North Carolina divorce at a glance
Residency requirement
6 months in NC by either spouse
No-fault ground
One year's separation (living separate and apart, one party intending it to be permanent) — the standard ground; also 3-year incurable insanity (rare). No additional waiting period after filing; 30-day answer period then summary judgment or hearing.
Filing fee
$225 absolute divorce; +$30 if sheriff serves. Fee waiver: Petition to Proceed as an Indigent (AOC-G-106).
Child support
Income shares model — NC Child Support Guidelines with official worksheets AOC-CV-627 (Worksheet A, sole custody), AOC-CV-628 (B, shared), AOC-CV-629 (C, split). Note: child support is a separate action/claim from the…
E-filing (self-represented)
eCourts File & Serve (Tyler Odyssey) live in ALL 100 counties as of Oct 2025; open to self-represented litigants (optional — paper still accepted). eCourts Guide & File interview feeds directly into…
County differences
LOW-MODERATE — statewide AOC forms; several counties (Durham, Cumberland, Mecklenburg) publish their own pro-se absolute divorce packets with local scheduling/summary-judgment instructions, but underlying forms are the…
Official statewide forms
YES — official NC Divorce Packet (NC Equal Access to Justice Commission / Judicial Branch): instructions, sample Complaint for Absolute Divorce, Civil Summons (AOC-CV-100), Domestic Civil Action Cover Sheet…
Official source: North Carolina court forms & self-help. Always confirm current forms and fees with the court before filing.
Coming soon
North Carolina document generation is on the way
LawCat already prepares complete divorce packets free in New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, and is expanding to North Carolina. In the meantime, the official North Carolina court forms are linked below.
Official North Carolina forms →
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Why LawCat is free
Most “online divorce” sites charge $137–$499 for the same public court forms, and some add monthly fees. LawCat gives document preparation away because it is built by a law firm that helps people who later decide they want an attorney. You keep the free documents either way.
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North Carolina divorce FAQ
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in North Carolina?
No. North Carolina allows you to file for divorce yourself (pro se). LawCat prepares your North Carolina divorce documents free, and you pay only the court’s filing fee. You can hire an attorney at any point if your case becomes complicated.
How long do I have to live in North Carolina to file for divorce?
6 months in NC by either spouse
How much does it cost to file for divorce in North Carolina?
$225 absolute divorce; +$30 if sheriff serves. Fee waiver: Petition to Proceed as an Indigent (AOC-G-106). With LawCat your documents are free, so the filing fee is typically your only unavoidable cost — and it can often be waived if you can’t afford it.
This page is general information about North Carolina’s court process, not legal advice for your situation, and LawCat is not a law firm. Forms and fees change — verify with the official court source above. Reviewed 2026.