"They are not official."

Ця фраза, якби була вжита у множині (officials), могла б означати -

"Вони не посадовці (чиновники)".

Official = a person holding public office or having official duties, especially as a representative of an organization or government department.

Синоніми: officer, officeholder, administrator, executive, appointee, functionary, bureaucrat.

Приклад:

"The official added that the responsibility to pay these fees rests solely with the rights holders to whom the quotas are issued."

"An official on duty said the situation is changing too quickly."