Step 7 is to petition the court to gain access to your adoption records.
Not all states allow you to petition the court for your records. However, if your state does allow this procedure, it is well worth the effort. Although it sounds complicated and a great deal of trouble, it is not nearly as difficult as it appears to be. Policies to petition courts for adoption records sometimes even vary in different counties in a state.
There are paid services that will petition the court for you if you choose not to do so yourself. A lawyer could also assist you. However, I see little need in most cases to pay someone else to do the petition for you when you can do it yourself. You can find examples from others who have petitioned the courts and use their format to fashion a petition. Each state has different requirements for a petition.
Keep in mind that it may take more than one attempt for a petition to succeed. If your initial attempt fails, do not give up. Some people petition the court several times before succeeding. Judges change as do policies. Befriend someone in the court, and ask them for some feedback.
Some states with the confidential intermediary system allow you to petition the court only for the records to be accessed by the intermediary. However, you may find it necessary to use a confidential intermediary in a state that is difficult for searchers.
The most accepted reason for a petition to succeed is for medical reasons. Some searchers have their doctors attach a letter to their petition supporting their request and outlining why their patient has a need to access their records. A medical need does not always succeed. Many adoptees have petitioned with medical needs and been turned down.
Some states seem to grant most petitions; others grant almost none. Connect with local adoption reform groups and they can probably provide you with information about petitions in your state.