diff --git a/CHANGES.md b/CHANGES.md
index c8b078a2f..435387d7b 100644
--- a/CHANGES.md
+++ b/CHANGES.md
@@ -1,7 +1,32 @@
+Synapse 1.45.0 (2021-10-19)
+===========================
+
+No functional changes since Synapse 1.45.0rc2.
+
+Known Issues
+------------
+
+- A suspected [performance regression](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/11049) which was first reported after the release of 1.44.0 remains unresolved.
+
+  We have not been able to identify a probable cause. Affected users report that setting up a federation sender worker appears to alleviate symptoms of the regression.
+
+Improved Documentation
+----------------------
+
+- Reword changelog to clarify concerns about a suspected performance regression in 1.44.0. ([\#11117](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/11117))
+
+
 Synapse 1.45.0rc2 (2021-10-14)
 ==============================
 
-**Note:** This release candidate [fixes](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/11053) the user directory [bug](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/11025) present in 1.45.0rc1. However, the [performance issue](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/11049) which appeared in v1.44.0 is yet to be resolved.
+This release candidate [fixes](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/11053) a user directory [bug](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/11025) present in 1.45.0rc1.
+
+Known Issues
+------------
+
+- A suspected [performance regression](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/11049) which was first reported after the release of 1.44.0 remains unresolved.
+
+  We have not been able to identify a probable cause. Affected users report that setting up a federation sender worker appears to alleviate symptoms of the regression.
 
 Bugfixes
 --------
@@ -9,7 +34,7 @@ Bugfixes
 - Fix a long-standing bug when using multiple event persister workers where events were not correctly sent down `/sync` due to a race. ([\#11045](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/11045))
 - Fix a bug introduced in Synapse 1.45.0rc1 where the user directory would stop updating if it processed an event from a
   user not in the `users` table. ([\#11053](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/11053))
-- Fix a bug introduced in Synapse v1.44.0 when logging errors during oEmbed processing. ([\#11061](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/11061))
+- Fix a bug introduced in Synapse 1.44.0 when logging errors during oEmbed processing. ([\#11061](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/11061))
 
 
 Internal Changes
@@ -24,9 +49,13 @@ Internal Changes
 Synapse 1.45.0rc1 (2021-10-12)
 ==============================
 
-**Note:** We are aware of [a performance issue](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/11049) introduced in Synapse v1.44.0, as well as [a bug](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/11025) with the user directory when using application services. While this release candidate doesn't fix either of those issues, a second release candidate is expected to come out in a few days to address them.
+**Note:** Media storage providers module that read from Synapse's configuration need changes as of this version, see the [upgrade notes](https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/develop/upgrade#upgrading-to-v1450) for more information.
 
-Media storage providers module that read from Synapse's configuration need changes as of this version, see the [upgrade notes](https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/develop/upgrade#upgrading-to-v1450) for more information.
+Known Issues
+------------
+
+- We are investigating [a performance issue](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/11049) which was reported after the release of 1.44.0.
+- We are aware of [a bug](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/11025) with the user directory when using application services. A second release candidate is expected which will resolve this.
 
 Features
 --------
diff --git a/debian/changelog b/debian/changelog
index f930befbe..5fefb2f2a 100644
--- a/debian/changelog
+++ b/debian/changelog
@@ -1,3 +1,9 @@
+matrix-synapse-py3 (1.45.0) stable; urgency=medium
+
+  * New synapse release 1.45.0.
+
+ -- Synapse Packaging team <packages@matrix.org>  Tue, 19 Oct 2021 11:18:53 +0100
+
 matrix-synapse-py3 (1.45.0~rc2) stable; urgency=medium
 
   * New synapse release 1.45.0~rc2.
diff --git a/synapse/__init__.py b/synapse/__init__.py
index ab90093e7..97452f34f 100644
--- a/synapse/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/__init__.py
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ try:
 except ImportError:
     pass
 
-__version__ = "1.45.0rc2"
+__version__ = "1.45.0"
 
 if bool(os.environ.get("SYNAPSE_TEST_PATCH_LOG_CONTEXTS", False)):
     # We import here so that we don't have to install a bunch of deps when