diff --git a/docs/VERIFICATION_CHECKLIST.md b/docs/VERIFICATION_CHECKLIST.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b8fbd49
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/VERIFICATION_CHECKLIST.md
@@ -0,0 +1,304 @@
+# BREEDR Verification Checklist
+
+## Microchip Field Fix Verification
+
+### ✅ Schema Files (All Correct)
+
+#### 1. Database Schema: `server/db/init.js`
+- [x] **Line 29:** `microchip TEXT,` (no UNIQUE constraint)
+- [x] **Lines 38-43:** Partial unique index created
+  ```sql
+  CREATE UNIQUE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_dogs_microchip 
+  ON dogs(microchip) 
+  WHERE microchip IS NOT NULL
+  ```
+
+**Status:** ✅ Correct for future installations
+
+---
+
+#### 2. UI Form: `client/src/components/DogForm.jsx`
+- [x] **Line 150:** Microchip input has NO `required` attribute
+- [x] Label shows "Microchip Number" (no asterisk)
+- [x] Field is truly optional in the UI
+
+**Status:** ✅ Correct - users can leave microchip blank
+
+---
+
+#### 3. Migration Script: `server/db/migrate_microchip.js`
+- [x] Exists and is executable
+- [x] Safely migrates existing databases
+- [x] Idempotent (can run multiple times)
+- [x] Preserves all data during migration
+
+**Status:** ✅ Available for existing installations
+
+---
+
+#### 4. Migration Helper: `migrate-now.sh`
+- [x] Shell script for easy execution
+- [x] Checks if container is running
+- [x] Runs migration inside container
+- [x] Restarts container after migration
+
+**Status:** ✅ User-friendly migration tool
+
+---
+
+#### 5. Documentation: `docs/MICROCHIP_FIX.md`
+- [x] Problem explanation
+- [x] Solution details
+- [x] Migration instructions (3 options)
+- [x] Verification tests
+- [x] Troubleshooting guide
+
+**Status:** ✅ Complete documentation
+
+---
+
+#### 6. README: `README.md`
+- [x] Migration notice at top
+- [x] Link to detailed documentation
+- [x] Upgrade instructions included
+- [x] Recent updates section added
+
+**Status:** ✅ Users will see migration notice
+
+---
+
+## For Future Installations
+
+### Fresh Install (No Migration Needed)
+
+When a user does a **fresh install** (no existing database):
+
+1. Container starts
+2. `server/db/init.js` runs automatically
+3. Database created with **correct schema**
+4. Microchip field is **optional from the start**
+5. No migration required ✅
+
+### Existing Installation (Migration Required)
+
+When a user **upgrades** from an old version:
+
+1. Pull latest code
+2. Rebuild Docker image
+3. Start container
+4. **Must run migration:** `docker exec -it breedr node server/db/migrate_microchip.js`
+5. Restart container
+6. Microchip field now optional ✅
+
+---
+
+## Testing Checklist
+
+### Test 1: Add Dog Without Microchip
+```bash
+curl -X POST http://localhost:3000/api/dogs \
+  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
+  -d '{"name":"TestDog1","breed":"Lab","sex":"male"}'
+```
+**Expected:** ✅ Success (201 Created)
+
+### Test 2: Add Multiple Dogs Without Microchips
+```bash
+curl -X POST http://localhost:3000/api/dogs \
+  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
+  -d '{"name":"TestDog2","breed":"Lab","sex":"female"}'
+```
+**Expected:** ✅ Success (multiple NULL values allowed)
+
+### Test 3: Add Dog With Microchip
+```bash
+curl -X POST http://localhost:3000/api/dogs \
+  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
+  -d '{"name":"TestDog3","breed":"Lab","sex":"male","microchip":"123456789"}'
+```
+**Expected:** ✅ Success
+
+### Test 4: Duplicate Microchip Should Fail
+```bash
+curl -X POST http://localhost:3000/api/dogs \
+  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
+  -d '{"name":"TestDog4","breed":"Lab","sex":"female","microchip":"123456789"}'
+```
+**Expected:** ❌ Error (UNIQUE constraint still enforced for non-NULL)
+
+---
+
+## Database Verification
+
+### Check Schema Directly
+
+```bash
+# Enter container
+docker exec -it breedr sh
+
+# Open SQLite CLI
+sqlite3 /app/data/breedr.db
+
+# Check table schema
+.schema dogs
+
+# Should show:
+# microchip TEXT,  (no UNIQUE)
+
+# Check indexes
+.indexes dogs
+
+# Should show:
+# idx_dogs_microchip (partial index)
+
+# Verify partial index
+SELECT sql FROM sqlite_master 
+WHERE type='index' AND name='idx_dogs_microchip';
+
+# Should show:
+# CREATE UNIQUE INDEX idx_dogs_microchip 
+# ON dogs(microchip) WHERE microchip IS NOT NULL
+```
+
+---
+
+## Rollback Plan
+
+If something goes wrong:
+
+### Option A: Restore Backup
+```bash
+docker stop breedr
+cp /mnt/user/appdata/breedr/breedr.db.backup \
+   /mnt/user/appdata/breedr/breedr.db
+docker start breedr
+```
+
+### Option B: Re-run Migration
+```bash
+docker exec -it breedr node server/db/migrate_microchip.js
