Myrtle Beach Background Check Search
Myrtle Beach is a coastal city in Horry County with a resident population near 35,000 that swells with tourists during peak season. The city sits along the Grand Strand. All court records for Myrtle Beach go through the Horry County court system. A background check in Myrtle Beach draws on the city police department, the municipal court, and county court records. The city also requires background checks for certain local permits, making this a topic of practical interest for residents and businesses alike.
Myrtle Beach Quick Facts
Myrtle Beach Police Department
The Myrtle Beach Police Department handles law enforcement within the city. The department files arrest reports, incident reports, and accident reports for events in Myrtle Beach. As a tourist destination, the police department handles a high volume of cases relative to the city's resident population.
Police records in Myrtle Beach are public under the SC Freedom of Information Act. You can request records from the department by providing the full name of the person and any details you have about the incident. The department processes these requests during business hours. Arrest records show the charge, date, and name of the person. Incident reports cover reported crimes within Myrtle Beach city limits.
The police department website also has resources on community safety programs, divisions, and contact information for the Myrtle Beach area.
Taxi and Chauffeur Permits in Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach requires a background check for anyone applying for a taxi or chauffeur permit. This is one of the few city-level permits in South Carolina that requires a formal criminal history check. The process is run through the Myrtle Beach Police Department regulatory division.
To get a taxi permit in Myrtle Beach, you must be at least 21 years old. You need a SLED criminal history check, which costs $25. You also need a 10-year driving record from the South Carolina DMV. The police department reviews permit applications on Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the Police Annex building.
The SLED check and DMV record together form the background check for the permit. The police department reviews both documents before making a decision. This process is specific to Myrtle Beach and applies to anyone who wants to drive a taxi or for-hire vehicle within the city.
Note: The $25 SLED check fee and DMV record fee are paid by the applicant. Bring both documents to the Thursday review session at the Police Annex in Myrtle Beach.
Myrtle Beach Municipal Court
The Myrtle Beach Municipal Court handles misdemeanors and city ordinance violations. Traffic cases, minor criminal charges, and code violations from Myrtle Beach are processed here.
Municipal court records are part of a Myrtle Beach background check. They show the charge, how the case was resolved, and what penalties were imposed. You can contact the court to inquire about specific cases. Felony charges and more serious matters from Myrtle Beach move to the Horry County Court of General Sessions.
Horry County Court Records
Myrtle Beach is in Horry County. All criminal cases beyond the municipal court level go through the Horry County courts. The Horry County Public Index is an online search tool for county court records.
You can search the Horry County Public Index by name or case number. Results show the case type, charges, filing date, and current status. The index covers the Court of General Sessions, Court of Common Pleas, and Family Court. For a background check in Myrtle Beach, this is where you find felony cases and civil litigation that involve people in the city.
Horry County is one of the larger counties in South Carolina by area. The county court system handles a significant volume of cases. The Myrtle Beach area generates many of those cases due to the city's tourism activity and seasonal population swings. The public index captures cases from across the county, including Myrtle Beach, Conway, and other Horry County communities.
State Criminal Records for Myrtle Beach
The SLED CATCH system provides statewide criminal history for South Carolina. For a Myrtle Beach background check, CATCH shows conviction records from every county in the state. This is useful when you need to check whether someone has a record beyond Horry County.
SLED CATCH searches by name and date of birth. Results include criminal convictions from county courts across the state. The system is run by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
- Myrtle Beach Police for local arrest records
- Myrtle Beach Municipal Court for city cases
- Horry County Public Index for county court records
- SLED CATCH for statewide criminal history
- SC Corrections for state prison records
- SC Probation and Parole for supervision data
The SC Department of Corrections and Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services round out the state-level sources. Together with local and county records, these give you a full picture for a Myrtle Beach background check.
The probation and parole database shows supervision status for anyone under state oversight who may live in Myrtle Beach or anywhere in South Carolina.
Horry County Records Page
Myrtle Beach is in Horry County. All criminal and civil court cases from the city go through the county system. For a complete guide to Horry County courts and records, visit the county page.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Cities near Myrtle Beach along the Grand Strand and beyond. Each has its own local records.