North Carolina Divorce Forms: The Divorce Packet, AOC Forms and Where to Get Them
North Carolina family law · Last reviewed October 23, 2026
North Carolina's court forms carry AOC numbers (from the Administrative Office of the Courts). One key document doesn't: "The courts do not provide a standard form for the complaint." The free North Carolina Divorce Packet, revised April 2026, supplies a complaint you fill in, plus the other papers for a divorce-only case. Guide & File, the court's online interview, can prepare them too.
Starting the case
| Form | Number | Revision | What it's for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint for Absolute Divorce, with Verification | none (packet) | Packet V1-5, April 2026 | States the marriage, the separation, residency and any minor children; must be verified |
| Domestic Civil Action Cover Sheet | AOC-CV-750 | Rev. 1/14 | Required with every domestic filing |
| Civil Summons | AOC-CV-100 | Rev. 12/23 | Notifies your spouse and starts the 30-day answer period |
| Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Declaration | AOC-G-250 | Rev. 4/24 | Shows whether your spouse is in the military |
The clerk "shall require a party to refile a filing which does not include the required cover sheet." Under G.S. 50-8, "In all actions for divorce the complaint shall be verified in accordance with the provisions of Rule 11 of the Rules of Civil Procedure and G.S. 1-148."
Service and response
| Form | Number | Revision | What it's for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affidavit of Service by Registered or Certified Mail or Designated Delivery Service | AOC-CV-105 | New 8/17 | Proves mail service (the packet has its own version) |
| Acceptance of Service | none (packet) | Packet V1-5 | Your spouse accepts service instead of being served |
| Waiver and Answer | none (packet) | Packet V1-5 | Your spouse admits the allegations and waives the 30-day answer period |
| Notice of Hearing | AOC-G-180 | Rev. 10/13 | Notifies your spouse of the court date |
The judgment
| Form | Number | Revision | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Judgment for Absolute Divorce Before the Clerk | AOC-CV-710 | Rev. 7/14 | Divorce (and a name change) is the only claim, and your spouse defaulted, admitted or waived the answer |
| Judgment for Absolute Divorce Before Judge (Based on One Year's Separation) | AOC-CV-712 | New 8/24 | A judge's judgment |
| Judgment for Absolute Divorce | none (packet) | Packet V1-5 | The packet's judge's judgment, with a certificate of service |
| Certificate of Absolute Divorce or Annulment | AOC-CV-711 / DHHS 2089 | Rev. 11/18 | The vital-records report the clerk sends to the State |
The clerk's form warns: "If plaintiff’s complaint is not verified or if the complaint does not allege all of the facts necessary, the clerk should not enter a judgment."
Fees and your name
| Form | Number | Revision | What it's for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petition to Proceed as an Indigent | AOC-G-106 | Rev. 11/24 | Asks to file without paying costs in advance |
| Civil Affidavit of Indigency | AOC-CV-226 | Rev. 4/23 | Supporting financial details, if the clerk asks |
| Application/Notice of Resumption of Former Name | AOC-SP-600 | Rev. 7/24 | Restores a former name after the divorce ($10) |
A few cautions about the packet
- Residency. One page says the plaintiff must have lived in North Carolina for six months. The statute lets either spouse meet the requirement.
- The acceptance of service has your spouse "hereby submit to the jurisdiction of the North Carolina General Court of Justice for all purposes." Your spouse should understand that before signing.
- It's for divorce only. It doesn't cover alimony, property division, custody or child support, and an absolute divorce ends unfiled property and alimony claims.
- Use the current version. Older packets still circulate online; the current one is V1-5, April 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get North Carolina divorce forms?
From the court's free North Carolina Divorce Packet, Guide & File online, or the AOC forms pages on nccourts.gov. As the packet warns, "No one at the Judicial Center, Clerk of Court’s office, or Judge’s office may give legal advice or tell you how to fill out these forms."
Is there an official North Carolina divorce complaint form?
No. The courts don't provide a standard complaint form; the divorce packet includes a complaint template you complete and verify.
What's the difference between AOC-CV-710 and AOC-CV-712?
CV-710 is the clerk's judgment, available only when divorce (and a name change) is your only claim and your spouse defaulted, admitted the allegations or waived the answer. CV-712 is a judge's judgment.
Can I file divorce papers online in North Carolina?
Yes. Self-represented filers registered in eCourts can file electronically where it's available, and eCourts is now in all 100 counties. Guide & File helps prepare the papers.