Horry County Property Search 2026: Free Records & Tax Lookup
Need to find a Horry County property by address, owner name or parcel number? Start with the county’s official Land Records service. From there, you can identify the property, review assessment information, locate its map and follow the right county service for taxes or recorded deeds.
This guide covers property searches across Myrtle Beach, Conway, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Socastee and other communities in Horry County. It also explains which county office handles valuations, tax bills and ownership documents.
Quick Answer: How to Search Horry County Property Records
Visit the Horry County Online Services page and select Land Records. Create or sign in to your free county account if requested. Search using the available address, owner or parcel-identification fields, then open the matching record.
For a property tax balance or payment receipt, choose Tax Payments & Receipts. For a deed, mortgage or recorded plat, use Deed Search or the Register of Deeds.
Official Horry County Property Search Tools
Horry County maintains different systems for assessment records, taxes, mapping and recorded documents. Choosing the correct service avoids searching the same address repeatedly in a system that does not contain the document you need.
Land Records
Find real estate information and locate a property identification number using the county’s land records tools.
Open Land Records directory ↗Property Taxes
Review tax payments, receipts and tax-related information through the county’s tax services.
Open Tax Payer Services ↗GIS Parcel Maps
Explore property boundaries, parcel locations and surrounding geographical information.
Open Horry County GIS ↗Deeds and Mortgages
Search land instruments maintained by the Register of Deeds, including deeds, mortgages and plats.
Visit Register of Deeds ↗Property Valuation
Learn how the Assessor values real property and determines applicable assessment classifications.
Visit County Assessor ↗Tax Estimator
Estimate potential taxes using a property’s PIN and the county’s applicable assumptions.
Open Tax Estimator ↗How to Search Horry County Property Records in 2026
The easiest starting point is a street address. If you have a property identification number (PIN), keep it handy because it can help match records across the Assessor, GIS and tax systems.
Open the County’s Official Website
Go to Horry County Online Services and find the Land Records option under Search. Use the county’s official website rather than an unrelated property listing or paid background-check site.
Register or Sign In
Complete the county’s free account registration if necessary. Since March 16, 2026, systems displaying property-address information have required a user login. Follow the registration and verification instructions displayed by the county.
Enter the Property Details
Use the search fields offered by the selected application. An address, owner name or PIN may help locate the record. If the full address does not work, try the street name without an apartment or unit number.
Confirm the Matching Parcel
Compare the address, ownership details, acreage and parcel identifier. This is especially important for properties with similar street names, recently subdivided land or multiple condominium units.
Review the Assessment Information
Check the reported property value, classification and other available assessment details. Remember that an assessed or appraised value is not necessarily the property’s current selling price.
Use the PIN for Additional Searches
Save the correct PIN. You can use it in the county’s tax estimator and as a reference when contacting the Assessor or researching related tax information.
Verify Taxes and Recorded Documents Separately
Use Tax Payments & Receipts for bills or payment information. Use the Register of Deeds for recorded instruments. Do not treat a property summary as a replacement for the recorded deed or a current tax statement.
What Information Can a Horry County Property Record Show?
The available fields depend on which county database you use. A real property assessment record serves a different purpose from a deed record or an online tax receipt.
| Record Information | What It Helps You Understand | Best Source |
|---|---|---|
| Property address | The location assigned to the parcel or improvement. | Land Records |
| Owner information | Ownership information reflected in county records. | Assessor / Land Records |
| PIN | A parcel identification reference used in county systems. | Land Records |
| Appraised value | The value used for county assessment purposes. | Assessor |
| Tax amount | The billed amount, payment information and applicable charges. | Tax Payments & Receipts |
| Acreage and parcel map | Approximate parcel location and mapped extent. | GIS |
| Deeds and mortgages | Recorded conveyances and instruments affecting the property. | Register of Deeds |
Availability, update timing and historical coverage vary. For a legal transaction, obtain the relevant recorded documents rather than relying exclusively on an assessment screen.
Horry County Property Tax Search, Bills and Payments
The Horry County Treasurer collects property taxes. The Auditor maintains tax rolls and calculates individual property taxes, while the Assessor determines real property values. These responsibilities matter when you need to resolve an incorrect assessment rather than simply pay a bill.
Find a Tax Bill or Receipt
Open the county’s Tax Payer Services page and select Tax Payments & Receipts. Review the tax year, notice, amount and payment status shown by the official service.
Search Tax Payer Services ↗Pay Horry County Property Taxes
The county offers payment methods that include online, mail, telephone and in-person payments. Available payment types and processing fees differ by method.
