A: Conway is the county seat, and that's where you'll need to apply for and then receive your marriage license. Marriage licenses are issued at the Probate Court Office (843-915-5370). It's in the County Courthouse at 1310 Second Avenue, Conway. Marriage licenses are issued between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, but the office is open until 5:00 p.m.
To receive a marriage license from the Probate Court, you'll need to: 1) file a marriage application; 2) file a statement, under oath or affirmation, that the persons seeking the contract of matrimony are legally entitled to marry, together with the full names of the persons, their ages and their places of residence; 3) pay the appropriate fee; and 4) observe the 24-hour waiting period.
Only ministers of the gospel, accepted Jewish rabbis and officers authorized to administer oaths in South Carolina are authorized to administer a marriage ceremony in this state. Marriage licenses are public records and are open to the public during regular business hours. Here are the fees:
Marriage License Fees (includes Criminal Domestic Fund):
County residents $50.00
State residents $75.00
Out of state and all others $100.00
Other Fees:
Ceremony $50.00
Certified Copy (1994 - present) $5.00
Pre-1994 research fee $10.00
Marriage Record Correction $6.75

Visit www.horrycounty.org/probatecourt/marriage.html for more details.
If you're thinking about a wedding on public property within the City of Myrtle Beach, here are some helpful details.
The public beach... Commercially-produced weddings are not permitted on the public beach. Non-commercial weddings are allowed on the public beach.
Private portions of the beach... Only a handful of oceanfront lots extend to the high tide line, and the city has no jurisdiction for either commercially-produced or non-commercial weddings on those few lot extensions.
Public parks in commercial areas, by reservation... Commercially-produced and non-commercial weddings are permitted in public parks in the commercial areas of the city, with an approved Facility Use Permit. Contact the Parks Division at 843-918-2332. Shelter rental is required if a shelter exists at the park ($25 for city residents; $42.75 for non-residents).
Public parks in commercial areas, without reservation... Commercially-produced and non-commercial weddings are permitted without a Facility Use Permit. Other park users cannot be required to leave the park.
Parks in residential areas, by reservation... Commercially-produced weddings are prohibited. Non-commercial weddings are permitted with an approved Facility Use Permit. No insurance certificate is required. The city may deny a Facility Use Permit based on any factor, including traffic and neighborhood impact. Shelter rental is required if a shelter exists at the park ($25 for city residents; $42.75 for non-residents).
Parks in residential areas, without reservation... Commercially-produced weddings are prohibited. Non-commercial weddings are permitted with an approved Facility Use Permit. No insurance certificate is required. Other park users cannot be required to leave the park.
Here's a list of city parks in commercial areas:
Hurl Rock Park, Ocean Boulevard at 20th Avenue South
Nance Plaza, Kings Highway at Ninth Avenue North
Justin W. Plyler Boardwalk Park, Ocean Boulevard at Mr. Joe White Avenue (11th Avenue North)
Chapin Park, Kings Highway at 16th Avenue North
Anderson Family Park, Ocean Boulevard at 20th Avenue North
Cameron Park, Ocean Boulevard at 27th Avenue North
Woman's Club Park, Ocean Boulevard at Haskell Circle
Futrell Park, Mr. Joe White Avenue and Dunbar Street
Park at the former Air Force Base, Farrow Parkway or Myers Avenue

A: Earlier names for Myrtle Beach included Long Bay, Withers and New Town. The area was called Long Bay when a hurricane swept through in 1822. It was later known as Withers for the Withers family, which had owned property in the area since the late 1700s. A Withers post office even opened in 1888. The Burroughs and Collins Company of Conway purchased much of the Withers? family land in 1881, and the growing community was called New Town at the turn of the century. In 1900, a contest was held to give the area an official name, and Addie Burroughs, widow of Franklin G. Burroughs, suggested Myrtle Beach because of the wax myrtle bushes growing abundantly here. That's when Myrtle Beach became Myrtle Beach. The Withers post office then was replaced by the first Myrtle Beach post office in the early 1900s. Myrtle Beach became an official town in 1938, when it incorporated, and a city in 1957.

A: From May 15 to September 15, dogs are allowed on the beach only before 9:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m. Between September 15 and May 15, dogs are allowed on the beach at any time of day. At all times when dogs are allowed on the beach, they must be on a leash that's seven feet or shorter, and you must pick up and properly dispose of the droppings. For hotels and resorts that allow pets visit our Accommodations page.

