In Person

In person is an adverb that means “in one’s bodily presence.” Remember that adverbs usually modify verbs, so if you are describing how something was or will be done you want in person.

He seemed shorter in person.

She doesn’t know when she’ll be able to talk to her best friend in person again.

They were required to apply in person for the license.

They held class in person for the first time in months.

He was awestruck meeting his hero in person.

In-Person

In-person is an adjective that describes something done by or with a person who is physically present. Remember that adjectives modify nouns, so if you are describing the quality of a noun (such as a class, interview, or visit) you want in-person.

They had an in-person interview.

In-person classes were canceled for the rest of the semester.

The online game company will be hosting an in-person event next month.

Some doctors are now offering virtual visits as an alternative to in-person visits.

They tallied the in-person votes and then the mail-in votes.

What to remember:

Use in person as an adverb (modifying a verb, adjective, or adverb) and in-person as an adjective (modifying a noun). You can use both in the same sentence, if it will help you to remember how to keep them separate (although it will probably not be a very elegant sentence):

'You'll need to come in person to collect your hyphen at the in-person workshop on "How to properly use hyphens."'