Forms & Filing: What to File, How to Fill It Out, Where It Goes

How filing works (any case)

1. Get the current form. Always download fresh from nccourts.gov/documents/forms — old versions get rejected. Search by the AOC number.
2. Fill it out completely — in plain, specific, dated facts. "On March 14, 2026 at the Food Lion on Main St., he…" beats "he constantly harasses me." Unsworn conclusions persuade no one; specifics do.
3. File it with the Clerk of Court in the right county, or electronically through the NC eFiling portal. Bring two extra copies: one for service, one for your records, both file-stamped.
4. Serve the other side. Nothing counts until served. DVPO papers are served by the sheriff at no cost; ordinary civil papers are served by sheriff (fee) or certified mail per Rule 4. Motions in an existing case are served on the other party (or counsel) with a certificate of service.
5. Calendar everything the moment it's filed — see deadlines & windows.

DVPO forms (Chapter 50B) — walkthrough

• AOC-CV-303 — Complaint & Motion for DVPO. The case-starter. How to fill: identify the § 50B-1(b) relationship; describe the most recent incident and the worst incidents with dates, places, and exact acts/words; complete the firearms questions carefully (they drive § 50B-3.1 surrender); check only the relief you actually want. It's sworn — accuracy is everything, and exaggeration is impeachment material later.Get form ↗
• AOC-CV-304 / AOC-CV-306 — Ex Parte Order / DVPO. The orders the judge enters (you don't fill these, but read every box of any order against you — the boxes checked are the law of your life for the next year).Get form ↗
• Answering a 50B complaint (respondent). There's no AOC answer form — a written answer is a short numbered response admitting/denying each paragraph, filed with the clerk within 10 days of service and served on the plaintiff. Even a simple general denial preserves your footing; then prepare for the 10-day hearing (see respond guide and evidence).10 days
• AOC-CV-313 — Motion to Renew / Modify / Set Aside DVPO + Notice of Hearing. Three tools on one form. Renewal (plaintiff): must be filed before expiration. Modification (either party, § 50B-3(b2)): state the specific term and the good cause to change it. Set aside: pairs with Rule 60(b) grounds like fraud or misrepresentation — state the grounds with particularity.Get form ↗
• AOC-CV-307 — Motion for Order to Show Cause. Contempt enforcement for violations of the order — either party can use it, pro se. Attach your dated proof of each violation.Get form ↗
• 50C versions (non-domestic): AOC-CV-520 (complaint), CV-521 (summons), CV-522 (notice of hearing), CV-523 (temporary order) — see the TRO & 50C guide.Get form ↗
• AOC-G-250 — Servicemembers Civil Relief Act affidavit — required before default judgments; AOC-G-100 — Subpoena — compels witnesses or records to your hearing.Get form ↗

Filing & service: no filing fee, no service fee for 50B cases (§ 50B-2(a)). File at the clerk's DV unit (Room 527, 5th floor, Wake County) or e-file; the sheriff serves the defendant. If you're in immediate danger, ask for the ex parte process the same day — file by 8:30am–3:30pm weekdays.

Custody forms (Chapter 50) — walkthrough

• Custody complaint — no statewide AOC form exists. A custody complaint is a drafted pleading: parties, the child, the § 50A-209 child-status information, facts about caregiving and the child's circumstances, and a request for the custody you want. Many counties (including Wake) offer a pro se custody packet with a fill-in template — ask the clerk's family court office, and confirm what your county requires.Drafted / county packet
• AOC-CV-100 — Civil Summons. Issued when you file; the sheriff (fee) or certified mail serves it with the complaint. Keep the service window alive — a summons dies in 60 days (extend via endorsement / alias & pluries).Get form ↗
• UCCJEA affidavit (child-status information, § 50A-209). Required in every custody case: where the child has lived for the past 5 years and with whom, plus any other custody cases anywhere. Disclose other proceedings completely — omissions surface, and they read as misrepresentation to the court.Required — be complete
• AOC-CV-632 — Motion and Order to Waive Custody Mediation. Contested custody is auto-referred to mandatory mediation; this form asks the judge to waive it for good cause (50+ miles away, abuse/DV allegations, substance abuse, hardship, agreed private mediation — § 50-13.1(c)). Otherwise: attend orientation, read the Putting Children First booklet, and complete the mediation office's intake form — full walkthrough in the mediation guide.Get form ↗
• AOC-G-106 — Petition to Proceed as an Indigent. Waives the civil filing fee (custody cases, unlike 50B, have one) if you qualify.Get form ↗
• Answer / counterclaim (defendant): due 30 days from service (one 30-day extension available from the clerk). Counterclaim for custody in the same filing — it keeps your requests in front of the court even if the plaintiff dismisses.30 days (+30)
• Motions in the cause (temporary custody, modification, contempt): drafted motions on 10 days' notice (§ 50-13.5(d)(1)) with a certificate of service. Modification motions must plead the substantial change of circumstances.10 days' notice

After filing: contested custody is routed to mandatory mediation orientation — attend it; waiver requires a motion for good cause (§ 50-13.1(c), including DV allegations). Then temporary hearing, then permanent.

Child support forms — walkthrough

• Two doors: (1) Apply through Child Support Services (IV-D) — the state agency establishes and enforces support for a one-time $25 fee, no lawyer needed; or (2) file a civil claim for support (usually joined with a custody case, § 50-13.5(b)). The agency route is slower but nearly free; the court route gives you control and speed.NC CSS portal ↗
• AOC-CV-627 / 628 / 629 — Worksheets A / B / C. The math itself: A (primary custody), B (shared — 123+ overnights each), C (split). How to fill: gross monthly incomes, pre-existing support, work-related childcare, the child's health-insurance premium portion, extraordinary expenses. Bring documentation for every line — and run the numbers first so you know what's right before anyone hands you a worksheet.Get form ↗
• Financial affidavit. Most districts require a sworn financial affidavit on a local form in support cases — get your county's version from the clerk or local rules, and make it match your documents exactly (it will be cross-examined).Local form
• Modification motion: drafted motion in the existing case pleading the substantial change (or the 3-year/15% guideline gap). File it the day circumstances change — relief only reaches back to the filing date (§ 50-13.10).File immediately

What to bring (any filing)

Photo ID; the other party's address (and a description or photo for sheriff service); dates and details of what you're alleging; supporting documents (see building your evidence); and payment or the AOC-G-106 fee waiver for civil cases.

Frequently asked questions