What is the best term for the process where an individual may give up their citizenship?

The process by which an individual gives up their citizenship is known as denaturalization. This term specifically refers to the legal process of losing or being stripped of citizenship, which may occur voluntarily, such as when a citizen renounces their citizenship, or involuntarily, through legal proceedings against individuals who obtained citizenship through fraud or deception.

Denaturalization is distinct from naturalization, which is the process of acquiring citizenship in a country for someone who was not a citizen at birth. Civic duty refers to the responsibilities of citizens, such as voting or serving on juries, and residency pertains to the state of living in a particular place and does not relate to the relinquishment of citizenship. Thus, denaturalization accurately describes the action of giving up citizenship, making it the best choice in this context.