AOC-CV-634: Motion to Modify Custody
Modify the order the court already signed - name what changed, then prove it with dated facts.
AOC-CV-634 is North Carolina's statewide Motion to Modify Custody. You use it when you need new custody terms in an existing case because circumstances have changed since the current order - not to open a first custody case. The PDF is statewide; filing, service, fees, and any local cover requirements are usually county-specific. If your strongest material is repeated missed exchanges under clear language, you may be closer to enforcement documentation than to a modification rewrite.
Official sources
- NC Judicial Branch form page (AOC-CV-634): https://www.nccourts.gov/documents/forms/motion-to-modify-custody
- AOC-CV-634 PDF (English, Rev. 4/15): https://www.nccourts.gov/assets/documents/forms/cv634-en.pdf?VersionId=jQjs4UiJHUYLql77lhqUq_H5yX9z6TzR
When to use AOC-CV-634
The form states that under G.S. 50-13.7 the moving party asks the court to modify the custody order originally entered and explains how circumstances have changed since the current order. Complete the Certificate of Service and file the original with the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where your case is pending. Counties may require additional local forms, mediation steps, or filing channels not listed on the statewide PDF - confirm locally with official court resources or counsel you hire.
County finish line
Confirm filing channel, fees, service, and any local cover or mediation requirements before you treat a download as filing-ready. County packets may list forms beyond AOC-CV-634 - those lists are local guidance, not statewide rules stated on the Judicial Branch form page.
Local rules and county lookup| Modification lane | Usually not this motion |
|---|---|
| Schedule, care, or home base shifted; old paragraphs cannot run the week. | Operative language is specific; misses repeat (build the log first). |
| You can name dates and neutral anchors for what changed. | You only have adjectives and old history without child-week impact. |
Filing strip
- 1Pull the order language you say no longer fits.
- 2List change facts with dates tied to school, housing, distance, or care.
- 3Draft proposed custody terms a stranger could administer.
- 4Call the clerk: confirm packet, copies, service, and portal path.
NC lane: NC custody modification overview
General support (not NC-specific): modification framing|evidence checklist|denied-time log
Organize your custody modification facts and evidence
MyCustodyCoach can help you gather dated change facts, order anchors, and exhibit ideas in one place before you complete AOC-CV-634 or talk with counsel. MCC does not file forms for you and is not a substitute for a lawyer.
Related guides
More North Carolina forms
State guides (overview)
General support (not North Carolina-specific)
AOC-CV-634 questions
What is North Carolina AOC-CV-634?
AOC-CV-634 is the Administrative Office of the Courts statewide Motion to Modify Custody form. You use it to ask the District Court to change an existing custody order under G.S. 50-13.7. The form caption references the original custody order and any later modifying orders. It is a modification motion, not a first-time custody establishment packet.
Where can I download the official AOC-CV-634 PDF?
The NC Judicial Branch publishes AOC-CV-634 on nccourts.gov at nccourts.gov/documents/forms/motion-to-modify-custody. The English PDF is available from that page (Rev. 4/15). Spanish and Vietnamese versions are also listed there. Use the official Judicial Branch links rather than third-party copies.
When is AOC-CV-634 used to modify custody?
The form states that under G.S. 50-13.7 the moving party asks the court to modify the custody order originally entered on the date shown, and states that circumstances have changed since the current order. You must explain what changed in support of the motion. Whether changed circumstances meet the legal standard is a court decision - confirm your facts with official resources or counsel you hire.
Is AOC-CV-634 filed with the court?
Yes. The form includes a Certificate of Service and a note to the moving party to complete service and file the original with the Clerk of Superior Court. Filing fees, copy counts, e-filing channels, and service steps may vary by county. Check with your county clerk or official local court resources before you treat a download as filing-ready.
Why does a statewide PDF still require county confirmation?
AOC-CV-634 is a statewide form, but clerks handle intake locally. Counties may require additional cover sheets, mediation steps, notarization, or portal accounts that the statewide PDF alone does not list. Local rules and county custody packets can differ. Confirm filing channel, fees, service, and any supplemental forms with your county clerk.
How is custody modification different from enforcement?
AOC-CV-634 asks the court to change custody order language because circumstances have changed. Enforcement asks the court to address non-compliance with existing order language. If your strongest material is repeated missed exchanges under clear operative terms, you may be closer to documentation-first enforcement prep than to a modification rewrite. Sort the story before you caption the motion.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-03
MyCustodyCoach is not a law firm. Court rules, fees, and form versions change by county; confirm what applies to your case with official court resources or counsel you hire.