. You can search Horry County court cases for free using the South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index. The system covers all 46 counties and allows searches by name, case number, or court type. As of January 1, 2026, home addresses have been removed from Public Index results to protect privacy.
The SC Appellate Court Records system allows public access to higher court filings from the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court.
Access SC appellate court records at sccourts.org/c-track-public-access/ to search filings from the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court of South Carolina.
Conway Historical and Vital Records
Conway has a rich history as one of the oldest communities in the Horry County area. The Conway Public Library maintains a free online database of historical death records, marriage records, and genealogical materials. Records in this database date back to the 1800s and include fields such as birthdate, death date, death place, birthplace, age, and cemetery information. Marriage records include participant names, ages, dates, and residences.
The Horry County Clerk of Court at 1301 2nd Avenue, Conway, SC also processes birth certificates for recent births at Conway Medical Center. Marriage licenses are available through the Probate Court with same-day service. No waiting period applies in South Carolina. Requirements include a valid government-issued ID, proof of relationship if applicable, and payment of the filing fee.
Vital records such as birth and death certificates are primarily maintained by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. For historical records beyond what the library database holds, the South Carolina Department of Archives and History is an additional resource for state-level genealogical and government documents.
Searching Conway Records Online
Online searches are available for several categories of Conway public records. The SC Public Index gives free access to court records across all 46 South Carolina counties including Horry. You can search by party name or case number for civil, criminal, and family cases.
For criminal history checks, the SLED CATCH system provides name-based searches statewide for $25 per check. Charities pay $8 per search. Results are not fingerprint-based. The SLED CATCH mailing address is PO Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221-1398, and the phone number is 803-896-1443.
Business filings for companies operating in Conway can be searched at no charge through the Secretary of State's business filings portal. Voter and election records are available at scvotes.gov. The SLED Sex Offender Registry is free and searchable online. The SC Department of Corrections maintains an inmate search tool for current state prison records.
Horry County Public Records
Conway is in Horry County. Court and property records for Conway are filed at the Horry County courthouse. Visit the county page for complete records access.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Conway is located in the Grand Strand area of South Carolina. Several nearby communities share the Horry County court system and state public records infrastructure.