It depends. In some counties in North Carolina, there is the opportunity to get divorced without going to court. In Mecklenburg County, for example, as long as all the procedures have been met (i.e. six-month residency, one-year separation, service of the opposing party, and no issues of material fact), you do not have to show up for court.

In other counties, the court takes the testimony of at least one of the parties to determine whether an Absolute Divorce is appropriate.