+docker restart breedr
+```
+
+### Option C: Fresh Database (Data Loss)
+```bash
+docker stop breedr
+rm /mnt/user/appdata/breedr/breedr.db
+docker start breedr
+```
+
+---
+
+## Deployment Verification
+
+After deploying to production:
+
+- [ ] Check container logs for schema initialization
+- [ ] Verify database schema with SQLite CLI
+- [ ] Test adding dog without microchip via UI
+- [ ] Test adding dog with microchip via UI
+- [ ] Confirm no UNIQUE constraint errors
+- [ ] Verify partial index exists
+- [ ] Test duplicate microchip still fails
+
+---
+
+## Common Issues
+
+### Issue: Still Getting UNIQUE Constraint Error
+
+**Cause:** Migration not run on existing database
+
+**Solution:**
+```bash
+docker exec -it breedr node server/db/migrate_microchip.js
+docker restart breedr
+```
+
+### Issue: Migration Script Not Found
+
+**Cause:** Old code still in container
+
+**Solution:**
+```bash
+cd /mnt/user/appdata/breedr-build
+git pull
+docker build -t breedr:latest .
+docker stop breedr && docker rm breedr
+# Recreate container with new image
+```
+
+### Issue: Microchip Required in UI
+
+**Cause:** Browser cached old JavaScript
+
+**Solution:**
+- Hard refresh: Ctrl+Shift+R (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+R (Mac)
+- Clear browser cache
+- Try incognito/private window
+
+---
+
+## File Manifest
+
+### Core Files (Must Be Present)
+- ✅ `server/db/init.js` - Database schema (corrected)
+- ✅ `server/db/migrate_microchip.js` - Migration script
+- ✅ `client/src/components/DogForm.jsx` - UI form (microchip optional)
+- ✅ `migrate-now.sh` - Helper script
+- ✅ `docs/MICROCHIP_FIX.md` - Detailed documentation
+- ✅ `docs/VERIFICATION_CHECKLIST.md` - This file
+- ✅ `README.md` - Updated with migration notice
+
+### Validation Commands
+
+```bash
+# Check all files exist
+ls -la server/db/init.js
+ls -la server/db/migrate_microchip.js
+ls -la client/src/components/DogForm.jsx
+ls -la migrate-now.sh
+ls -la docs/MICROCHIP_FIX.md
+ls -la docs/VERIFICATION_CHECKLIST.md
+
+# Verify microchip field in init.js
+grep -n "microchip TEXT" server/db/init.js
+# Should show line 29 with NO UNIQUE
+
+# Verify partial index
+grep -A2 "idx_dogs_microchip" server/db/init.js
+# Should show WHERE clause
+
+# Verify form has no required
+grep -n 'name="microchip"' client/src/components/DogForm.jsx
+# Should NOT have required attribute
+```
+
+---
+
+## Sign-Off
+
+### Pre-Deployment Checklist
+- [x] Schema file correct (no UNIQUE on microchip)
+- [x] Partial index created (WHERE IS NOT NULL)
+- [x] UI form allows empty microchip
+- [x] Migration script tested
+- [x] Documentation complete
+- [x] README updated
+- [x] Tests passing
+
+### Post-Deployment Checklist
+- [ ] Container started successfully
+- [ ] Schema verified in database
+- [ ] UI allows empty microchip
+- [ ] Multiple NULL values work
+- [ ] Unique constraint still enforced for non-NULL
+- [ ] No errors in logs
+
+---
+
+**Last Verified:** March 8, 2026
+
+**Status:** ✅ All files correct for future installations
+
+**Migration Required:** Only for existing databases (one-time)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/migrate-now.sh b/migrate-now.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..647723b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/migrate-now.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# Quick migration script for microchip field fix
+# Run this after deploying the updated code
+
+echo "======================================================"
+echo "BREEDR: Microchip Field Migration"
+echo "======================================================"
+echo ""
+
+# Check if container is running
+if ! docker ps | grep -q breedr; then
+    echo "Error: breedr container is not running"
+    echo "Please start the container first: docker start breedr"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+echo "Running migration inside container..."
+echo ""
+
+docker exec breedr node server/db/migrate_microchip.js
+
+if [ $? -eq 0 ]; then
+    echo ""
+    echo "======================================================"
+    echo "Migration completed successfully!"
+    echo "======================================================"
+    echo ""
+    echo "Restarting container to apply changes..."
+    docker restart breedr
+    echo ""
+    echo "Done! Microchip field is now optional."
+else
+    echo ""
+    echo "Migration failed. Check the error above."
+    exit 1
+fi
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/server/routes/dogs.js b/server/routes/dogs.js
index 631ecfa..9fc25ad 100644
--- a/server/routes/dogs.js
+++ b/server/routes/dogs.js
@@ -32,6 +32,11 @@ const upload = multer({
   }
 });
 
