diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c99d951ae..687962432 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ We're now on the Maven Central Repository. Add the following to your POM file to
 <dependency>
 	<groupId>com.microsoft.sqlserver</groupId>
 	<artifactId>mssql-jdbc</artifactId>
-	<version>12.8.0.jre11</version>
+	<version>12.8.1.jre11</version>
 </dependency>
 ```
 The driver can be downloaded from [Microsoft](https://aka.ms/downloadmssqljdbc). For driver version 12.1.0 and greater, please use the jre11 version when using Java 11 or greater, and the jre8 version when using Java 8.
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ To get the latest version of the driver, add the following to your POM file:
 <dependency>
 	<groupId>com.microsoft.sqlserver</groupId>
 	<artifactId>mssql-jdbc</artifactId>
-	<version>12.8.0.jre11</version>
+	<version>12.8.1.jre11</version>
 </dependency>
 ```
 
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ Projects that require either of the two features need to explicitly declare the
 <dependency>
 	<groupId>com.microsoft.sqlserver</groupId>
 	<artifactId>mssql-jdbc</artifactId>
-	<version>12.8.0.jre11</version>
+	<version>12.8.1.jre11</version>
 	<scope>compile</scope>
 </dependency>
 
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ Projects that require either of the two features need to explicitly declare the
 <dependency>
 	<groupId>com.microsoft.sqlserver</groupId>
 	<artifactId>mssql-jdbc</artifactId>
-	<version>12.8.0.jre11</version>
+	<version>12.8.1.jre11</version>
 	<scope>compile</scope>
 </dependency>
 
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ When setting 'useFmtOnly' property to 'true' for establishing a connection or cr
 <dependency>
 	<groupId>com.microsoft.sqlserver</groupId>
 	<artifactId>mssql-jdbc</artifactId>
-	<version>12.8.0.jre11</version>
+	<version>12.8.1.jre11</version>
 </dependency>
 
 <dependency>
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ Preview releases happen approximately monthly between stable releases. This give
 You can see what is going into a future release by monitoring [Milestones](https://github.com/Microsoft/mssql-jdbc/milestones) in the repository.
 
 ### Version conventions
-Starting with 6.0, stable versions have an even minor version. For example, 6.0, 6.2, 6.4, 7.0, 7.2, 7.4, 8.2, 8.4, 9.2, 9.4, 10.2, 11.2, 12.2, 12.4, 12.6, 12.8. Preview versions have an odd minor version. For example, 6.1, 6.3, 6.5, 7.1, 7.3, 8.1, 9.1, 10.1, 11.1, 12.1, 12.3, 12.5, 12.7, and so on.
+Starting with 6.0, stable versions have an even minor version. For example, 6.0, 6.2, 6.4, 7.0, 7.2, 7.4, 8.2, 8.4, 9.2, 9.4, 10.2, 11.2, 12.2, 12.4, 12.6, 12.8. Preview versions have an odd minor version. For example, 6.1, 6.3, 6.5, 7.1, 7.3, 8.1, 9.1, 10.1, 11.1, 12.1, 12.3, 12.5, 12.7, 12.9, and so on.
 
 ## Contributors 
 Special thanks to everyone who has contributed to the project. 
diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index 8886d0d52..5ee38e905 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -11,8 +11,8 @@
 
 apply plugin: 'java'
 
-version = '12.8.0'
-def releaseExt = ''
+version = '12.9.0'
+def releaseExt = '-preview'
 def jreVersion = ""
 def testOutputDir = file("build/classes/java/test")
 def archivesBaseName = 'mssql-jdbc'
diff --git a/mssql-jdbc_auth_LICENSE b/mssql-jdbc_auth_LICENSE
index fad60a5d5..b9ebea4ff 100644
--- a/mssql-jdbc_auth_LICENSE
+++ b/mssql-jdbc_auth_LICENSE
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 MICROSOFT SOFTWARE LICENSE TERMS
-MICROSOFT JDBC DRIVER 12.8.0 FOR SQL SERVER
+MICROSOFT JDBC DRIVER 12.9.0 FOR SQL SERVER
 
 These license terms are an agreement between you and Microsoft Corporation (or one of its affiliates). They apply to the software named above and any Microsoft services or software updates (except to the extent such services or updates are accompanied by new or additional terms, in which case those different terms apply prospectively and do not alter your or Microsoft’s rights relating to pre-updated software or services). IF YOU COMPLY WITH THESE LICENSE TERMS, YOU HAVE THE RIGHTS BELOW.  BY USING THE SOFTWARE, YOU ACCEPT THESE TERMS.
 
diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index 0e2c02ece..6ecea130e 100644
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 	<modelVersion>4.0.0</modelVersion>
 	<groupId>com.microsoft.sqlserver</groupId>
 	<artifactId>mssql-jdbc</artifactId>
-	<version>12.8.0</version>
+	<version>12.9.0</version>
 	<packaging>jar</packaging>
 	<name>Microsoft JDBC Driver for SQL Server</name>
 	<description>
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@
 			Default testing enabled with SQL Server 2019 (SQLv15) -->
 		<excludedGroups>xSQLv12,xSQLv15,NTLM,MSI,reqExternalSetup,clientCertAuth,fedAuth,kerberos</excludedGroups>
 		<!-- Use -preview for preview release, leave empty for official release. -->
-		<releaseExt></releaseExt>
+		<releaseExt>-preview</releaseExt>
 		<!-- Driver Dependencies -->
 		<org.osgi.core.version>6.0.0</org.osgi.core.version>
 		<azure-security-keyvault-keys.version>4.7.3</azure-security-keyvault-keys.version>
diff --git a/src/main/java/com/microsoft/sqlserver/jdbc/SQLJdbcVersion.java b/src/main/java/com/microsoft/sqlserver/jdbc/SQLJdbcVersion.java
index e246c1844..2f76db4f8 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/microsoft/sqlserver/jdbc/SQLJdbcVersion.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/microsoft/sqlserver/jdbc/SQLJdbcVersion.java
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 
 final class SQLJdbcVersion {
     static final int MAJOR = 12;
-    static final int MINOR = 8;
+    static final int MINOR = 9;
     static final int PATCH = 0;
     static final int BUILD = 0;
     /*
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ final class SQLJdbcVersion {
      * 1. Set to "-preview" for preview release.
      * 2. Set to "" (empty String) for official release.
      */
-    static final String RELEASE_EXT = "";
+    static final String RELEASE_EXT = "-preview";
 
     private SQLJdbcVersion() {
         throw new UnsupportedOperationException(SQLServerException.getErrString("R_notSupported"));