Involuntary Commitments

Resources 

If you think someone is a danger to themselves or others contact a Local Agency in your area. 

NC Facilities Designated for the Custody & Treatment of Individuals Under Petitions for Involuntary Commitment

IVC Process Flow Chart

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or chat at www.988lifeline.org

Psychiatric Advance Directives (PADs) are legal documents that allow persons with mental illness to state, in advance of a crisis, their preferences for treatment. For more information please visit Crisis Navigation Project.

Legal Forms for Hospital/Provider Use

Effective April 1, 2024, Session Law 2023-103 requires electronic filing of documents related to the involuntary commitment process in counties that have implemented the electronic filing system commonly known as eCourts.  Faxing or submission through secure electronic transmission will no longer be allowed in those counties in Tracks 1-3, as listed on the eCourts | North Carolina Judicial Branch (nccourts.gov) website.  You will need to create a Firm Account to gain access to eFile North Carolina.  To register for a Firm Account, please visit eFile NC - Landing Page (tylertech.cloud).  Individual practitioners would also register for a Firm Account.  For larger organizations, please also create administrators for your site.  Individuals can register for training here or through the eFiling section at https://www.nccourts.gov/ecourts.  

Frequently Used Forms

Additional Forms 

  • 5-72-20A, Emergency Certificate (with transfer request)
  • 5-72-20B, Emergency Certificate 
  • 5-73-24, Evaluation for Admission, Continued Stay
  • 5-76-24, Request for Hearing
  • 5-79-23A, Change in Commitment Recommendation 
  • 5-79-23B, Change in Commitment Status
  • 5-82-04, Request for Return Escapee or Conditional Releasee
  • 5-83-24, Notice of Return of Escapee or Conditional Releasee 

Other related court forms for commitment are available at www.nccourts.org.

Supporting Information 

Commitment Examiner Training

Below are introductory modules. Reviewing these do not qualify a licensed professional as a commitment examiner. To become a Certified Commitment Examiner, please email Tanya Thacker at the email address below. 

Involuntary Commitment Module 1:  Introduction; Understanding the New Involuntary Commitment Forms

  • Since the creation of this video, Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) have been renamed Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHC), and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) are now able to become Commitment Examiners.

Involuntary Commitment Module 2, Part 1: The Criteria for Commitment
Involuntary Commitment Module 2, Part 2: The Commitment Procedure

Contact 

For general information about the involuntary commitment process please contact us at IVCCommunication@dhhs.nc.gov