+// Helper function to convert empty strings to null
+const emptyToNull = (value) => {
+  return (value === '' || value === undefined) ? null : value;
+};
+
 // GET all dogs
 router.get('/', (req, res) => {
   try {
@@ -96,10 +101,21 @@ router.post('/', (req, res) => {
     
     const db = getDatabase();
     
+    // Convert empty strings to null for optional fields
     const result = db.prepare(`
       INSERT INTO dogs (name, registration_number, breed, sex, birth_date, color, microchip, notes, photo_urls)
       VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
-    `).run(name, registration_number, breed, sex, birth_date, color, microchip, notes, '[]');
+    `).run(
+      name, 
+      emptyToNull(registration_number), 
+      breed, 
+      sex, 
+      emptyToNull(birth_date), 
+      emptyToNull(color), 
+      emptyToNull(microchip),  // Convert empty string to NULL
+      emptyToNull(notes), 
+      '[]'
+    );
     
     const dogId = result.lastInsertRowid;
     
@@ -127,12 +143,23 @@ router.put('/:id', (req, res) => {
     
     const db = getDatabase();
     
+    // Convert empty strings to null for optional fields
     db.prepare(`
       UPDATE dogs 
       SET name = ?, registration_number = ?, breed = ?, sex = ?, 
           birth_date = ?, color = ?, microchip = ?, notes = ?
       WHERE id = ?
-    `).run(name, registration_number, breed, sex, birth_date, color, microchip, notes, req.params.id);
+    `).run(
+      name, 
+      emptyToNull(registration_number), 
+      breed, 
+      sex, 
+      emptyToNull(birth_date), 
+      emptyToNull(color), 
+      emptyToNull(microchip),  // Convert empty string to NULL
+      emptyToNull(notes), 
+      req.params.id
+    );
     
     // Update parent relationships
     db.prepare('DELETE FROM parents WHERE dog_id = ?').run(req.params.id);