diff --git a/index.d.ts b/index.d.ts
index 816c7fd920..b4dfc0b26b 100644
--- a/index.d.ts
+++ b/index.d.ts
@@ -135,6 +135,17 @@ declare namespace execa {
 		*/
 		readonly stdio?: 'pipe' | 'ignore' | 'inherit' | readonly StdioOption[];
 
+		/**
+		When using the `stdio: 'ipc'` option or `execa.node()`, how messages passed to [`childProcess.send()`](https://nodejs.org/api/child_process.html#child_process_subprocess_send_message_sendhandle_options_callback) are serialized:
+			- `json`: uses `JSON.serialize()`
+			- `advanced`: uses [`v8.serialize()`](https://nodejs.org/api/v8.html#v8_v8_serialize_value)
+
+		See more information [here](https://nodejs.org/api/child_process.html#child_process_advanced_serialization).
+
+		@default 'json'
+		*/
+		readonly serialization?: 'json' | 'advanced';
+
 		/**
 		Prepare child to run independently of its parent process. Specific behavior [depends on the platform](https://nodejs.org/api/child_process.html#child_process_options_detached).
 
diff --git a/index.test-d.ts b/index.test-d.ts
index 7a2e7ea6f6..c9845d12a5 100644
--- a/index.test-d.ts
+++ b/index.test-d.ts
@@ -115,6 +115,7 @@ execa('unicorns', {stdio: 'inherit'});
 execa('unicorns', {
 	stdio: ['pipe', 'ipc', 'ignore', 'inherit', process.stdin, 1, undefined]
 });
+execa('unicorns', {serialization: 'advanced'});
 execa('unicorns', {detached: true});
 execa('unicorns', {uid: 0});
 execa('unicorns', {gid: 0});
diff --git a/readme.md b/readme.md
index ee775b667d..2f0653cc38 100644
--- a/readme.md
+++ b/readme.md
@@ -451,6 +451,17 @@ Default: `pipe`
 
 Child's [stdio](https://nodejs.org/api/child_process.html#child_process_options_stdio) configuration.
 
+#### serialization
+
+Type: `string`<br>
+Default: `json`
+
+When using the [`stdio: 'ipc'`](#stdio) option or [`execa.node()`](#execanodescriptpath-arguments-options), how messages passed to [`childProcess.send()`](https://nodejs.org/api/child_process.html#child_process_subprocess_send_message_sendhandle_options_callback) are serialized:
+  - `json`: uses `JSON.serialize()`
+	- `advanced`: uses [`v8.serialize()`](https://nodejs.org/api/v8.html#v8_v8_serialize_value)
+
+See more information [here](https://nodejs.org/api/child_process.html#child_process_advanced_serialization).
+
 #### detached
 
 Type: `boolean`