Review Official Payment Instructions ↗Important Property Tax Dates
According to Horry County’s published real property tax instructions, the standard payment deadline is January 15. Late-payment penalties begin on scheduled dates after the deadline. Review your current tax notice for the exact amount and any applicable adjustments.
| Date | What It Means |
|---|---|
| January 15 | Standard due date for the annual real property tax payment. |
| January 16 | First scheduled penalty date for unpaid taxes. |
| February 2 | Next scheduled delinquency penalty date. |
| March 17 | Additional scheduled penalty date under the county’s published instructions. |
These are the county’s published standard dates, not a calculation of a specific taxpayer’s current balance. Confirm the tax year, notice and amount with the Treasurer.
Online Tax Payment Fees
Horry County’s Tax Payer Services information lists free online e-check payments and a 2.35% processing fee for online credit or debit card payments. The county notes that additional payment-method restrictions and separate telephone or office fees can apply. Confirm the fee displayed before completing a transaction.
Understanding Property Values and Assessments
Horry County’s Assessor appraises real property for taxation and maintains ownership information. The figure used on a tax record may differ from a recent sale price or a real estate website’s estimate.
Market Value
An appraisal figure used by the county when assessing real property under South Carolina law.
Assessment Ratio
A percentage applied to the property’s taxable valuation according to its eligible classification.
Millage
The applicable tax rate expressed in mills, combined with relevant exemptions and credits in calculating taxes.
How the Calculation Works
A simplified starting formula is:
The assessed value is then multiplied by applicable millage. Credits, exemptions, special assessments and other adjustments can change the final bill.
For a hypothetical $300,000 taxable value at a 4% ratio, the initial assessed value would be $12,000. This is not a tax bill: the relevant millage, credits and property-specific treatment still need to be applied.
Use the official Horry County Tax Estimator for an estimate tied to a PIN. The county warns that its estimator is not suitable for properties containing multiple property types.
Horry County Deed Search and Ownership Records
The Horry County Register of Deeds maintains recorded land instruments including deeds, mortgages and plats. The recorded deed is generally a better starting point than an assessment summary when researching how an ownership interest was conveyed.
Search the Official Recording System
The county’s official recording search includes options such as name, book/page, document type, recording date and legal description. Some documents may require further review or a copy request.
How to Research a Deed
- Start with the owner’s or prior owner’s name, or a known recording reference.
- Compare the document date, type and legal description to the property being researched.
- Review related recorded instruments when necessary.
- Request an appropriate certified copy if a lender, attorney or other recipient requires one.
- For title questions, unresolved liens or conflicting documents, seek a qualified title professional or attorney.
Horry County GIS Maps and Parcel Boundaries
The Horry County GIS application displays parcel mapping data used for county purposes. It is helpful for locating land, examining surrounding parcels and understanding the general layout of property in coastal and inland communities.
Locate a Parcel
Use the official GIS application or GIS Parcels link. Sign in if prompted, locate the parcel and compare its mapped location with its land record information.
Open GIS Resources ↗Check Coastal Property Information
For property in areas such as Myrtle Beach, Garden City or Little River, review location and flood-related information separately when making purchase or construction decisions.
Explore County Mapping Services ↗The county cautions that GIS parcel mapping reflects the parcel fabric used for taxation, not a legally authoritative boundary survey. A licensed surveyor may be needed to establish boundary locations for construction, fencing or a dispute.
Legal Residence, Homestead and Other Property Tax Benefits
South Carolina distinguishes an eligible primary residence from a second home or investment property. That distinction can substantially change the property tax calculation.
| Classification or Benefit | General Treatment | Responsible Office |
|---|---|---|
| Legal residence | Qualifying owner-occupied primary homes may receive a 4% assessment ratio and applicable school operations tax relief. | Assessor |
| Other real property | A 6% ratio generally applies to other real property, subject to applicable rules and classifications. | Assessor |
| Agricultural use | Qualifying agricultural land may receive special treatment based on its eligibility and use. | Assessor |
| Homestead exemption | Qualifying South Carolina homeowners may receive an exemption on the first $50,000 of fair market value of their legal residence under state requirements. | Auditor |
Legal Residence Applications
The special 4% ratio is not automatic simply because a person owns a house. The homeowner must meet the legal residence qualifications and receive approval from the Assessor’s Office. A vacation home or rental property normally does not qualify as an owner’s legal residence.
