diff --git a/.github/CODEOWNERS b/.github/CODEOWNERS
index 6f8f53c2677..cd5db6d0c82 100644
--- a/.github/CODEOWNERS
+++ b/.github/CODEOWNERS
@@ -33,3 +33,6 @@ buildscripts/tests/sbom_linter/*
 buildscripts/tests/sbom_linter/inputs/*
 src/third_party/scripts/gen_thirdpartyreadme.py
 src/third_party/scripts/README.third_party.md.template
+
+# Changes to WT sources can be approved by wiredtiger release team
+src/third_party/wiredtiger/ @10gen/wiredtiger-release