The present study reports the synthesis and characterization of complexes formed among humic (HA) and fulvic acids (FA) derived from poultry wastes and ions Cu 2+ , Fe 2+ and Zn 2+. The release of such metals in a buffer solution simulating the soil solution was also evaluated. After complexation, the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra presented alterations in the absorption bands related to changes in the humic structure, thus indicating the complexation with phenolic and carboxylic groups. Thermogravimetric analyses demonstrated that complexed metals decreased the thermal stability of humic substances. Analyses by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) demonstrated that the release of metals is directly related to the origin of the sample, type of interaction of metal and humic structure and conditions of the medium in which the complex is inserted.