Horry County announced a May 31 deadline for certain 2025 legal residence applications to ensure that year’s tax bills reflected the 4% rate. That announcement should not be treated as confirmation of a May 31, 2026 deadline. Review the current application instructions or ask the Assessor which deadline applies to your tax year and situation.
Find application resources through the Assessor’s Office and Online Services.
Horry County Offices for Property Records and Taxes
The correct department depends on whether you have a valuation question, a bill to pay, a homestead exemption to discuss or a recorded deed to obtain.
| Office | Contact / Service | Official Website |
|---|---|---|
| Horry County Assessor | 843-915-5040 Real property valuations, ownership information and legal residence assessments. |
Assessor website ↗ |
| Horry County Auditor | 843-915-5050 Tax roll calculations, classifications and certain exemptions. |
Auditor website ↗ |
| Horry County Treasurer | Tax bills, payment collection, receipts and delinquent balances. | Property tax services ↗ |
| Register of Deeds | 843-915-5430 1301 Second Avenue, Conway, SC 29526 Recorded deeds, mortgages and plats. |
Register of Deeds ↗ |
| IT/GIS | 843-915-5240 GIS parcel maps, mapping services and related technical resources. |
IT/GIS website ↗ |
Confirm operating hours, service locations, document requirements and appointment arrangements with the respective department before visiting. County departments may have different public service hours.
Common Property Search Problems and What to Do
Address Not Found
Try another address format, remove the unit number or search using the owner name or PIN where supported. For recently split or combined parcels, contact the Assessor.
Property Owner Looks Incorrect
Check the recorded deed and its recording date. An assessment system may not reflect a very recent transfer immediately. Ask the appropriate county office about discrepancies.
Login or Search Page Not Working
Make sure you are using the current county portal, with the required free login. Allow the browser features necessary for the application, and use the county’s account recovery option when needed.
Tax Bill Shows an Unexpected Amount
Review the tax year, assessment classification, millage, credits and delinquent charges. Contact the Assessor for valuation or residence status issues and the Auditor or Treasurer for the relevant billing issue.
GIS Boundary Appears Incorrect
Compare the mapped parcel with the legal description and any survey documents. Do not make boundary decisions based only on a GIS outline.
Old Tax Receipt or Deed Needed
Search the appropriate historical tax or recorded-document service. If the file is unavailable online, contact the office responsible for maintaining that type of record.
Before Buying Property in Horry County
A basic property record is a useful starting point for researching a home, vacant lot or commercial parcel. Buyers should make sure the address, parcel and legal description refer to the same property.
- Compare the listing address with the county PIN and legal description.
- Review the recorded deed and obtain professional title research where appropriate.
- Check whether the property currently receives a 4% or 6% assessment and whether that classification may change after purchase.
- Examine tax balances and ask about any delinquent taxes.
- Review applicable GIS, flood and land-use information; use appropriate professional verification for boundaries and development feasibility.
- For condominiums and planned communities, research any association obligations separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Horry County property search free in 2026?
County online services allow users to research public property information, and the county’s property-address access account is free. Fees may apply to copies, certified documents and certain payment methods.
Can I search Horry County property records by address?
Yes. Start with the official Land Records service on Horry County Online Services. Sign in if prompted, then use the search options provided by the county application.
Why does Horry County property search require a login?
Beginning March 16, 2026, Horry County required free user logins for online platforms displaying property-address information, including GIS, Land Records and Tax & Assessor services.
How do I find a Horry County property PIN?
Use the county’s Land Records application to locate a property using its available address or owner search options. The Assessor identifies Land Records as a way to find the PIN needed for the county tax estimator.
Where can I search Horry County property tax records?
Visit the county’s Tax Payer Services page and open Tax Payments & Receipts. Review the tax year, bill and payment information directly in the official service.
How do I look up a deed in Horry County?
Use the Register of Deeds and its official recorded-document search. Search options include names, book/page references, recording dates, document types and legal descriptions.
What is the difference between the 4% and 6% property tax assessment ratios?
The 4% ratio generally applies to qualifying and approved owner-occupied primary residences. The 6% ratio generally applies to other real property, including many vacation and investment properties. Eligibility and applicable credits can change the final bill.
Can I use the GIS map as a property boundary survey?
No. Horry County states that its GIS parcel fabric is intended for tax mapping, not survey purposes. Use a qualified land surveyor when an authoritative boundary determination is required.
Official Horry County Resources
Use these first-party county pages to verify procedures, access public record services and review property tax guidance.