A: No. It is illegal for any person to use, fire, shoot, discharge, sell or offer for sale, store, exchange, give away or possess any fireworks within the city. This prohibition includes the beach. (Fireworks displays by pyrotechnic professionals may be approved if properly permitted and supervised.). Myrtle Beach does not allow fireworks in the city limits. If you want to shoot fireworks off you will have to go outside of the city limits into Georgetown but do so at your own risk, the laws are always changing, so check them before you shoot fireworks off.

A: For details on the city's parking meters and paystations, in effect from March 15 through September 15 each year, visit the cities website at http://cityofmyrtlebeach.com

A: The Myrtle Beach city limits cover approximately 22.48 square miles, or 14,386 acres. Our shoreline is about nine and a half miles long. Myrtle Beach's average daily population is estimated at 105,000, although the current permanent population is approximately 25,000. Of course, during the peak tourism season, it's not unusual to have 300,000 or more people in town! Here are the official U.S. Census figures, by decade, for the City of Myrtle Beach:
1940 1,597
1950 3,345
1960 7,834
1970 9,035
1980 18,737
1990 24,848
2000 22,759

According to the 2000 Census, the Myrtle Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which includes all of Horry County, was the 13th-fastest-growing MSA in the country. In 2000, the population in the Myrtle Beach MSA was 196,500, an increase of 36.5 percent from 1990.

A: The Myrtle Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) includes all of Horry County. For information about local demographics, please visit these U.S. Census Bureau web sites:
Myrtle Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area
City of Myrtle Beach
City of North Myrtle Beach
Town of Surfside Beach

A: The city's coordinates are 78.9 degrees west and 33.7 degrees north.

A: Myrtle Beach International Airport is growing each year.Close to 1 million people will fly into Myrtle Beach on over seven airlines this year. Myrtle Beach International Airport serves travelers from across the country with scheduled service to many destinations including Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Washington and more.
The following fly out and into Myrtle Beach.
Continental
Delta
Myrtle Beach Direct Air
NWA (Northwest Airlines)
Southern Skyways
Spirit Airlines
US Airways
United Express
Myrtle Beach also serves general aviation as well as the Military.
For more information about Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) call the airport at 448-1589 or visit flymyrtlebeach.com - Department of Airports 1100 Jetport Road Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

A: Yes, you may fish on the beach, and, no, you do not need a license to surf fish. However, we do urge you to use caution when surf fishing, especially when swimmers or surfers are in the vicinity. Several piers are available for fishing, too. If you want to fish off the piers you will need to pay a small fee each day you go onto the pier to fish. Most piers are $5-$10 and they also can rent you equipment. For more information about fishing regulations in South Carolina, visit the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

A: The Convention Center is located at 21st Avenue North and Oak Street. From Highway 17 Bypass, take 21st Avenue North to Oak Street, and the Convention Center will be on your left. Call the Convention Center at 918-1225.

A: Myrtle Beach weather is some of the nicest you will find anywhere in the United States. Myrtle Beach has a comfortable climate to live in. Average temperature in Myrtle Beach during the summer (middle of May-end of August) you will find it in the upper 80s and lower 90s with 90+ % humidity. Don't be shocked if it hits 100s at least 1 week out of the summer. Granted it does get hot in Myrtle Beach during the summer, but who doesn't like over 250 days of sunshine a year? It definately makes ideal weather for suntanning. A great time to enjoy many outdoor activities in Myrtle Beach as well, from cookouts at Myrtle Beach State Park, relaxing on the beach, taking a walk looking for shells, or taking part in watersports in Myrtle Beach. The fall is still relatively nice out, weather remains in the 70s and 60s, sometimes it will drop into the 50s at night. Winter in Myrtle Beach isn't all that bad, especially when you compare it to the northern states, usually it holds in the 50s throughout the winter (Mid November-End of Feb). There will be days where it gets down into the 30s, occassionally drops to the upper 20s, but thats rare, Don't be suprised if you get some 70s in the winter months as well. The spring is a nice time down here, it doesn't start to get really humid until the middle of May. This is a great time to start doing some spring cleaning and then heading to the beach to relax.

Current Weather

A: There are over 100 golf courses in Myrtle Beach and along the Grand Strand. See our Golf page to view the courses. The city of Myrtle Beach operates Whispering Pines Golf Course. Call Whispering Pines at 918-2305.You may contact the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce at 800-356-3016 or Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday at 843-477-8833 for additional information about the many golf courses available here. We will be developing a more in depth golf site so stay tuned.

A:Contact us and we'll be glad to help! You may also post a message on our Message Boards as well.