How and where is a divorce complaint filed?

The complaint for absolute divorce is filed in district court. The action shall be filed in the county in which either plaintiff or defendant resides. If the plaintiff is a nonresident then the action shall be brought in the county of defendant’s residence. If the parties are both residents of North Carolina and the action is filed where plaintiff resides, and plaintiff thereafter leaves the state and ceases to be a resident, then the action may be removed to the county in which defendant resides.