North Carolina law allows you to proceed with a divorce even if you do not know the current address of your spouse. This is a very difficult process and is full of procedural landmines. It is one in which a good attorney will be needed (and maybe a good private investigator).
First, take action to attempt to locate your spouse. Contact family members, friends, former coworkers, or anyone else who might know your spouse’s whereabouts.
Utilize resources on the Internet that are designed to help locate people.
Let your attorney know of the efforts you have made to attempt to find your spouse. Inform your lawyer of your spouse’s last known address, as well as any work address or other address where this person may be found. Once your attorney attempts to give notice to your spouse without success, it is possible to proceed with the divorce by giving notice through publication in a newspaper.
While your divorce may be granted following service of notice by publication in a newspaper, it may be more difficult to get other court orders, such as those for child support or alimony, without giving personal notice to your spouse. Talk to your attorney about your options and rights if you do not know where your spouse is living.