North Carolina Divorce and Dissolution Resources
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A North Carolina divorce is filed in the District Court, and the paperwork you start with depends on whether you have minor children together and whether there is property to divide.
North Carolina's core family statutes live in the North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 50 - Divorce and Alimony. In North Carolina, a parent without a lawyer can file family papers online, and filing on paper with the clerk is still allowed. The official sources below cover the petition documents, the statewide forms collection, and the court's own filing instructions.
Official North Carolina divorce resources
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North Carolina family law forms (official index) (North Carolina judicial branch): The official statewide collection of North Carolina family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://www.nccourts.gov/documents/forms
North Carolina court self-help resources (North Carolina courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own North Carolina family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.nccourts.gov/help
eCourts File & Serve (Odyssey) (Tyler Technologies): The eCourts rollout is finished: since October 13, 2025 all 100 North Carolina counties are on the Odyssey system. Attorneys must e-file, but if you do not have a lawyer e-filing is optional and you can still file on paper. https://efilenc.tylertech.cloud/OfsEfsp/ui/landing
North Carolina official filing information (North Carolina judicial branch): The court's own page explaining how documents are filed in North Carolina and what a parent without a lawyer is allowed to do. https://www.nccourts.gov/ecourts
North Carolina financial affidavit and disclosure forms (nccourts.gov): The official source for the financial disclosure paperwork most North Carolina family cases ask both sides to complete. https://www.nccourts.gov/documents/forms
North Carolina mediation and dispute resolution (North Carolina judicial branch): Official information on mediation and other ways to settle a North Carolina family case without a trial. https://www.nccourts.gov/programs/mediation
Verified official North Carolina divorce documents
These official documents cover starting a divorce, responding to one, settling, and the final orders. Requirements vary by county, so confirm the packet with your clerk before filing.
Complaint for Absolute Divorce (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.nccourts.gov/assets/inline-files/Divorce_Complaint.pdf
Judgment for Absolute Divorce Before the Clerk (AOC-CV-710), form AOC-CV-710 (Final Judgment / Final Orders), official document: https://www.nccourts.gov/assets/documents/forms/cv710-en.pdf
Official link data for North Carolina was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file for divorce in North Carolina?
In the District Court that serves the county where you live. In North Carolina, a parent without a lawyer can file family papers online, and filing on paper with the clerk is still allowed.
How much does it cost to file a family case in North Carolina?
Divorce filing fee: ~$225. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver or indigency application; every state has a process for requesting one.
Do I need a lawyer to file a North Carolina divorce?
No. North Carolina publishes its family law forms for people representing themselves, and the self-help resources on this page exist for exactly that. A consultation still makes sense when there is a business, a pension, or a serious safety issue in the case.