Yes. The abuser or stalker must be personally served with a copy of your petition and the temporary no-contact order (if there is one) as well as notice of the hearing where the judge will decide whether or not to grant you a final civil no-contact order.¹ The legal papers (summons, notice, temporary order) will be served upon the respondent personally by the sheriff and if the sheriff cannot locate the respondent, s/he can be served by publication, which is explained in the law here (go to subsection (j1)).²

¹ NCGS § 50C-3(b)
² NCGS §§ 50C-3(b); 1A-4(j)