Court Filing Fees

All states

Court filing fees in North Carolina

What the court charges to start a divorce or an adult name change in North Carolina, as stated in the fee schedule or statute. Lawyer fees, service of papers and newspaper costs are extra.

$225to file for divorce
$120to file for an adult name change

The details

Fee to file for divorce
DISTRICT COURT TOTAL 150.00 plus Filing for absolute divorce. G.S. 7A-305(a2). 75.00 (Civil Costs Chart effective January 1, 2026)1

Same fee statewide.

The chart does not print the $225.00 sum.

Fee to respond to a divorce
Civil filing fees are assessed for all complaints and for any subsequent pleading containing a counterclaim, crossclaim, or third-party complaint.1

Applies to an answer with a counterclaim. A plain answer is not addressed.

Fee for an adult name change
Special Proceedings (except foreclosures) NON-FORECLOSURE TOTAL 120.002

Same fee statewide.

Chart does not list name change by name. A $30.00 sheriff service fee may apply.

Court that handles divorce
District Court1
If you cannot afford the fee
Petition to Proceed as an Indigent: For people unable to pay the court filing fee.3 Get the form
Fees change, and some counties add local fees. Check the court's own fee page or call the clerk before you file.

Sources

  1. Civil Court Costs Chart, January 2026, North Carolina Judicial Branch, checked 1 November 2026
  2. Special Proceedings Court Costs Chart, January 2026, North Carolina Judicial Branch, checked 1 November 2026
  3. Separation and Divorce, North Carolina Judicial Branch, checked 1 November 2026

Checked 1 November 2026. "Secondary" marks a source we used only because the official page could not be read.